What is the proper word for the descendants of colonial German immigrants to Pennsylvania?

[Bobby Martnen]

I say it's Pennsylvania Dutch, since it's the more common term, preferred by most dictionaries, and closest to what they call themselves in their own language. (Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch)

Etain says it's Pennsylvania German, since they originate from Germany, not Holland.

So which is it?

[Mortimer]

pennsylvanian dutch. dutch sounds like deutsch which means german.

[Ruggery]

They are Germans not Dutchs.

[Ruggery]

Could Pennsylvania be filled with Dutch?

[NSXD60]

Pennsylvania Deutsche

[Ruggery]

Pennsylvania Deutsche

That term is appropriate.

[Bobby Martnen]

Pennsylvania Deutsche

That's a mixture of two languages - in German it would be Pennsylvanisch Deutsch

[Smeagol]

Pennsylvania Dutch. That's what they call themselves.

[Bobby Martnen]

Pennsylvania Dutch. That's what they call themselves.

Exactly. "Pennsylvania German" is a hypercorrection that is mostly used in academia.

[Jennifer]

Pennsylvania Dutch. It comes from Deutsch sounding like Dutch, yes, but it's become traditional.