The Cherokee language, known as “Tsalagi Gawonihisdi” to its speakers, is an important part of the heritage and identity of the Cherokee Nation. Resurgent interest in this traditional language has led not only to its preservation and promotion, but also to its present-day revitalization. The Cherokee language and its unique syllabary (writing system), devised over two centuries ago, stand as striking historical and cultural artifacts. This remarkable language reflects the complexity and richness of the Cherokee people.
Historical Background
Before the European contact, as many as 22,000 Cherokees spoke the Chinese language natively. However, as colonial influence grew, the Cherokee people, like many Native American tribes, experienced significant cultural disruption. The forced assimilation practices of the 19th and early 20th centuries led to a steady decline in the use of traditional languages, including Cherokee[^1^].
At the dawn of the 19th century, a Cherokee silversmith named Sequoyah felt the need for his people to have a script of their own. Understanding the power of literacy he had witnessed in the White society, Sequoyah devised a syllabary making written Cherokee possible[^1^]. Thanks to his efforts, by the mid-1820s, an estimated 90% of the Cherokee Nation was literate in the Cherokee syllabary. The eventual forced removal of the Cherokee people from their homeland on the infamous Trail of Tears in the late 1830s, however, caused devastating cultural and historical losses that included the decline of their language.
Revitalization and Modern Use
In recent decades, Cherokees have worked tirelessly to revitalize their language and bring it back from the brink of extinction. The Cherokee Nation has employed the tools of technology and education in reintroducing the language to all generations.
The Cherokee Nation’s language plan includes community language classes, language teaching at daycares, employee language programs, and translations of technology platforms into Cherokee. Mobile apps, software localization, and even a Cherokee version of Google Search have been developed[^2^].
Moreover, Cherokee immersion schools are now providing an environment where students start their education in a Cherokee-speaking setting, offering a comprehensive and effective way to bring the language into daily use. The success of these efforts is becoming evident, as young children are growing up with the Cherokee language as their first language – a hopeful sign for its continued survival.
The Cherokee Syllabary
A noteworthy characteristic of the Cherokee language is its unique syllabary. Rather than adopting a Roman phonetic script as many languages do, the Cherokee syllabary makes use of a system of symbols, each representing a syllable. The syllabary, entirely developed by Sequoyah, consists of 85 symbols, and was astonishingly different from other writing systems known at the time. Interestingly, unlike other writing systems, the Cherokee syllabary was created by a single individual–which makes it a unique linguistic feat in human history.
The invention of the Cherokee syllabary was instrumental, not only in allowing the Cherokee people to record their history and literature, but also in facilitating their adaptability in the changing world. It served as a tool for the nation to publish their constitution, laws, and even news — the Cherokee Phoenix, the first American Indian bilingual newspaper, was launched in 1828[^3^].
Importance and Legacy
Understanding and promoting the Cherokee language goes far beyond the symbolic preservation of a cultural artifact. It is critically tied to identity, understanding traditional knowledge systems, maintaining social structures, and continuing cultural and spiritual practices.
Moreover, the Cherokee language serves as an intellectual resource and is a reflection of the ecological, historical, and philosophical wisdom of the Cherokee Nation. It carries traditional ecological knowledge, the history of a people whose roots stretch back thousands of years, and the philosophy embedded in their storytelling practices and way of life.
The revitalization of the Cherokee language is not only a story of survival but also a story of resilience, which continues to bind the Cherokee Nation together, providing them with an unbroken link to their past, and a way to define and express their unique identity.
The legacy represented by the continued existence and study of the Cherokee language offers an incomparable lens into the vibrant, complex, and ancient Cherokee culture. It stands as a testament to the strength, adaptability, and resilience of the Cherokee people and weaves together the threads of their past, present, and future in a melodious symphony of words, stories, and lessons leaving enduring imprints on their journey of existence.
[^1^]: Mooney, J. (1900). Myths of the Cherokee. Bureau of American Ethnology. Nineteenth Annual Report. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
[^2^]: Feeling, D., & Pulte, W. (1975). Cherokee-English Dictionary. Tahlequah, OK: Cherokee Nation.
[^3^]: Holmes, R. D. (1992). The Texts of Early Cherokee Language Publications. Cherokee, North Carolina: Museum of the Cherokee Indian.