Categories
Language Tips

Daviess County, Indiana

An Amish home located in Daviess County, Indiana
indiana-map

Daviess County is in the southwest part of Indiana. There are at least 10,000 Amish who speak Pennsylvania Dutch, along with many Mennonite families who also may speak the language.

As with any language, some say certain words differently, and those words really stand out to someone from another area. This is definitely true with Pennsylvania Dutch speakers.

Living in Daviess County myself, I notice some differences in how those in this county say certain words. Part of this may be because the Amish who first settled in Daviess County arrived more directly from Germany to this area.

Southern accent

If you travel to Daviess County or meet someone from here, the first thing that will stand out is their strong southern accent.

But you’ll also notice some other differences.

Since these are regional differences, I will not be putting them in the regular Pennsylvania Dutch Words List. But if you live nearby, this is a good page to bookmark.

ei has a long eye sound

Daviess County Amish say words with the letter combination ei with a long eye sound (similar to parts of Pennsylvania) instead of the more common ay sound.

ww becomes gg

Words that have double w‘s are often said with g‘s.

  • (eyes) awwa = agga
  • (to say) sawwa = sagga

yy becomes gg

A lot of words that have double y‘s in them are said with double g‘s instead.

v and vv become b

Some words with a single v or double v‘s are said with a b.

  • (to have) havva = habba
  • (to die) shtauva = shtauba (sometimes shtarba)
  • (evening) ohvet = ohbet
  • (work/job) eahvet = eahbet (or sometimes arbet)
  • (seven) sivva = sibba

iahra and sei

The word iahra (their) is still used when talking about something that belongs to more than one person. But when talking about something belonging to a woman, most in Daviess County use sei instead of iahra.
Vass is dei fraw sei nohma?

The next time you meet someone from Daviess County, see if you can pick out some of these words.

Categories
Confusing Words Words of the Week

yau and yo

Is there more than one way to say ‘yes’ in Pennsylvania Dutch? Yes, actually.

  1. yes = yau (to agree; opposite of no)
  2. yes = yo (definitely yes or absolutely yes; for emphasis)
  3. yes = yo (actually yes)

1. yau = yes

The most common way you’ll say yes in Pennsylvania Dutch is yau.

Yau means exactly what you’d expect it to mean—yes. Use yau when answering questions. It’s uncomplicated, and the opposite of nay (no).

yo

While yo also means yes, knowing when and how to use yo is trickier and depends on the conversation.

… knowing when and how to use yo is trickier and depends on the conversation.

Let’s look at 2 of the most common ways to use yo in a Pennsylvania Dutch conversation.

2. yo = definitely yes

In some areas, yo is used to emphasize yes—as in, definitely yes. It can be used either in response to a question, or to a statement you really agree with.

Examples of definitely yes

Vitt samm ice cream?
Yo, ich du!

Eah is reeli am vaxa.
Yo, yo, yo.

3. yo = yes (actually)

You can also use yo for yes when responding to a question or statement that the other person assumes the answer to is no. Probably the closest to English would be: actually yes.

Example:

Person 1: ’Sis am shnaya grawt nau. Du bisht nett am do hivva kumma, gell?
Person 2: Yo. Ich zayl glei datt sei.

In the example, person 1 doesn’t expect person 2 to be coming over since it’s snowing. However, person 2 says the equivalent of, “Actually, yes. I will be there soon.”

Another example:

Person 1: Da Henry shaft nett heit, gell?
Person 2: Yo. Eah shaft biss middawk.

Again, person 1 thought Henry wasn’t working today. But person 2 says that actually (yes), he works until lunch.

As you can imagine, this use of yo is pretty limited and you probably won’t use it very often. But it’s good to know in case you hear someone else say it to you.

Categories
Confusing Words Words of the Week

nevlich and dufftich

A photo of foggy day with a pond and tree in view.

Both nevlich and dufftich are adjectives (description words) that mean foggy.

Foggy adj = nevlich (when speaking about the weather)

Foggy adj = dufftich (as in fogged up; glasses, windows, etc)

💡 What’s the Difference?

nevlich

Heit is gans nevlich draus.

Use nevlich (foggy) when you’re talking about the weather—when it’s foggy outside and hard to see.

’Sis gans nevlich dimeiya.

’Sis am reiyra draus un nevlich dimeiya.

dufftich

Di fenshtahra sinn dufftich.

On the other hand, use dufftich (foggy) when talking about an object that is fogged up; usually from steam or a difference in temperature—such as glass, windows, mirror, or eyeglasses.

Dufftich can also be used jokingly:

Mei brain is dufftich dimeiya.

Categories
Confusing Words Words of the Week

mayna, ohgukka, da view

view / have opinion verb = mayna (to have a set opinion or view about something)
Dayl leit mayna es si immah recht sinn.

view verb = ohgukka (to look at something a certain way; perhaps even by comparing)
Boviah sacha ohgukka vi anri doon.

view noun = da view (an opinion or viewpoint)
Avvah, sell is da letz view.

💡 What’s the Difference?

While all three words look the same in English, mayna is a verb that refers to the action of having a certain (usually set or established) view or opinion about something.

Ohgukka is also a verb, but means to look at something a certain way; perhaps considering and comparing things.

On the other hand, da view is a noun that refers to the viewpoint or opinion itself.

Categories
Language Tips

Using Genders with Inanimate Objects

In English, most inanimate objects are talked about with the pronoun it. But some things — cars, boats and ships, and tools — can be referred to as if they are a he or a she. These are called metaphorical genders.

“I just saw a classic Corvette. She‘s a beaut!”

“I got the mower ready. I just had to clean him out.”

In the same way, most nouns in Pennsylvania Dutch are referred to with the neuter pronoun it (es). But a small number of nouns can be talked about as if they were a he (eah/een) or a she (see). This is based on the gender of the noun.

Since not every noun can be talked about like this, below is a small (and very incomplete) list of some of them.

ENPGExamples
Bibledi BivvelDi Bivvel hott goot advice. See helft millions leit ensahs finna.
Earthdi eahtEs hott een kolfa sayna es Gott di eaht gmacht hott, un zayld see aw sayva.
songda songMa gleicha da song. Eah is fann fa singa!
Vella song 15 singa. Eah’s hayst…
videoda videoDess is’n importandah video. So ich vett een veisa.
Nouns in Pennsylvania Dutch that use metaphorical genders as pronouns.

Using Metaphorical Genders

It makes perfect sense to refer to people with the pronouns he/him (Dad, son, farmer) or she/her (Mom, daughter *, wife). That’s the same with Pennsylvania Dutch. Keep using those pronouns.

But you can view these metaphorical genders as a bonus that can season your Deitsh conversations.

So, when in doubt about a certain noun, use the it pronoun (es) for inanimate objects. While it may sound a little off to a native speaker, they’ll still understand what you’re saying.

* Footnote 1: In many areas and communities, an unmarried girl or daughter is referred to with the neuter pronoun (es maydel / ’s Esther) until they are married.

Categories
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Grammar: This and That

This and that are used with singular nouns and these and those are used with plural nouns. In these examples, note the way the sentences below change based on whether the noun is singular or plural.

This and That
(singular nouns)

This and that are used when talking about singular nouns.

Change the noun and watch how this and that change based on the noun’s gender.

    Dess buch is gree.
    This book is green.

    Dess verse is shay.
    This verse is nice.

    Dee shrift is encouraging.
    This scripture is encouraging.

    Deah breef is funn diah.
    This letter is from you all.

    Deah mann voond do in Loogootee.
    This man lives here in Loogootee.

    Dee fraw voond do in Loogootee.
    This woman lives here in Loogootee.

    Sell buch is gree.
    That book is gree.

    Sell verse is shay.
    That verse is nice.

    Selli shrift is encouraging.
    That scripture is encouraging.

    Sellah breef is funn diah.
    That letter is from you all.

    Sellah mann voond do in Loogootee.
    That man lives here in Loogootee

    Selli fraw voond do in Loogootee..
    That woman lives here in Loogootee.

    This and That
    (when not next to a noun)

    This and that stay in their neuter forms (dess and sell) when they’re not next to a noun.

      Dess is en grohs buch.
      This is a big book.

      Dess is en glay haus.
      This is a small house.

      Dess is en brayti deah.
      This is a wide door.

      Dess is en katzah breef.
      This is a short letter.

      Sell is en grohs buch.
      That is a big book.

      Sell is en glay haus.
      That is a small house.

      Sell is en brayti deah.
      That is a wide door.

      Sell is en katzah breef.
      That is a short letter.

      These and Those
      (plural nouns)

      These and those are used when referring to plural nouns.

      Change the nouns and notice how these and those stay the same when used with plural nouns.

        Dee bichah sinn gree.
        These books green.

        Dee verses sinn shay.
        These verses are nice.

        Dee shrifta sinn encouraging.
        These scriptures are encouraging.

        Dee breefa sinn funn diah.
        These letters are from you all.

        Dee mennah voona do in Loogootee.
        These men live here in Loogootee.

        Dee veibsleit voona do in Loogootee.
        These women live here in Loogootee.

        Selli bichah sinn gree.
        Those books are gree.

        Selli verses sinn shay.
        Those verses are nice.

        Selli shrifta sinn encouraging.
        Those scriptures are encouraging.

        Selli breefa sinn funn diah.
        Those letters are from you all.

        Selli mennah voona do in Loogootee.
        Those men live here in Loogootee.

        Selli veibsleit voona do in Loogootee..
        Those women live here in Loogootee.

        These and Those
        (when not next to plural nouns)

        These and those stay in their neuter forms (dee and selli) when they’re not next to a noun.

          Dee sinn grohsi bichah.
          These are big books.

          Dee sinn glenni heisah.
          These are small houses.

          Dee sinn brayti deahra.
          These are wide doors.

          Dee sinn katzi breefa.
          These are short letters.

          Selli sinn grohsi bichah.
          Those are big books.

          Selli sinn glenni heisah.
          Those are small houses.

          Selli sinn brayti deahra.
          Those are wide doors.

          Selli sinn katzi breefa.
          Those are short letters.

          Categories
          Grammar Practice Worksheets

          Grammar: Pronouns and Verbs

          Choose different pronouns and nouns below and see how the sentence changes.

            Ich habb en buch.
            I have a book.

            Ich habb en hund.
            I have a dog.

            Ich habb en Bivvel.
            I have a Bible.

            Ich habb en breef.
            I have a letter.

            Du hosht en buch.
            You have a book.

            Du hosht en hund.
            You have a dog.

            Du hosht en Bivvel.
            You have a Bible.

            Du hosht en breef.
            You have a letter.

            Eah hott en buch.
            He has a book.

            Eah hott en hund.
            He has a dog.

            Eah hott en Bivvel.
            He has a Bible.

            Eah hott en breef.
            He has a letter.

            Miah henn en buch.
            We have a book.

            Miah henn en hund.
            We have a dog.

            Miah henn en Bivvel.
            We have a Bible.

            Miah henn en breef.
            We have a letter.

            Diah hend en buch.
            You all have a book.

            Diah hend en hund.
            You all have a dog.

            Diah hend en Bivvel.
            You all have a Bible.

            Diah hend en breef.
            You all have a letter.

            Si henn en buch.
            They have a book.

            Si henn en hund.
            They have a dog.

            Si henn en Bivvel.
            They have a Bible.

            Si henn en breef.
            They have a letter.

            Categories
            Language Tips

            Giving Commands

            In conversation, you’ll eventually need to give commands or instructions in Pennsylvania Dutch. What should you remember about verbs when giving commands?

            Giving commands to one person in Pennsylvania Dutch

            When you give commands in Pennsylvania Dutch to one person, the first verb is conjugated to ich (I) — even though ich is not used in the sentence.

            Since the word ich doesn’t appear in the sentence, you could imagine yourself saying, “I am telling you…”

            Examples

            Kawl mich shpaydah. (Call me later.)

            Mach shuah di deah zu gmacht is. (Make sure the door is closed.)

            Kumm rei. (Come in.)

            Gebb uns en kawl. (Give us a call.)

            Vann du vitt, shreib en note un shikk ’s zu uns. (If you want, write a note and send it to us.)

            In each of the examples above, notice how the first verb is conjugated to ich (I).

            You’ll notice in the last example, shreib (write) and shikk (send) are not at the start of the sentence. But they are at the start of a new thought.

            Giving commands to more than one person in Pennsylvania Dutch

            When you give commands to more than one person in Pennsylvania Dutch, things are slightly different. Instead of conjugating the first verb for ich (I), you conjugate the first verb to diah (you plural) when giving commands to a group.

            Just as with giving commands to one person, diah does not appear in the sentence, but it’s implied since the verb starts the sentence.

            Examples

            Shtobbet sell! ((you all) Stop that!)

            Veiset leevi un respekt zu anri. ((you all) Show love and respect to others.)

            Gukket an’s piktah. ((you all) Look at the picture.)

            Gevvet nett uf! ((you all) Don’t give up!)

            Shpaydah, gevvet uns en kawl. (Later, (you all) give us a call.)

            Again, in each of the examples above, notice how the first verb is conjugated to diah (you plural).

            And once again (see last example), the command is usually at the start of a sentence, but not always. Just make sure it’s at the start of the new thought.

            Bonus Tip: Compound Words Get Split

            You may also notice that some compound words get split apart when used in commands or instruction in Pennsylvania Dutch.

            For example:

            • oh’halda (continue) becomes Hald oh / Haldet oh
            • abheicha (listen) becomes Heich ab / Heichet ab

            This isn’t a full list, but just something to be on the lookout for.

            Categories
            Confusing Words

            Noch vs Nohch

            Both noch and nohch can mean after. They also sound very, very similar. So how can you tell them apart and use them correctly in conversation?

            How to Pronounce Noch and Nohch

            Both words sound very similar.

            Noch is said with less of a long ‘o’ sound (like in English words of and love).

            Nohch is said with a stronger long ‘oh’ sound (like in English words Kohls or coherent).

            After

            While both noch * and nohch † can mean after, it’s what you mean by after that’s important.

            Noch

            Use noch when talking about something that happens at some point later in time, without mention of specifically when.

            Nohch

            Use nohch when talking about something that happens right after or immediately after or following next in order.

            When to use Noch in a sentence

            PDC: Vass fa plans hosht du noch dess?

            EN: What plans do you have after this?

            PDC: Du kansht en buch laysa noch shool.

            EN: You can read a book after school.

            PDC: Ich vesh di ksharra eb un noch alli meal.

            EN: I wash the dishes before and after every meal.

            When to use Nohch in a sentence

            PDC: Vass hott kaebbend nohch es da Johnnie dihaym kumma is?

            EN: What happened right after Johnnie came home?

            PDC: Miah zayla en gebayt sawwa eb un nohch da shtoddi.

            EN: We will say a prayer (right) before and (right) after the study.

            PDC: Leit braucha hilf nohch en disaster.

            EN: People need help (following) after a disaster.

            Summary

            Both noch and nohch can be used to say after. But nohch mentions time and makes it clear that you’re talking about something happening immediately after or next.

            * Footnote 1: The word noch has other meanings, such as another, and still (to come).

            See the Pennsylvania Dutch Words List for more info.

            † Footnote 2: The word nohch is also sometimes used along with other verbs in phrases.

            • nohch gay (go after)
            • nohch gukka (look after)
            Categories
            Language Tips

            Speaking About Location

            In English, when talking about location, there are word combinations that naturally go together. Up here, down there. This is also true in Pennsylvania Dutch. Let’s talk about how to talk about location in Pennsylvania Dutch first.

            Location

            When talking about location in Pennsylvania Dutch, you need at least one of 2 words in your sentence: do (here) and datt (there). These are from the speaker’s point of view.

            location here

            do (here)

            Something close to the speaker

            location there

            datt (there)

            Something away from speaker

            Location in Simple Sentences

            In simple sentences, you may only need to use here and there.

            EN: I am here.
            PDC: Ich binn do.            		EN: You are there.
            PDC: Du bisht datt.
            EN: The cats are here.
            PDC: Di katza sinn do.            		EN: The cats are there.
            PDC: Di katza sinn datt.

            Location in Complex Sentences

            But many times, you’ll need to explain more about where something is. In those cases, you need a preposition. Prepositions go with do (here) and datt (there) and give more details.

            Here are some prepositions that work along with do and datt:

            • in (in)
            • aus (out)
            • ovva/uf (up/on)
            • unna (down/under)
            • ivvah (over)
            EN: I am in here.
            PDC: Ich binn do hinn.            		EN: You are out there.
            PDC: Du bisht datt draus.
            EN: The cats are down here.
            PDC: Di katza sinn do hunna.            		EN: The cats are up there.
            PDC: Di katza sinn datt drovva.

            Note: Do and datt go before the prepositions in the sentence.

            You’ll notice the prepositions listed above become different words. When used with a location word like here and there, they get a prefix added to the front.

            For example:

            • Prepositions that go with do (here) get an h added to the front
              • h + in = hinn
              • h + unna = hunna
            • Prepositions that go with datt (there) get dr added to the front
              • dr + aus = draus
              • dr + ovva = drovva
            Location Chart
            Roothdr
            used with:do (here)datt (there)
            in (in)hinndrinn
            aus (out)hausdraus
            ovva (up)hovvadrovva
            unna (down)hunnadrunna
            ivvah (over)hivvadrivva
            Source: Deitshbooks.com

            Do More With What You’ve Just Learned

            Interactive Worksheet

            Use the interactive worksheet to practice and quiz yourself using location and prepositions in Pennsylvania Dutch to see how the sentence changes.

            For more examples of location and direction words in action, see the Location and Direction (PDF) external link on deitshbooks.com.