Book Review

Jack Thiessen Mennonitisch - Plavtdeutshes Woerterbuch / Mennonite Low German Dictionary (Steinbach, MB: Hanover Steinbach Historical Society, 2000), pb., 518 pp. C$25.00

Reviewed by Ted E. Friesen

Albert Schweizer once wrote: "man denkt in seiner Muttersprache". Plautdietsch wea miene Muttasproak. When talking in English I sometimes cannot find the right word and come up with the Low German word. Was that word lodged in the subconscious?

Low German is the language of the North German people. Many lived on the Baltic Sea littoral. When Luther opted for High German as the official language, Low German was relegated to be the daily unwritten language of the common people. That it survived, and is growing today in Northern Europe attests to its vitality and resilience.

To paraphrase Dr. Thiessen, it is the mirror of a particular (peculiar) people. It was the common language of the Mennonites in the Low Countries. They carried it with them on their wanderings to Germany, West Prussia, the Ukraine, North and finally South & Central America. It is in the last named area, where the language is still the lingua franca of the Mennonites.

Today many consider it a dead language. English is the language of the larger society, especially in urban areas. Yet both there and in the rural areas, performances in Low German are sold out. Sometime ago in Altona the Landmark group performed in their inimitable ways the songs in Plautdietsch for which they are renowned. Several Englishman remarked on the quaint language and what might its origin be? I explained to them that it was the language of the Anglo Saxons who occupied Britain late in the 5'" century A.D., and that consequently it became a building block of the English language.

There has been a conscious and dedicated effort by many today not only to preserve but to renew this unique dialect of the Mennonites. One of the most committed has been Dr. Jack Thiessen, Professor (Emeritus) of German at the University of Winnipeg. In 1977 his first volume of the "Mennonite Low German Dictionary" was published by Elwert Verlag in Germany. It was a slender volume in which the Plautdietsch was translated into High German and English. Then in 1979 Herman Rempel published a more comprehensive dictionary with translations from Low German to English and English to Low German. Its popularity was attested by the fact that it went through several editions and is still available.

But Dr. Thiessen has worked on a complete and authoritative dictionary. The first part of his magnum opus has now appeared. It is the translation of Low German, first to High German and then to English. The 6 x 9 format, and its 518 pages gives one an idea of the comprehensiveness of the work. I am going through it, work for word, relishing those words that I know, and appreciating with delight every new one. The second part of the dictionary, i.e. English to Low German. I understand is ready to be published.

In his guidelines to a Low German Orthography, Dr. Thiessen states that it is "of a fairly strict phonetic nature, and follows the basic principles of High German Orthography". This makes for easy and understanding reading of the words. Definitions are clear and precise. In numerous instances he will illustrate a word by citing a folk or children's rhyme. This enhances the meaning of many words. Like no other book before, it reveals the vigor and strength of the language, rich in meaning and nuance. Truly to quote Dr. Thiessen the language is "a mirror of the mortal soul". It is a monumental work, providing new evidence of Low German as a living language. Mennonites, and others owe Dr. Thiessen a huge debt of gratitude.

Book Notes

Kane, The Sprit Lives on 2000, is a community history of the Kane, Manitoba area. This hc. book includes good photographs and detailed family and community history. Contact Dora Hildebrand, Box 32 R.R. 1, Lowe Form, MB, R0G 1E0.

Penner Family History Book 1680-2000: The Descendants of Peter O. Penner (1832-1910) and Margaretha Friesen (1832-1891). This hc. 684 page book was inspired by John Dyck's book Three Hundred years of Penner History, which followed Peter O. Penner's cousin's genealogy. This book is well done and packed with information and photographs. For copies of the book contact Don and Gladys Wiebe, 311 Qyill Crescent, Sakatoon, SK, S7K 4V3. Email: dgwiebe@home.com.

The Peter Peters Family Book 1855-2000, by Margaret Bergen is a 124 page book written in English and German following the Peter Peters family in Russia during the difficult Revolution communist era and world war and then many families coming to Canada. For copies contact Margaret Bergen 405-246 Roslyn Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R3L 0H2.

The Hermann Heide Family 1748-2000, is a 284 pp. hc. book complete with lots of color photographs and data. It covers the Heide family in Russia and their immigration to Manitoba in the 1870s and to Mexico in the 1920s. Contact Harms Publishing, Box 681 Winkler, MB R6W 4A8.

The George Krahn Family 1839-1999, by Isaak Bergen in 1999, is a 390 pp. hc. book written in English and German. It follows the George Krahn and Justina Thiessen family in Russia and the scattering of descendants to Germany and Canada. Contact Isaak Bergen 1675 Gladwin Road, Abbortsford, BC, V2T 5Y5.

Rempel Ewert, 1998, 192 pp. It documents the Peter Rempel and Margaretha Heppner and Katherine Ewert family in their immigration to the Kronsweide district of Manitoba and subsequent generations. Contact Tina Rempel, Box 141 Lowe Farm, MB, R0G 1E0.

Abraham & Kornelia Bergen Driedger Family Tree, by Anton "Tony" Driedger was published in June 2000. This 99 page book records the earliest Driedger relative and then follows Driedger line who emigrated to Manitoba in the 1870s. Contact Tony Driedger at 62 Mahonee Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R2G 3S2.

Descendants of Johann Reimer and Johann Braun, is a soft cover book with photos and data covering the families' life in Russia and subsequent immigration to Canada in the 1920s. Contact Eleanor Reimer, Winnipeg for more information.

Braun, A Gnadenfeld Heritage: Jacob D. Braun 1826-1919 Katherina (Funk) Braun 1827-1920. This book covers the Bergthaler Braun family who settled in the East Reserve, and whose descendants scattered to Paraguay, Boliva, and Brazil. It is a large hard cover book filling 436 pages. Contact Ernest Braun at Box 595 Niverville, MB R0A 2A0 for more information.