Amish don't speak like that

They don't run around saying "thine" and "thou" like they just fell off the Mayflower. There's no reason they would, since they aren't descended from the English. Their history actually begins in Germany and they speak a dialect of German called Pennsylvania Dutch, although most if not all speak perfect English also. I know because I used to live among Amish and Mennonite communities in Lancaster County, PA.

"Thatherton!" wrote in message news:ijxua.57$[email]...

the

speak

That's the way both myself and the Simpsons writers think the Amish talk. So it must be true. Don't come in here spouting your lies.

"Gabagimpy" wrote in message news:0jyua.14623$[email]...

from

Ikso fatso.

They confused the Amish with the Quakers that also have a significant population in Pennsylvania and as recently as 40 years ago did use the informal thou, thee, and thine. Most have given up this practice, but it wouldn't be unheard of to still hear it today.

Erik

And we shoud care why?

"Thatherton!" wrote in message news:ijxua.57$[email]...

the

speak

No one's asking you to care. I thought it might be of interest to some people since Amish were (mis)portrayed on the Simpsons this week and this is a Simpsons news group.

Relax. I was being sarcastic.

"Thatherton!" wrote in message news:HoAua.58$%[email]...

is

I sure hope someone got fired for that one!

I though the Amish don't watch TV... so they wouldn't care anyway.....

"Thatherton!" wrote in message news:HoAua.58$%[email]...

In alt.tv.simpsons on Fri, 9 May 2003 at 13:37:17, David Angelovich wrote :

LOL!

"David Angelovich" wrote in message news:3ebb2271$0$1027$[email]...

I assure you, they were on the internet within minutes registering their disgust.

But realistically, the portrayal is not unique to the Simpsons. That's the sort of way they speak in movies (at least comedies) where the Amish do appear. I think the intent is to show a formality (I have no idea how formal they normall are), rather than a specific origin of their vocabulary.

Michael

Formality?  It's actually quite the opposite.  300 years ago prayer to
God was always in the *informal* thee, thou, and thine.   Some English
sects carried this over to every day life as they felt that there was a
bit of  god in everybody.   Most European languages still have this
formal/informal duality such as 'Sie' and 'Du' in German.

Just what you wanted know.... ;-)

Erik

"Thatherton!" wrote in message news:...

I was about to shout you down with some sort of clever observation like "It's a cartoon, will you frickin' relax?!" or something similar. Then I realized that what you were saying was substantial and interesting.

Flame off. (Sigh)

I grew up in a Mennonite community also. Theyd didn't talk like that either. I describe them to people as "Like the Amish, but with modern conveniences - four-wheel-drives and televisions, for example."

("Tis a fine barn, but sure 'tis no pool, English" "D'oh!")

ff

D'oh-eth.

Pride D'oh-eth before a fall?

In article , "Thatherton!" wrote:

German for "German" is "Deutsch" which was misconstrued at some point as "Dutch" and it stuck.

Strange that something like this could happen like this on TV it's usually so accurate in its portrayal of various religious, ethic and social groups.

Seriously, comedy or not is there any group of people on the planet who would be happy with their image on TV and movies?

Cynically Depressed wrote in message news:...

I'm happy with the Simpsons' portayal of us, Americans:

Try and stop us! [Uncle Sam holding a globe in his hands]

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