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'Mattenenglisch' (German for 'meadow English'), or in Bernese German, 'Mattenänglisch', is a name for the varieties traditionally spoken in the ''Matte'' ('meadow'), the old working class neighbourhood of Berne. The name is a malapropism for ''Mattenengisch'' 'meadow-narrowing-ish'. 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 associations that cultivate Mattenenglisch.

Contents

Mattenenglisch sociolect

Mattenenglisch Pig Latin

External Links

Mattenenglisch sociolect

The Mattenenglisch sociolect was the working class variety of the Bernese German dialect. It had a characteristic vocabulary that was partly influenced by varieties such as Rotwelsch, Yeniche language or Yiddish language, 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 shibboleths 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 Latin 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 consonant sounds, move the initial consonant or consonant cluster to the end of the word, add ''ee'' and change the first vowel into ''i''. Examples:
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★ Mueter 'mother' → Ieter-mee
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★ gib-ere 'give-her' → ''ibere-gee''
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★ Schnure 'mouth' → ''Ire-schnee''
#For words that begin with vowel 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:
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★ Änglisch 'English' → ''Inglisch-ee''
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★ 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).