Free Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark

school.
    Why aren’t small children taught to speak English from the very beginning?
    Limiting their knowledge to Pennsylvania Dutch helps insulate and protect young ones from outside influences for the first five to seven years of their lives.
    Where is High German spoken? 
    High German is the language of respect for God and heritage and is used in Amish worship services and spiritual texts. Most Amish become familiar with the language not through formal instruction but rather from years of exposure during Sunday worship and when reading the classics of the Amish faith that are in High German. These include:
    â€¢ The Ausbund , or Amish hymnal, which was first published in 1564. Many of its songs were written by martyrs of the faith in the sixteenth century. It is the oldest Christian songbook in continuous use.
    â€¢ Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht, a prayer book used in many Amish households.
    â€¢ The Luther Bible.
    Do the Amish speak English with an accent?
    Some do, some don’t. But even for those Amish who speak English without any telltale accent, there are some giveaways when they talk, particularly among those who do not converse often with outsiders. Certain words and terms receive unusual pronunciations and uniquely Amish phraseology.
    Is their sentence construction old-fashioned and formal?
    No. Contrary to how the Amish are often portrayed in the media, they do not use archaic terms such as “thee” and “thou” when speaking English.

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    TECHNOLOGY
    Do the Amish reject technology?
    No. But they are selective about which technological devices and innovations they consider to be acceptable. Because of this, some types of technology are permitted, and some are not. For example, an Amish district might allow generator-powered sewing machines but forbid generator-powered clothes dryers.
    Do they own cars?
    No.
    Do they consider technology to be evil or wrong?
    No, but they do believe that if left unchecked, certain technologies can destroy the Amish way of life by undermining its traditions, bringing inappropriate value systems into homes, and ultimately breaking communities and families apart. This is why they are so selective about which devices and innovations they will and will not use.
    Their rules seem so arbitrary—contradictory, even. For example, why do the Amish not own or drive cars, yet they will ride in vehicles driven by others? Why do they not use electricity, yet they will use other forms of power, such as propane and gasoline? Why won’t they have a phone in the house but put one in the barn?
    To make sense of these questions, it’s important to consider the Amish value system and how it applies to technology, as shown:
    â€¢ Humility : A lack of fancy electronic devices provides less opportunity for pride.
    â€¢ Submission : Following the technology rules of the order demonstrates obedience to God, to the group, and to history.
    â€¢ Community : Staying off the grid prevents dependence on the outside world.
    â€¢ Simplicity : Life without computers, e-mail, or other forms of electronic interruption is more peaceful.
    â€¢ Thrift : A low-tech life prevents excessive phone bills, car insurance premiums, cable TV charges, Internet costs, music download fees, and so on.
    â€¢ Family : Owning and driving one’s own car provides too many opportunities for temptation and allows one to roam too far from home.
    Also, it’s important to remember that external technologies such as cars are used only with intention, never capriciously. An Amish person would never hire a car and driver for a mere joy ride. The ride in the car needs to come from necessity; for example, a doctor’s appointment or to visit a distant relative.
    Rules that seem contradictory usually relate to the overriding goal of being masters over technology rather than slaves to it. Any non-Amish person who has ever felt a prisoner to a constantly ringing phone or a full e-mail