§ 1. The English Infusion.
Pennsylvania German has long been recognised as a dialect with certain English words, which are sometimes inflected in the German manner. Sportive examples were quoted in the last century, and one is occasionally cited as characteristic, which occurs in Joh. Dav. Schöpf's Travels (1783-4) published at Erlangen, in 1788, and thus quoted by Radlof,[29] but in German characters:—
"Mein Stallion ist über die Fehnsz getscheumpt, und hat dem Nachbor sein whiet abscheulich gedämatscht." (My stallion jumped over the fence and horribly damaged my neighbor's wheat.)
This example is probably spurious and a joke, because PG. 'hengscht' and 'weetsǝ' (instead of stallion and wheat) are in common use—for the Pennsylvania farmer uses German terms for introduced European objects, and if he calls rye 'karn' (G. korn), instead of roggen, this itself is a German name for what is in some localities regarded as corn by excellence. Another example of Schöpf has 'geklaret land' (cleared land), and 'barghen' (bargain), which are correct.
The German brings with him a vocabulary which is not quite adapted to the objects around him, and he improves his language by dropping such of his words as have an indefinite meaning, replacing them with terms which have an exact and scientific value, where High German is weak and indefinite—having failed to Latinise its vocabulary at the revival of learning. The Pennsylvanian uses 'fenss' or 'fents' (not "fehnsz") for the English fence, because the German zaun is equally a hedge; he uses 'flaur' (or 'flauer' Eng. flour) as well as the German mehl, because the latter is equivalent to English meal; he seizes upon bargain as better than anything in his vernacular; and he restricts G. wagen (with the sound of 'waghǝ') to wagon, adopting a variation like "bändwagen" for a vehicle used by a musical band, using 'kerritsch' ("carriagemacher") for the English carriage, altho 'kutsch' (G. kutsche) is also in use. He adopts English expressions for clearing land and speaks of a clearing (which he makes feminine) because the destruction of forests by chopping and burning is not a European practice. Railroads were probably built in America before they were in use in Germany, and in Pennsylvania, our English name was imitated in 'reelroot' ('Plankenroad' is in print) or, as in many other cases, the word was translated into "riegelweg." At a later date the foreign name "eisenbahn" was brought in by later immigrants—and "riegel-bahn" is in use.
§ 2. Newspapers.
The Pennsylvania German appreciates humor, and to avoid the humorous and often illegitimate use of English words, the first examples in these pages will be selected from the advertisements of about a dozen different newspapers, all printed in the barbarous German character, and published at distant points in Pennsylvania. In such compositions, the attention of the public is called to common objects in a vocabulary which can be accepted without hesitation, and in a style somewhat above the colloquial, in which a horse is called 'gaul' and not pferd ('pfært') as usual in print. The spelling is sometimes English and sometimes more or less Germanised, without much affecting the pronunciation, as in "store" (a retail shop[30]) or "stohr" (buchstore, storehalter, stohrhaus), which are equally 'schtoor'; "frame," (främe, främ, frähm), are equally the English frame; "schap" (shap, schop, schopp, shop, pl. schöp); "township" (townschip, taunschip); "county" and "caunty"; "turnpike" and "turnpeik"; "cash" and "casch."
In some localities, English names of streets like King, Queen, High, Water, Chesnut Street, are used in German speech and print, and in others, Königstrasze, Quienstrasze, Highstrasze, Wasserstrasze and Chesnutstrasze, are preferred.
As parenthetic words like (Dry Goods) occur in the originals, explanations will be [in brackets], and attention will be called to strictly English words by putting them in italics.
The "Pennsylvanische Staats-Zeitung" (published at Harrisburg, the State Capital) claims a larger circulation than any English journal of that city, and the number for Nov. 25, 1869, will be quoted here in the original spelling. Here, where English introduced words might be expected throughout, certain French words are adopted from the German dictionaries, such as reparaturen, delikatessen, lagerbier salon (also saloon),[31] etablissement, engagiren, quotiren, instruiren, autorisiren, ordonnanz. Others are rather English than French, as pavements, arrangements, publikationspreisen, textbücher, jury, city, controle ( ... so wie dasz die City alleinige Controle über denselben Committee....), connektion, construktion, order, governör, provisionen, groceries.
Beste Familien-Mehl, in Fässern [in another journal—Roggenflauer per bärrel—preim flaur] superfine per Bärrel; Prime weitzen; Roggen [rye] per Buschel. Korn [maize or indian corn, properly called Welschkorn in the same column under the quoted Lancaster prices, where "Korn" means rye.] Hafer; Middlings; Shorts.
In the Price-current we find—
Fische ... Rock [Labrax lineatus]; Pike [for Hecht, pl. Hechte, a known term]; Halibut; Haddock; Sturgeon; Trout; White Perch [Labrax albus, vel mucronatus]; Weisze Fische [Coregonus albus]; Härringe; Catfische [Pimelodus, more commonly called 'katsǝfisch'].
Fleische ... Roast Beef per Pfund; Rump Steaks; Surloin; Hammelfleisch; Schweinfleisch; Gedörrtes Beef [Getrocknetes Rindsfleisch is quoted from Pittsburg]; Beef Schinken; ... Mess Pork; ... Schmalz in kegs; Lard-Oel; Butter (roll ... print) [with 'roll' and 'print' in Roman type]; Molasses [commonly called mǝlássich]; Süszkartoffeln Schellbarks [nuts of the shell-bark hickory]; Aepfelbutter (Latwerg) [G. Latwerge, PG. látwærik, translated from E. apple-butter].
In the humorous department we find—
Ein ähnliches Räthsel wie sell eine, war scho [schon] früher im Päper; ... Sie sind gemuvt?[32] Very well, ... Sell isch e guat's[33] Plätzel ... sellem Joseph am Eck[34] lasse mer nix [lassen wir nichts] zu leids thun; ...
The next examples are condensed from journals of various localities, all printed in the German character. The spelling and use of italics as before.
Der Grosze Wohlfeile Dry Goods Store. Jetzt eröffnet: Direkt von New York; Bärgens in Weiszgütern und Ellenwaaren (Dry Goods), Gemischte Mohairs; Schöne Dress Ginghams; Long Cloth [another has Langes Tuch].
Country Orders werden mit promptheit ausgeführt ... Groszhandels oder Wholesäle Preisen zu Retailen oder einzelnen [others have "im groszen und kleinen," "Groz und Klein-Verkauf">[ ... Ingrain oder Blumiger Kärpet; ... Entry und Treppen [stair] Carpets; Cottage-Carpets; Floor Oel-Tücher [another has Boden-Oeltücher]; Marseilles und Honeycomb Quilts; Matting, weisz und bunt.
Allgemeine Stohrgüter; Tücher fur Ladies Cloaks [another has Damen Cloakstoffe.] ... Lädies Dress-Goods [others have Dreszgüter, Dresz-Anzüge, Dreszwaaren]; Fäncy-Waaren; Ueberdecken; Quilts und Tisch-Diapers; Napkins; Ticking beim Stück; Carriage Trimmings; Extra grosze gequilte comfortables; Blänkets; Counter Paints [counterpanes]; Dry Goods für Frühjahr und Sommer. Kein Humbug.
Millinery Waaren; Ladies-, Misses-, und Kinder Stroh und Fäncy Bonnets und Flats; Corsetten; Hoops [others have Hoopsröcke, and Hoopskirts in neuer Shapes]; Haar Zöpfen; Rollen; Braids; Puffs; Dress-Trimmings. Unsere "Fits" sind vollkommen. Yankee-Notions [another has Notionen]. Shelfing und Counter für einen Stohr.
Pelzwaaren jeder Art, ... Zobel; Chinchilla; Ermin; Siberien-Squirrel; Fitch; Wasser-Mink.
Wholesale und Retail Händler in Aechten Rye Whiskeys von verschiedenen Bränden, Ausländischen und Einheimischen Brändies, Weinen, Gin [G. Wachholderbranntwein], feiner Claret, Scotch Ale, Fancy Liquors, Pine Apfel Syrup, Cherry Wein und Kirschen Brandy, Demijohns und Botteln von allen Gröszen.
Neue Scale Pianoes, mit eisernen Gestellen, overstrung Base und Agraffe Bridge. Ein schönes Second Hand Piano. Instrumenten zu groszen Bärgen ... Rotary Valve[1] und Side Action[35] Instrumente [wind instruments].
Eisen-Store [Eisen-Stohr, Hartewaaren, Hardwaaren, Eisenwaaren] Küchen Ränges; Extra Grätes; Furnäces; Bar-Room-Oefen; Air-Tight und alle Sorten Parlor Oefen; Heating-Oefen [also Heiz-Oefen]; Brilliant Gas Burner; tragbare Heaters, und Gasbrenner; Feuer-bricks; Springs; geforged und gerolltes eisen; Schäfting; Safes; Meisel [properly meiszeln] in Setts; Razor Straps und Hones; pullys; Carvingmesser, Butschermesser; Varnisch [for Firniss]; Neues Kohlenscreen; Boiler von allen Sorten; Braszarbeit; Kaffeemühlen ... verschiedene Haushaltgeräthschaften ... welche Retail oder Wholesale zu den billigsten Preisen verkauft werden ... Sie garantiren völlige Satisfaction.
Porzellan-Waaren Stohr: Queenswaaren; Dinner Sets; Toilet Sets; Toy Thee Sets; Chamber Sets; Schüszeln mit Deckel; Bowlen (Bowls) aller Arten; Pitchers aller Arten; Suppen Tureens ... all die letzten Styles [Styl is also in use]. Ein groszer Vorrath Waiters und Thee-Trays ... Haus-Furnisching Waaren ... Vasen ... Chimney Tops.
Schuhstore: India-Rubber, Lasting und Button Schuhe; hoch polisch Gaiters für frauen ... Kid Schuhe ... Schlippers.
Juwellen, Watschen und Uhren auf Hand [also 'an Hand' for vorräthig]; Watschen in goldenen und silbernen Cäsen [another has Repeating-Taschenuhr, for Repetiruhr]; Watschen-ketten; Damen goldene Bräcelet Setts; Studs; Sleeveknöpfe; Messern [for Messer].
Möbel-Waarenlager: Auswahl aller Arten Möbel ... Bureaus [also Burös, Buros, Büros]; Sideboards [Seidbord, Desk]; Dining-Tische; Lounges; Settees; [also Setties]; Wardrobes [also Garderobe-Artikel, and Kleiderschrank, the proper term]. Cänesitz Stühle; Fenster-blenden [and Blinds]; What-Nots; Spiegel mit Gold-Främs; Springbetten ... Parlor, Chamber, und Küchen Möbeln ... und alle andern Artikel welche in Möbel-Stohrs zu finden sind.
Bauholzhof [others have Lumber-yard and Bretterhof] ... Alle Sorten von Bauholz wohl geseasonet [also vollkommen ausgetrocknet]; Wetterboarding; Weiszpein [for Fichte] und Hemlock [for Tanne] Joists und Scäntling [another has Hardwood Skäntling] jeder Grösze; Bill-Stuffs; Fenzstoffen [for pl. stoffe, others have Fensing and Fenspfosten]; Flooring [also Flurbretter]; Panel Lumber; Poplarboards [also Pappel]; Pickets [also Pälings, both for Pfähle] von allen längen.
Buchdruckerei ... Job Schriften; Programms; Circulars; Tickets; Karten; Blänks; Handbills; Pamphlete; Billheads; ... an seinem alten Ständ.
Oeffentliche Vendu [and Vendue—"Vendue Creier und Auktionär.">[ ... Eine Bauerie [also Farm, and Plantasche] zu verkaufen ... 110 Acker, 70 geklart [and geklärt] gelegen in Londonderry Taunschip, Lebanon [often Libanon] County, an der Strasze führend vom Palmyra Landing-Platze nach der Jonestaun Road, grenzend an den Lebanon Valley Riegelweg [and Rigelweg—a verbal translation of Railway. Others have—"Es grenzt an die Libanon Valley Rail Road," and "Libanon Thal Eisenbahn.">[ 2 meilen vom Stockyard [location for cattle]. Die Verbesserungen sind ein groszes weddergebordetes [Eng. weather-boarded; another has "Främ Haus wettergebordet">[ Främhaus [Frähmscheuer, Bankscheuer, Frame-Arbeitshop] neu tapezirt [papered] ... mit fünf Stuben auf dem zweiten Floor; Garret [others have Dachstube, and Dachzimmer] Küche und Keller. Eine Cisterne [also Cistern] mit 33 Hogsheads; Kohlenbin unter dem pävement ... Eine Baulotte [building lot of ground] 50 Fusz front [also—die Fronte, and frontirend.] Schmiedschap [Wagenschoppen]; Wagensched [zwei Wagenschäde] mit Cribs [and Krippen, Welschkornkrieb, Kornkribbe, Kornkribb]; Logscheuer [also Block-Wohnhaus, Logfrämehaus, blöckernes Haus]; mit Stein Basement [another has "Stallhoch Steinmauer"—the height of the stables of stone].
Das Land ist vom besten Gravel [also Gravel-Land, Flint, Kalkstein, Kalchstein, Feuerstein], und unter guten Fenzen [and Fensen, alles unter Fenz, gut eingefenzt].—Laufendes Wasser geht durch den Scheuerhof [also Scheueryard]. Es ist bequem zu Postofficen, Kirchen, Schulen, Mühlen, Stohres, und Handwerkern.
Ein 6-jähriger brauner Gaul; ... ein junges Baypferd; ein Sorrelpferd; ein Fallingtop-Buggy; ein Rockaway; ein Springwagen [hucksterwagen]; ein Stohrwagen mit drei Springs; eine Sweep Power Dreschmaschine; eine Set Stägegeschirr; Yankiegeschirr; Frontgeschirre [for horses in front]. Welschkornscheller [also Welschkornschäler, Welschkornscräper, Welschkornausmacher, handscheller]; Schneidbox; Wagenbox [and Wagenbody]; Molasses-Faktry; Mückengeschirre [Fliegen-Geschirre, Fliegennetze]; 1 Lot Hausen's [housings for horses]; Windmühle, [translation of windmill, for Kornschwinge]; 1 Sink [kitchen sink-bench]; Martingales; Checkleinen; Cirkel-Säge [another has Circularsäge] mit Främ und Sträp.
Einige Pflanzgrundbeeren von Prince Alberts Sorte.
FOOTNOTES:
[29] Mustersaal aller teutschen Mundarten, ... Bonn, 1822, vol. 2, p. 361. By a type error, m of getscheumpt was omitted. See also Dr. Mombert's History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1869, p. 373.
[30] See note 1 on next page.
[31] Any place where liquor is retailed is called a saloon, and in a certain town a cabin with a single room is labeled DON JUAN WALLING'S SIGN EMPORIUM.
[32] 'You have removed' (your residence), but the third person plural is not thus used in PG.
[33] G. ein gutes, but the Austrian extension gūăt is not PG.
[34] Neuter for feminine, as in Bavarian and Austrian.
[35] These four words are printed in Roman type.