Over fall break, I spent most of the time reading a book which I will use to do a book review on. So it wasn't nice literature, but a historical account. Its title "The Pennsylvania Dutch" and it's about German immigrants from my area at home, mainly the Rhenish Palatinate. Most of them came over to the U.S. between the 1710s and the 1750s and - who would have guessed - settled in Pennsylvania. Interestingly, you can still find people today who speak their dialect - and it is really close to my own!
I liked this fact so much that - once back in Germany - I'll maybe going to write my master thesis on this topic. Probably not on the dialect itself, but the role of the Pennsylvania Dutch in U.S. history. I don't know my special focus yet, but we'll see ...
However, what struck me when finishing this book was the fact that American citizens have so many different and numerous ancestors or ancestry. I am 100% German, both my parents are, all of my grandparents. Ok, maybe 10 generations ago there was somebody coming from somewhere - but the thing is that I wouldn't know that. And it's completely different with Americans. You would know if you're of German ancestry, of Scottish, or of Italian.
By the way, I looked it up: in the Census of 2000, more than 30 million persons stated to be of German ancestry and that's by far the largest number. The next group following are the Irish with almost 20 million people.
On the one hand, I really liked it that out of 280 million U.S. Americans almost 1/9 are of German ancestry - and it makes me a little proud ;-) Now I know why I feel so happy and at home over here!
On the other hand, I think this shows the many influences that shape our lives and our nation. Even though almost 1/9 are of German ancestry (and you have to take into account that this means probably people coming over to the U.S. 300 years ago!), there are something about 50 other ancestries as well. That's what I meant about the legacy of our ancestors - it shapes us, to the good and to the bad. But it depends on what you are doing about it ...
Well, this wouldn't be an English blog entry of Lukas if there was no hint at my faith (I'm sorry for some friends at home!). I think what helps us a lot in times of trouble is that we remember that we are children of God. Somebody said once that we are citizens of heaven and that we're only visiting this planet!
So, enjoy your trip over here and make the best out of it. And still, the most gigantic and awesome thing is still to come. Look forward to it :-)
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5 comments:
Lukas,
I enjoyed a dinner of pork and saurkraut and apples the other night for dinner. . . celebrating my German background. . .that's what I grew up eating.
I definitely learned something new in reading your blog entry. That was an interesting topic to discuss. It was fascinating to read.
Interesting topic. I've read a little about the Pennsylvania Dutch (or Deutsch). I can't remember what the name for their dialect is. By the way, I am Irish, Scottish, German, British, and Choctaw.
History is the realy the best reading ever!
Good reasearch and interesting history Lukas. I'm glad you enjoy learning about your ancestry, for it is an interesting topic. Hope you get the most out of your time here in the US.
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