Simmons, Ida, Floydie Propst, Joshua Propst, Ella Hall, Hubert Hall, interviewed by Kurt Kehr, 1975

Scope and content:

Interview with 1) Ida Simmons from Franklin, WV; 2) Floydie E Propst from Brandywine, WV; and 3) Ella and Hubert Hall from Doe Hill, VA on August 25, 1975. Kehr begins by asking Ida for the Virginia German version of some English words. Then he reads sentences in English, which she translates. He also asks Ida some questions about her family and where she came from. They dedicate a long time to discussing her childhood and family history. This interview also explains the concept of "slop bucket Dutch" which is a term introduced in Kehr's article, "Virginia German between Shenandoah and Potomac." After his interview with Ida, he has Floydie sing a song in Virginia German and identify a few words. Lastly, Kehr interviews Ella and Hubert and they begin with a story about Granville Puffenbarger, who recently died. Kehr asks them a few questions about their childhood and upbringing and then ends the interview by asking them for the dialect translation of a few English words.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Parent restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Parent terms of access:
The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu). Audio materials may not be reproduced without the consent of the heirs of the participants.

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