Language Is Power

As you may or may not know, the Amish community is well-versed in many languages, seamlessly conversing in three distinct languages. Foremost among them is German, an enduring legacy from their 18th-century settlement days, when they imported numerous German customs, including their language.

Amidst the linguistic tapestry, English and Pennsylvanian Dutch hold their unique places. English was a pragmatic necessity for the early settlers to communicate with the already-established European immigrants upon arriving in North America. Meanwhile, the Amish thoughtfully embraced Pennsylvanian Dutch, a variation of German, for everyday discourse.