The Adaptation of English to Pennsylvania German Morphology

tHE TREATMENT of English loan words in Pennsylvania German, the 1 speakers of which are largely bilingual, has received the attention of various observers.l Some of these have been inspired by sudden attacks of curiosity originating in chance observation. Others have undertaken the systematic study of certain features affecting the adaptation of English loan words in Pennsylvania German. J. W. Frey, of Franklin and Marshall College, has dealt rather thoroughly with the phonemic adjustments of such loan words.2 And in summarizing a detailed survey of English loan words, A. F. Buffington, of Pennsylvania State College, states that 'there is almost no English influence to be obserlred in the phonology and morphology of Pennsylvania German.'3 In face of the recognized extent of English loan words, Buffingtonws remark has significant bearing on the adaptive processes involved. On a previous occasion I demonstrated how it is possible, by the comparison of field records, to discover the patterns by which genders are assigned to English loan words in Pennsylvania German.4 The same method of comparative analysis may be applied (but with caution) to the rather copious dialect writings that are available.5 In the process of borrowing English words, native equivalents are frequently supplemented or replaced. In some instances, the dialect variations that existed in the original settlement have facilitated the choice of an English word as a compromise. This is a phenomenon amply demonstrated in secondary