what language do amish speak

The Amish speak a dialect of English called Pennsylvania German, or Pennsylvania Dutch. Pennsylvania German is a Germanic language closely related to Dutch and Flemish. The vast majority of Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonites across North America speak two languages fluently, Pennsylvania German and English. The Amish speak Pennsylvania German among one another and it is the language of the sermons during church services. English is used mainly with non-Amish relatives and friends, but it is also the dominant medium of literacy. While most Amish have a good reading knowledge of the standard German of the Bible and other religious texts, they read and write mainly in English.