Low German (Plattdeutsch) is spoken by people in Northern Germany (Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg, etc.) and the northeastern Netherlands, as well as diaspora communities, including Mennonites in the Americas (Belize, Canada, Brazil). It's a collection of dialects closely related to Dutch and English, used mainly in rural areas by older generations and for regional identity, with about 5-6 million speakers worldwide, though many are passive or second-language users.
Low German is spoken in the following nine German federal states: Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein and (the northern parts of) Brandenburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt. Within this area, numerous local Low German dialects can be identified.
The language Mennonites traditionally speak is Plautdietsch, which is Low German, called “low” because it originated where the Mennonites trace their ancestry to, in the “Low Countries” (modern-day Netherlands, Belgium and Flanders in France).
Finally, the Amish read prayers and sing in Standard, or High, German (Hochdeitsch) at church services.
Low German is preserved in Northern German dialects. It is considered to be structurally Page 2 closer to Dutch than to High German since the Low Franconian dialects – from which Standard Dutch originates (cf.
Although Dutch and German are related, it is very difficult for speakers of the two languages to understand each other.
When spoken in their purest form, Low German, most Upper German, High Franconian dialects and even some Central German dialects are unintelligible to those versed only in Standard German. However, all German dialects belong to either the dialect continuum of High German or the dialect continuum of Low German.
The most prominent ethnic Mennonite groups are Russian Mennonites (German: Russland-Mennoniten), who formed as an ethnic group in Prussia and South Russia (now Ukraine), but who are mostly of Dutch (both Flemish and Frisian) and North German ancestry and speak Plautdietsch and Mennonites of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage ...
Amish girls typically get married in their early 20s, usually between ages 20 and 22, often shortly after being baptized into the church, which usually happens in their late teens or early twenties. While dating starts around 16 during the Rumspringa period, marriage follows baptism and joining the church, with females often marrying slightly younger than their male partners.
The Old Order Amish Mennonites are a people of Swiss-German background who migrated to the United States during two main periods from 1727-1790 and 1815-1865. The earlier migrants settled in Pennsylvania, while the later settled in Ohio, New York, Indiana, and Illinois.
This expansion is considered the last of the great North Germanic migrations. These seafaring traders, settlers and warriors are commonly referred to as Vikings. The North Germanic peoples of the Viking Age as a whole are sometimes referred to as Norsemen.
The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) in German language learning means focusing on the 20% of words and grammar that yield 80% of conversational understanding, like high-frequency vocabulary (top 1000 words for 75% comprehension) and essential phrases for travel or work, rather than getting bogged down in less common words or complex rules. It's about prioritizing practical communication, learning common words first, and tailoring your studies to your specific goals (e.g., travel, work) to achieve faster, smarter fluency.
Names, such as Schoonmaker, ten Brink, Barkhofen, op de Weeg, Willems and many others betray their Low German origin. If you see one of these surnames, you should believe that the family that carries the name is, or at least had ancestors, from northern Germany.
The 10 PM rule in Germany refers to Nachtruhe, a legally enforced quiet time (usually 10 PM to 6 or 7 AM) where loud activities like music, vacuuming, or DIY are prohibited to ensure neighbors' rest, complementing midday quiet hours (Mittagsruhe) and strict quiet on Sundays, rooted in German law and culture valuing peace in dense housing.
The Amish wedding night will usually be spent in the bride's parent's home, as the couple will need to assist in clean up the following day. They will then spend their first months of marriage – their honeymoon – visiting relatives. (This is when most gifts they receive will be given.)
Therefore, the use of condoms by Amish men is strictly forbidden and condemned in most, if not all, Amish communities.
There is a high degree of inbreeding, resulting in a high frequency of recessive disorders, many of which are seen rarely or are unknown outside of this population. Extensive genealogical records are available, and the average family size is large.
Several denominational statements have set forth the official positions of the Mennonite churches on issues related to families. The 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith stated that marriage should be a monogamous, heterosexual lifetime commitment.
Some Hutterite immigrants immigrated from Germany to Canada. Others immigrated from Germany to Russia and then to Canada. The country of Germany and the surrounding countries. These colonies were farming communities where people lived and worked together.
Some common LGS Mennonite last names include: Bergen, Braun, Klassen, Dyck, Enns, Fehr, Friesen, Froese, Loewen, Martens, Neufeld, Peters, Redekop, Rempel, Sawatzky, Thiessen, Wiebe, and Wall.
Testimonies from those who have dated Germans often reflect a journey of discovery. From initial perceptions of formality and caution, many are pleasantly surprised by the warmth, affection, and unwavering loyalty that their German partners demonstrate as the relationship deepens.
The German versions are slightly less offensive. If used in disbelief, or genuinely inquiring "wtf?": "Was zum Henker?" "Was zum Kuckuck?" As an exclamation "wtf!": "Scheiße!" "Gibt's ja nicht!"
The basic grammar and vocabulary of Yiddish, which is written in the Hebrew alphabet, is Germanic. Yiddish, however, is not a dialect of German but a complete language‚ one of a family of Western Germanic languages, that includes English, Dutch, and Afrikaans.