What Language Do the Amish Speak? (Pennsylvania Dutch, German & English Explained)

Q: Do the Amish speak English?

Yes. Amish people speak English when dealing with outsiders, in school subjects, and often with younger children. But at home, most families use Pennsylvania Dutch.

Q: What language do the Amish use in church?

Church services are usually conducted in High German (Hochdeitsch), which differs from the Pennsylvania Dutch spoken at home.

Q: Do Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch?

Yes. Pennsylvania Dutch (a German dialect) is the main spoken language in most Amish homes and communities.

Q: Do all Amish speak the same language?

Most Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, but Swiss Amish groups use a different dialect, Swiss German. All Amish also learn English for school and business.

When people meet the Amish, one of the first things they notice—beyond the plain clothes and horse-drawn buggies—is the language. Are they speaking German? Dutch? English? Or something else entirely?

The answer is: a little of all three. Here’s how Amish communities use different languages in everyday life.

Do the Amish Speak English?

Note the Swiss German spelling of this word, which you typically see as kapp among the Amish. This was spotted in an Amish store in Berne, Indiana where they speak the Swiss dialect..

Yes, absolutely. English is widely spoken in Amish communities, especially when interacting with non-Amish (“the English”), in school subjects, and increasingly among younger generations.

Children learn Pennsylvania Dutch first at home, but English quickly becomes their second language, especially once they begin school.

Pennsylvania Dutch — The Everyday Amish Language

At home and in daily conversation, most Amish speak a dialect called Pennsylvania German, more commonly known as Pennsylvania Dutch. Despite the name, it’s not Dutch at all, but an old German dialect preserved in America for over 300 years.

Spoken in Amish homes
Used in casual conversation and community life
Learned naturally from childhood

High German — The Church Language

This is a church bench wagon at a Michigan Amish church. Benchwagons like this are common at Amish gatherings.

In church services, Amish switch to High German (Hochdeitsch). This is the formal written German used in Bibles and hymnals. Most Amish don’t speak it conversationally, but they learn enough to follow sermons and sing from the Ausbund (Amish hymnbook).

Do All Amish Speak the Same Language?

Not quite. While most Amish groups use Pennsylvania Dutch, the Swiss Amish of Indiana and parts of Ohio speak a very different dialect of Swiss German.

That means even Amish from different settlements may not always understand one another’s speech perfectly.

Quick Amish Language Guide

<table> <thead> <tr> <th>Context</th> <th>Common Language Used</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Home & family life</td> <td>Pennsylvania Dutch</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Church services</td> <td>High German (Hochdeitsch)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>School & business</td> <td>English</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Amish Language Examples

Here are a few simple phrases in Pennsylvania Dutch:

“Wie bischt?” → How are you?
“Gut, dank.” → Good, thanks.
“Kumm essa.” → Come eat.
“Ich lieb dich.” → I love you.

These little snippets give a feel for the flavor of the Amish language and help explain why it’s so unique.

FAQs About Amish Language

Do the Amish speak English?

Yes. English is used in schools, for business, and whenever Amish interact with non-Amish.

What language do the Amish use in church?

Church services are conducted in High German, the formal written German of Bibles and hymnals.

Do Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch?

Yes, Pennsylvania Dutch (a German dialect) is the most common everyday language in Amish homes and communities.

Do all Amish speak the same language?

No. While most Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, Swiss Amish communities use Swiss German dialects.