The Low German Dialect of Concordia, Missouri

Abstract

A resurgence of interest recently in various German dialects present in many regions of the United States has led to the gathering of data in many small towns throughout the Midwest whose dialects and dialect speakers will have died out within the next decade. With this realization, research efforts in these communities have been stepped up over the last five years, as we all feel the pressure of a most certain deadline. The researchers of this project, primarily graduate students at the University of Kansas under the supervision of Dr. William Keel, are seeking to record, analyze, and preserve these dialects for future study before they have completely died out. This paper is part of ongoing research into the Low German dialects spoken in the region of Western Missouri in and around Lafayette County, particularly in the towns of Concordia and Cole Camp (Benton County). Thus, this project has both dialectological and historical significance in helping to complete the bigger picture of Germans in America, their language and their culture.

As a specific example, fieldwork in the town of Concordia will be used to illustrate how cultural ties to the German homeland, the historical development of the town, its religious affiliations, and its Low German Club have contributed to a revitalization of sorts in its efforts to preserve its heritage and language. Included will be discussions of the town's history, the basic structure and sounds of the dialect, interesting or unusual characteristics of the spoken dialect, and some of the language behaviors exhibited by various speakers. Finally, some implications of the marketing and death of Concordia Low German will be examined.