Appenzellischer Sprachschatz

About this book

This book is a dictionary of words in the dialect spoken in the 1800's in the Swiss Canton of Appenzell, and translated into what is known as "high German," the language into which Martin Luther had translated the Scriptures. Tobler calls the German language, "Teutsch," which was apparently the spelling (or Appenzell pronunciation) then in vogue of "Deutsch." The book has a very long but interesting preface, in which Tobler both describes and justifies the enormous amount of research that he put into the compilation of his dictionary. He includes helpful marks to facilitate the correct pronunciation of vowels in his native Appenzell dialect, and even musical notations indicating the rise or fall in pitch of certain phrases. His dialect, much like Swedish in its musicality, is a "sung" language in its everyday usage. Titus Tobler was also a physician and a renowned archaeologist who made many trips to the Holy Land in the mid-1800's, and unearthed what is now called "Wilson's Arch," a footbridge connecting the Jerusalem Temple Mount with the street below. (The arch is named after Wilson simply because Wilson financed the expedition). Even today, his many written works on the subject of archaeology in the Holy Land are consulted by present-day researchers and archaeologists in that land. All his works are in (high) German, and as far as I know, none of them have been translated into English. Tobler is best known for his archaeological work and writings, making the creation of his Appenzeller dictionary somewhat of a surprise -- but a pleasant and entertaining one. For linguists, and anyone else interested in the development and changing usage of language, this book will enlighten and fascinate. Submitted by Alice (Mrs. Andreas) Tobler on Aug. 8, 2010. (Not a relative of Titus).