Everyone knows that English is the primary language in Texas, one of the most populous states in the US. Most people also know that Spanish is, by a huge margin, the second-biggest language, with a whopping 29% of the Texan population speaking Spanish. What you might not know is that German also has a presence in Texas, standing as the fifth-biggest language in the state. And Texas even has its very own variety of German: Texas German.
Texas German developed from the vernaculars used by German immigrants to Texas in the mid-1800s. Most heritage languages in the US only persist for about three generations, but the German immigrants in Texas tenaciously held onto their language, speaking it vigorously at home and in the community into the 20th century. However, hostility toward Germans during the World Wars prompted many Texas Germans to abandon their language in favor of English, resulting in only 4,000 to 6,000 speakers left today, a number that continues to dwindle. But at TranslationServices.com, we’re proud to offer support in the form of Texas German translation services.
If you’re interested in seeing a free quote for our Texas German translation services, why not ask for one?
Texas German: a unique variety of German native to Texas
Texas German is mostly concentrated in Texas Hill County, especially the towns of Bulverde, New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Pflugerville, Walburg, and Comfort, as well as Muenster in Cooke County, Schulenberg in Fayette County, Brenham in Washington County, and Weimar in Colorado County. Spoken by more than 100,000 people in its heyday in the late 1800s, Texas German is a unique blend of English and 19th-century German, a linguistic reflection of the intermixed culture of the Texas Germans.
Texas German incorporates a great number of English words into its lexicon, with the adoption of English vocabulary ramping up after the population underwent compulsory English lessons at the beginning of the 20th century. The grammar is significantly simplified from Standard German, with Texas German having lost the genitive case and merged the accusative and dative cases. While it’s generally understandable to native German speakers, but certain Texas German words sound archaic to a modern-day German speaker. That’s why you can’t hire a German translator for Texas German—you need bona fide experts, like the translators on our team.
Your number one source for Texas German translation services
As an endangered minority language with only a few thousand speakers remaining, Texas German faces a severe lack of resources, including a dearth of translation services. We set out to build the best Texas German translation team we could, working with native speakers from across Texas Hill County and beyond. Whether you want translation services to or from Texas German, our translators are ready to help, eager to share their knowledge of their beloved native language. Our translators draw on their experience from various domains to bring you precise and natural translations in either direction.
We’re committed to serving the various translation needs our clients might have, no matter what kind of specializations that entails. Our more academically geared translators are a good fit for translating educational content into Texas German that allows children in the community to learn naturally as they pick up their heritage language. Local organizations may want to disseminate their promotional materials in Texas German as a way to more meaningfully connect with the community. And don’t forget the power of stories—clients looking to translate Texas German documents into English or English media like books or apps into Texas German can rely on our passionate team of translators for a faithful translation. For any content, we’re the solution.
For the best Texas German translation services on the web, reach out and place an order today!