The Amish primarily speak a language called Pennsylvania Dutch, also known as Pennsylvania German. This language is a dialect descended from Palatine German, originating from the Palatinate region in southwest Germany, and it has evolved with some English influence over time. Pennsylvania Dutch is the native language of most Amish communities and is used in everyday life and church services, while English is typically learned for communication with non-Amish people and for schooling

. There are some variations within the Amish language use:

• The majority of Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, which is mutually intelligible across different Amish communities despite dialectal differences

• A small minority known as the Swiss Amish, mainly in southern Indiana, speak a form of Bernese Swiss German instead of Pennsylvania Dutch

• English is widely spoken by the Amish, especially for business and education, but Pennsylvania Dutch remains the primary language within the community

Pennsylvania Dutch is distinct from modern High German, which the Amish use primarily in religious texts and church services, and it incorporates about 10-15% English vocabulary but retains core grammar from Palatine German

. In summary, the Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch (a German dialect) as their first language, supplemented by English, and some Swiss Amish speak Swiss German dialects