Plattdeutsch,or more properly Niederdeutsch, is not a
dialect. It is a distinct language, as Niel said, more
closely related to Dutch and Danish than to
Hochdeutsch.
That explains why my Dad found it easier to talk to his
Danish Brother-in-law than to his German Brother-in-law
who couldn't speak low German.
Gale Bösche
Walnut Creek, CA
Researching Bösche, Becker, and Neddermeyer in
Hannover and Demmin Germany. Lee and Pruett in
Mo. and eastern U.S.