THE AMISHTHE AMISH

A gentle people living a A gentle people living a simple lifesimple life

Who are the Amish?Who are the Amish?

►They are members of a particular Christian They are members of a particular Christian denomination.denomination.

►They are best known for their They are best known for their simple living, , plain dress and for resisting modern plain dress and for resisting modern conveniences like technology.conveniences like technology.

►Amish communities are usually entirely self-Amish communities are usually entirely self-sufficient and deliberately separated from the sufficient and deliberately separated from the outside world.outside world.

►The Amish way of life originated in Switzerland, The Amish way of life originated in Switzerland, but these days exists only in the U.S. (mainly but these days exists only in the U.S. (mainly Pennsylvania) and some parts of Canada.Pennsylvania) and some parts of Canada.

Parts of North America that Parts of North America that contain Amish communitiescontain Amish communities

Typical Amish clothingTypical Amish clothing

The Amish church’s rulesThe Amish church’s rules

►The rules of the Amish church, which is The rules of the Amish church, which is called the called the OrdnungOrdnung, are quite strict , are quite strict and must be obeyed by all.and must be obeyed by all.

►These rules cover most aspects of day-These rules cover most aspects of day-to-day living.to-day living.

►Those who do not follow the rules, and Those who do not follow the rules, and will not repent for having done so, can will not repent for having done so, can be excommunicated from the be excommunicated from the community.community.

These rules include:These rules include:

No electricityNo electricity Limiting the use of phonesLimiting the use of phones Not owning or using motor vehiclesNot owning or using motor vehicles Wearing a specific style of dressWearing a specific style of dress Not buying insuranceNot buying insurance Not receiving any form of government welfareNot receiving any form of government welfare Not serving in the militaryNot serving in the military Marrying partners from within their own Marrying partners from within their own

communitycommunity Only being schooled up until 8 years oldOnly being schooled up until 8 years old Using corporal punishment to discipline childrenUsing corporal punishment to discipline children Practising manual labour, mostly in rural choresPractising manual labour, mostly in rural chores

Amish forms of Amish forms of transportationtransportation

Alternative forms of Alternative forms of transportationtransportation

The “clash of cultures” between the Amish and the “outside world” can make

for some unusual observations.

An Amish farmer at workAn Amish farmer at work

LanguageLanguage

►Most Old Order Amish speak Pennsylvania Most Old Order Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, and refer to non-Amish as "English“.Dutch, and refer to non-Amish as "English“.

►Some Amish who migrated to the United Some Amish who migrated to the United States in the 1850s speak States in the 1850s speak Bernese Bernese GermanGerman or a Low Alemannic Alsatian dialect.  or a Low Alemannic Alsatian dialect. According to one scholar, "today, almost all According to one scholar, "today, almost all Amish are functionally bilingual in Amish are functionally bilingual in Pennsylvania Dutch and English; however, Pennsylvania Dutch and English; however, domains of usage are sharply separated.domains of usage are sharply separated.

Any question?Any question?

(No please)