LEARNING TO SPEAK PLAUTDIETSCH
Obviously, the best way
to learn to speak Plautdietsch is to hear and speak it very early in
life. For many people this has not been possible. The best way to relearn
and/or maintain the language is use it in conversation with others.
Because Plautdietsch speakers are scattered far and wide throughout
the world, and many have been assimilated into dominent language cultures;
learning, relearning, or maintaining the language through exposure and
conversation with other Plautdietsch speakers is often very difficult.
There are written Plautdietsch
resources (Dictionaries) (Writings
in Plautdietsch). In addition to dictionaries, some specialised
language literacy resources are also available such as:
- Plautdietsch Grammar by Eldo Neufeld
- The Spelling of Low German and Plautdietsch by Reuben
Epp
- Wie raden en lasen Plautdietsch by Peter Fast
For many, these books are
of limited use in learning to speak Plautdietsch, as people need to
hear the language to learn its pronunciation.
There are also audio resources
(Audio files) (Other
Media Resources), but these are also of limited use for those who
do not understand the language.
In a very few instances,
one can assemble a written text and a corresponding audio file as in
Arnold Dyck's novel, Koop en Bua opp Reise which can be read
in text and listened to on CD
media. Reuban Epp's CD, Dit un Jant opp Plautdietsch includes
a booklet with the text of the poems and stories on the CD (Other
Media Resources). Elmer Reimer has produced a Plautdietsch New Testament
in both written
and spoken
form, and both are available on the internet and can be used simultaneously.
Most recently, Herman Rempel
has freely contributed his pronunciation exercise to this website. Based
on his Mennonite Low German Dictionary: Kjenn Jie Noch Plautdietsch?
this exercise enables you to hear Mr Rempel pronouncing the Plautdietsch
words as you read them in text with their English language definition.
This is found at Herman Rempel's
Pronunciation Exercise .
Such resources may be very helpful to those seeking to learn or relearn
spoken Plautdietsch who may read and listen at the same time, in order
to experience the cadence and pronunciation of the written words.
To my knowledge, there are
very few Plautdietsch learning resources available on the internet or
anywhere else.
Bob Weaver of Minnesota
, U.S.A. has recently let me know of an Online
Plautdietsch Course being attempted by Cornelius Heinrichs of Cuauhtemoc,
Chihuahua, Mexico. Currently Cornelius has posted some of the first
2 lessons of about 15 lessons he projects developing if there is sufficient
interest from people wanting to learn Plautdietsch on the internet.
I hope he will be encouraged to continue to develope his course. I do
not know of any other intentional learning program on the internet.
If anyone knows of any
other such programs, curriculums, texts or other intentional learning
resources, please advise me. Jim
Derksen
The following are email
messages received at www.plautdietsch.ca from persons seeking such learning
resources:
October 24, 2006
Dear Jim,
I am interested in finding out if anyone has created a self study program
on learning the Low German language.
I am in the same boat as many of my contemporaries that heard Low German
as youngsters but never learned to speak.
Regards,
Fred Fast
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
December 5, 2006
Dear Jim,
Thanks for your reply. I received 4 books a week ago that will help
me get back on the road to learning Plautdietsch:
Plautdietsch Grammar by Eldo Neufeld
The Spelling of Low German and Plautdietsch by Reuben Epp
Kjenn Jie Noch Plautdietsch by Herman Rempel
Wie raden en lasen Plautdietsch by Peter Fast
The only thing I'm missing is pronunciation. The books are helpful with
providing english words that have similar sounds but I know that these
are approximations to the sounds in Plautdietsch.
It would be nice to have a basic audio program to help with this.
Thanks again,
Regards,
Fred.
November 28, 2006
Hey there,
I was wondering if you know of any guides to learning plautdietsch in
existence or in development? I'm trying to learn the language but am
having trouble getting started.
cheers
tim
March 8, 2007
Dear Jim Derksen,
By my last name you no doubt realize I am Russian/German Mennonite,
but my first name probably tells you that I don't know the low german
language. The reason I am contacting you is because of my unique situation.
I grew up in Winkler but have since travelled the world and settled
in Taber AB with my wife. I work for Lethbridge Family Services - Immigrant
Services with a new office in Taber. The majority of immigrants in Taber
are Mexican Mennonite, much like Winkler. However, the majority of them
here have come recently (90's and continuing) and my being able to speak
Plautdietsch would be an endless resource here. As you no doubt know,
many Low German Mennonites are suspicious of 'outsiders' and I am nearly
one of them except that my last name reveals my background to them so
they will talk with me in English (those able to do so) and they like
my being able to help them. I am working towards helping them by offering
settlement services and a program both being funded by CIC through my
Lethbridge office. I know that if I were to remain here long term, speaking
their native language would be a tremendous asset. If I were to speak
the language I could better help these people.
Now, there are many in Taber (business people, community workers) who
want to learn the Plautdietsch/Low German language but none are willing
to teach. Primarily, as you know the language is essentially an oral
only language (save their KJV translation of the Bible) and resources
are difficult to come by to help others to learn it. Your site encourages
people to continue on in its language, but I fear that that is a shear
impossibility unless a way to learn it can be established, other than
being born into it, which is becoming increasingly left aside. Perhaps
you have some information to help me and others or some resources? The
LGM population in Taber is only growing steadily and I because I am
the only govt funded individual in town my need to speak their language
is strong.
Please consider my request. Information or some resources would be
a tremendous help and I will find a way to repay the favour.
Good luck in your work, I will be using your website as a resource
for myself, co-workers, and volunteers in the community, thank you!
Sincerely,
Cory Giesbrecht
January
9, 2008
Hi,
I, too, am trying to find online learning resources to try and learn
some basic Plautdietsch. I grew up on Somerset County, Pennsylvania
and spent years with my Old Mennonite grandparents but was never smart
enough to learn to speak Pa. Dutch. Now we live in southeastern Minnesota
(Fillmore County) and have quite a few good friends who are Swartzentruber
Amish. My wife and I have become involved in their lives (eating at
their homes, they at ours, taking people places, going to ceremonies
such as weddings, etc.) but neither of us speak the language. I have
picked up a few phrases - just enough to be dangerous.
I am not afraid to teach myself a new language (I speak Japanese - due
to study at the Defense Language Institute and two years in Japan, some
Korean, some Spanish, and a few words of Arabic). I say this, not to
toot my own horn, but to say I'm not intimitadated by a new language.
If you ever learn of an online program (or any other for that matter),
I would sure like to know.
Thanks for your time and your work.
Bob Weaver
January 11, 2008
Hi Again,
I ran across the following blog of a person attempting to develop an
online course for Plautdietsch. You may have already looked at it, but
if not here it is: oppplautdietsch.blogspot.com/
I have already downloaded his first lesson as much of the second one
that his has.
Hope this helps.
Bob Weaver