when did the pennsylvania dutch come to america
Pennsylvania Dutch
The Pennsylvania Dutch ( Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch , listen ( help info ) ) are a cultural group formed by early German - speaking immigrants to Pennsylvania and their descendants . The word `` Dutch '' does not refer to the Dutch people ( Nederlanders ) or their descendants , but to German people whose ethnonym in their own language is Deitsch ( in dialectal German ) or Deutsch ( in standard German ) . Most emigrated to the U.S. from Germany or Switzerland in the 17th and 18th century . Over time , the various dialects spoken by these immigrants fused into a unique dialect of German known as Pennsylvania German or Pennsylvania `` Dutch '' . At one time , more than one - third of Pennsylvania 's population spoke this language . 
The Pennsylvania Dutch ( Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch , listen ( help info ) ) are a cultural group formed by early German - speaking immigrants to Pennsylvania and their descendants . The word `` Dutch '' does not refer to the Dutch people ( Nederlanders ) or their descendants , but to German people whose ethnonym in their own language is Deitsch ( in dialectal German ) or Deutsch ( in standard German ) . Most emigrated to the U.S. from Germany or Switzerland in the 17th and 18th century . Over time , the various dialects spoken by these immigrants fused into a unique dialect of German known as Pennsylvania German or Pennsylvania `` Dutch '' . At one time , more than one - third of Pennsylvania 's population spoke this language .
Most Pennsylvania Dutch emigrated to the U.S. from Germany or Switzerland in the 17th and 18th century.
The Pennsylvania Dutch ( Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch , listen ( help info ) ) Most emigrated to the U.S. from Germany or Switzerland in the 17th and 18th century .