Odds and ends from Lancaster County

A couple quick observations from Lancaster County:

I recalled today how Amish usually try to switch to English whenever English people are around.  I was talking to an Amish guy today and one of his friends walked up to ask for help working on the school playground.  Obviously the most comfortable tongue would be PA Dutch, but, seeing I was there, he chose to speak in English.

I also noticed some of the peculiar turns of phrase the Amish sometimes use.  When the guy I was talking to expressed his willingness to help out, he used the phrase ‘just let yourself be heard’.  He actually used the same phrase three times.  I imagine it may be one of those quirky language things that come from a rough translation.

It’s also funny to see Amish in their after-hours clothes.  I talked to one guy today who was wearing boxers and a t-shirt.  Yesterday another young Amish father, decked out in sports shorts and a tee, told me about how he loved skiing and snowboarding.

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    6 Comments

    1. Roni

      I live in Lebanon County. Lebanon County is next to Lancaster County, and, Yes, it does get cold enough for lots of snow.
      Roni

    2. Natalya (talj)

      I love the language thing! How cool that they pick up you were there and are polite enough to take into consideration the possible language barrier 🙂

      I have no idea about the weather there…does it get cold enough for lots of snow?!

    3. this blog is SO interesting! i love to learn about how different people live…and i live in a part of ohio where people always take off for the weekend, saying they’re going over to Amish country for the day~!

    4. Thanks libby! I’m guessing you must be not too far from Holmes or Geauga Counties, unless it’s one of the smaller settlements. Hope you enjoy reading!

      It’s been very mild and nice in Lancaster County the last few days, I do hope it holds up as I spend about 14 hours a day outdoors these days!

    5. George Adamek

      Will Anyone work on Boat covers with Sunbrella

      With the fantastic canvas work on You’re Custom made Buggys . I wondered if anyone would Copy,I will supply the old parts.*See below* Bridge roof, it is approximatly 10’+ – by 10’+ – using [Sunbrella]? We have new replacement Vinyl windows purchased about 11+ – years ago.
      *The Parts* consist of a Sunbrella Roof or top, on pipes already installed , which the vinyl windows hang from.The other part is a Sunbrella bridge mooring cover, at the dock,size about 13’+ – by 18’+ -.The other part is a boot,or cover when vinyl is removed, and top and pipes are folded to be covered.

      Thank You very much for You’re Help in anyway with this job.
      George Adamek

    6. I was visiting Lancaster County the other day and noticed this, too. Languages are funny like that.

      I was in a fabric shop, and found it a little amusing to overhear a conversation between an “Englisch” shopkeeper and an Amish customer, in which the Amish lady spoke perfect (American) English the whole time and the “Englisch” lady switched between English and PA Dutch.

      Another time, I did speak German/PA Dutch with an Amish lady, but I think it was mostly because she thought German was my first language…

      We were staying with a Mennonite family, and Mrs Zimmerman said that, although her husband actually spoke PA Dutch, when he tried to use it with Amish people, they always switched back to English because they could tell that was his preferred language.