This paper discusses the use of Yiddish as a first language in Ultra-Orthodox Jewish
communities compared to the use of the
local
vernacular. It examines how one hypothesis often put forward to explain this is the history of modernization in the Jewish faith as a whole, and the effects this had on the use of the vernacular among different Haredim. It explores the daily patterns of the use of the vernacular by different groups of Orthodox Jews (Haredim) in various places, including London, Philadelphia, and Israel. The paper also looks at the effects that outside pressures have on the use of Yiddish and on issues of identity for Jews, in general, and includes reflections upon the issue of the use of Yiddish by Orthodox Jews in more general sociological terms, in terms of language and ethnicity, the use of language to determine group identity, and the use of language to define religious identity. Outline Summary Introduction Chapter 1: The Sociology of Language Chapter 2: The Adoption of Yiddish by Orthodox Jewish
Communities Chapter 3: The Use of the Yiddish vs. the Vernacular Amongst Orthodox Jewish Communities Chapter 4: Conclusions