Mattenenglisch
Encyclopedia
Mattenenglisch, in Bernese German Dialect
Mattenänglisch, is a name for the varieties traditionally spoken in the Matte, the old working class
neighbourhood of the Swiss City of Berne
. It is used in two different senses: Either for the traditional sociolect
of that neighbourhood or for a special kind of Pig Latin
that was used there. In the second half of the 20th century, both have fallen out of use because after the traditional social stratification
has been completely changed, the Matte is no longer a working class neighbourhood. However, there are voluntary association
s that cultivate Mattenenglisch.
dialect. It had a characteristic vocabulary
that was partly influenced by varieties such as Rotwelsch
, Jenisch
or Yiddish, because people wanted to communicate in a way the police would not understand. While most Mattenenglisch words have fallen out of use, some have spread into common Bernese German usage, thus becoming shibboleth
s of Bernese German, for instance the words jiu 'yes', Modi 'girl' or Gieu 'boy'.
was used by the kids in the Matte neighbourhood. Unlike in other varieties of Pig Latin, the first vowel of the word is completely substituted.
The rules are as follows:
Bernese German
Bernese German is the dialect of High Alemannic German spoken in the Swiss plateau part of the canton of Bern and in some neighbouring regions.- Varieties :There is a lot of regional variation within Bernese German dialects...
Mattenänglisch, is a name for the varieties traditionally spoken in the Matte, the old working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
neighbourhood of the Swiss City of Berne
Berne
The city of Bern or Berne is the Bundesstadt of Switzerland, and, with a population of , the fourth most populous city in Switzerland. The Bern agglomeration, which includes 43 municipalities, has a population of 349,000. The metropolitan area had a population of 660,000 in 2000...
. It is used in two different senses: Either for the traditional sociolect
Sociolect
In sociolinguistics, a sociolect or social dialect is a variety of language associated with a social group such as a socioeconomic class, an ethnic group, an age group, etc....
of that neighbourhood or for a special kind of Pig Latin
Pig Latin
Pig Latin is a language game of alterations played in English. To form the Pig Latin form of an English word the first consonant is moved to the end of the word and an ay is affixed . The object is to conceal the meaning of the words from others not familiar with the rules...
that was used there. In the second half of the 20th century, both have fallen out of use because after the traditional social stratification
Social stratification
In sociology the social stratification is a concept of class, involving the "classification of persons into groups based on shared socio-economic conditions ... a relational set of inequalities with economic, social, political and ideological dimensions."...
has been completely changed, the Matte is no longer a working class neighbourhood. However, there are voluntary association
Voluntary association
A voluntary association or union is a group of individuals who enter into an agreement as volunteers to form a body to accomplish a purpose.Strictly speaking, in many jurisdictions no formalities are necessary to start an association...
s that cultivate Mattenenglisch.
Mattenenglisch sociolect
The Mattenenglisch sociolect was the working class variety of the Bernese GermanBernese German
Bernese German is the dialect of High Alemannic German spoken in the Swiss plateau part of the canton of Bern and in some neighbouring regions.- Varieties :There is a lot of regional variation within Bernese German dialects...
dialect. It had a characteristic vocabulary
Vocabulary
A person's vocabulary is the set of words within a language that are familiar to that person. A vocabulary usually develops with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge...
that was partly influenced by varieties such as Rotwelsch
Rotwelsch
Rotwelsch or Gaunersprache is a secret language, a cant or thieves' argot, spoken by covert groups primarily in southern Germany and Switzerland.-Origin and development:...
, Jenisch
Yeniche (people)
The Yeniche, or Jenische, are the third-largest population of nomadic people in Europe, living mostly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of France...
or Yiddish, because people wanted to communicate in a way the police would not understand. While most Mattenenglisch words have fallen out of use, some have spread into common Bernese German usage, thus becoming shibboleth
Shibboleth
A shibboleth is a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, especially a long-standing one regarded as outmoded or no longer important...
s of Bernese German, for instance the words jiu 'yes', Modi 'girl' or Gieu 'boy'.
Mattenenglisch Pig Latin
Until mid 20th century, a special variety of Pig LatinPig Latin
Pig Latin is a language game of alterations played in English. To form the Pig Latin form of an English word the first consonant is moved to the end of the word and an ay is affixed . The object is to conceal the meaning of the words from others not familiar with the rules...
was used by the kids in the Matte neighbourhood. Unlike in other varieties of Pig Latin, the first vowel of the word is completely substituted.
The rules are as follows:
- For words that begin with consonantConsonantIn articulatory phonetics, a consonant is a speech sound that is articulated with complete or partial closure of the vocal tract. Examples are , pronounced with the lips; , pronounced with the front of the tongue; , pronounced with the back of the tongue; , pronounced in the throat; and ,...
sounds, move the initial consonant or consonant clusterConsonant clusterIn linguistics, a consonant cluster is a group of consonants which have no intervening vowel. In English, for example, the groups and are consonant clusters in the word splits....
to the end of the word, add ee and change the first vowel into i. Examples:- Mueter 'mother' → Ieter-mee
- gib-ere 'give-her' → ibere-gee
- Schnure 'mouth' → Ire-schnee
- For words that begin with vowelVowelIn phonetics, a vowel is a sound in spoken language, such as English ah! or oh! , pronounced with an open vocal tract so that there is no build-up of air pressure at any point above the glottis. This contrasts with consonants, such as English sh! , where there is a constriction or closure at some...
sounds, add the syllable ee to the end of the word, or hee if the word ends in a vowel, and change the first vowel into i. Examples:- Änglisch 'English' → Inglisch-ee
- Öpfu 'apple' → Ipfu-hee
External links
- Matteänglisch-Club Bärn (Bern Mattenenglisch Club – the site is in German and Bernese German)
- Mattenenglisch, an explanation with examples (in German).