A Pennsylvania German Reader and Grammar (Keystone Books) [Hardcover]

Earl C. Hagg (Author), Earl C. Haag (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0271003162 | ISBN-13: 978-0271003160 | Publication Date: May 1982

The introduction to this excellent book gives an overview of the language (Pennsylvania German, Dutch or Deitsch) developed by the settlers brought to Pennsylvania from the Rhine Valley by William Penn....This book is a must for the researcher, especially the novice whose ancestral lines lead to this area where a language barrier can certainly be discouraging or in some instances even terminates the search. -The Genealogical Helper"The dialect used by the German settlers of Pennsylvania requires special study if it is to be understood. In this volume Mr. Haag has provided a learning aid which is both a reader and a grammar." -The Virginia Genealogist"The outstanding book contains twenty-three excellent reading selections in lively dialect by Haag on subjects such as school, house, farm, town, as well as dates, weather, body parts, and clothing--each with translation on the opposite page--a practical, invaluable feature." -Journal of the Pennsylvania German Society

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 299 pages
• Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press (May 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0271003162
• ISBN-13: 978-0271003160
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,200,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars useful introduction to PA Dutch language, January 29, 2006

By 

R Fisher (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pennsylvania German Reader and Grammar (Paperback)

This book attempts to bring the reader, in one short volume, to a point where he or she can read the south German dialect known as "Pennsylvania Dutch". Of the two that I know - from Frey (separately reviewed on Amazon) and Haag - this is the less polished but more accessible to those without a background in High German. Readers who are serious about learning the language should try to find and work through both books and then tackle Haag's wonderful Pennsylvania German Anthology.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Haag's Reader and Grammar, February 28, 2008

By 

Big Al (Barboursville, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Pennsylvania German Reader and Grammar (Keystone Books) (Hardcover)

Haag's Reader is a worthwhile book and copies are more readily available, but J William Frey's Simple Grammar of Pennsylvania Dutch is probably a better choice for the absolute beginner. Frey's presentation of grammar rules is easier to understand and he explains the pronunciation of the dialect much better and more accurately.

However, Haag provides a larger vocabulary and better reading selections. The basic question is: Why do want to learn Pennsylvania German? If you want to speak the language, Frey is the better choice. If you want to read the literature, then Haag's reader is a better choice.