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. Bernese German is the dialect of High Alemannic German spoken in the Swiss plateau (Mittelland) part of the canton of Bern and in some neighbouring regions. ... The term working class is used to denote a social class. ... For other uses, see Berne (disambiguation). ... This article or section seems to contain too many examples (or examples of poor quality) for an encyclopedia entry. ... In linguistics, a sociolect is the language spoken by a social group, social class or subculture. ... Pig Latin is a language game primarily used in English. ... In sociology, social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of social classes, castes, and strata within a society. ... A voluntary association (also sometimes called an unincorporated association, or just an association) is a group of individuals who voluntarily enter into an agreement to form a body (or organization) to accomplish a purpose. ...

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'. Bernese German is the dialect of High Alemannic German spoken in the Swiss plateau (Mittelland) part of the canton of Bern and in some neighbouring regions. ... A vocabulary is a set of words known to a person or other entity, or that are part of a specific language. ... Rotwelsch or Gaunersprache is a secret language, a cant or theives argot, spoken by covert groups primarily in Germany, Switzerland and the Low Countries. ... The Yeniche language, or Jenisch, (ISO 629-2 code: YEC) is spoken by the Yeniche, and is distinctly different from the Romany variants spoken by other populations of Roma. ... Yiddish (Yid. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

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 always substituted. Pig Latin is a language game primarily used in English. ...

The rules are as follows:

1. 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:
   • Mueter 'mother' → Ieter-mee
   • gib-ere 'give-her' → ibere-gee
   • Schnure 'mouth' → Ire-schnee
2. 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:
   • Änglisch 'English' → Inglisch-ee
   • Öpfu 'apple' → Ipfu-hee

In articulatory phonetics, a consonant is a sound in spoken language that is characterized by a closure or stricture of the vocal tract sufficient to cause audible turbulence. ... In linguistics, a consonant cluster is a group of consonants which have no intervening vowel. ... Note: This page contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ...

External Links

• Matteänglisch-Club Bärn (Bern Mattenenglisch Club – the site is in German and Bernese German)
• Mattenenglisch, an explanation with examples (in German).