The Cherokee Nation, one of the largest and powerful tribes in North America, is not merely known for its historical prowess or the unsettling event of the Trail of Tears. An underlying characteristic, often side-lined yet instrumental to their identity, is their unique language – the Cherokee language.
The History and Psychodynamics of the Language
Originated around the mid-18th century, the Cherokee language, also known as Tsalagi Gawonihisdi in the mother tongue, played a significant role in shaping the tribal history and culture[^1^]. Undoubtedly, certain aspects of the language are influenced by the neighboring communities and nuances of Native American linguistics.
What differentiates the Cherokee language from others is its syllabary system, an alternative to the traditional alphabetic system of other languages. This was designed by Sequoyah, a renowned Native American polymath, and it forever revolutionized Cherokee education, literacy, and scholarship[^1^].
The syllabary comprises 85 characters, each representing a particular syllable rather than a single sound. This groundbreaking innovation facilitated rapid literacy among the Cherokees during the 1820s[^2^]. This elevated the Cherokee Nation’s communication efforts, bolstered their cultural richness, and equipped them to deal with their ever-changing circumstances.
The Impact of the Trail of Tears
The unfortunate event of the Cherokee removal, infamously known as the Trail of Tears, was a severe blow to the physical, emotional, and cultural well-being of the Cherokee people[^1^]. Besides the catastrophic loss of lives and homeland, it unavoidably impacted the transmission of the Cherokee language.
The forced expulsion and the subsequent settling into unfamiliar territory led to displacement and disruption of the language lineage. This, coupled with the forced assimilation into American society and schooling in English language, led to the gradual decline and the near extinction of the Cherokee language[^3^].
Resurgence and Revitalization
Post Trail of Tears era, the Cherokee Nation found itself in a constant struggle to preserve, revitalize, and pass on its language to the next generations. There has been tangible progress, and notable endeavors are undertaken to revive the uptake of the language.
Welcoming the digital age, several Cherokee language applications, online classes, and teaching resources are now easily accessible, reinstating interest and learning among youth[^2^]. Cherokee cultural centres and heritage museums have become hubs of promoting linguistic understanding, having exclusive sections for the Cherokee language.
Furthering its appeal, the language is being introduced in signage across Cherokee communes and even Google has included the syllabary in its language tool[^2^]. The efforts to rekindle the passion for the language even prompted the University of Oklahoma to start a Cherokee language education program[^3^].
A Living Heritage
The Cherokee language is much more than a tool of communication. Amid the sounds, syllables, and semantics, it carries centuries-old wisdom, traditional beliefs, mythology, and a sense of Cherokee identity. It is a code that binds the Cherokee community together and bridges the gap between their forbears’ experiences and modern perspectives. Reviving and promoting it is no less than restoring a piece of Cherokee soul, ensuring their voice continues to echo in the heartland of North America.
The Cherokee language is proof that languages are not just carriers of meaning but encapsulators of heritage. And as the Cherokee teach us, no matter how bitter the setbacks are, cultural vigor can spur the revival of the nearly lost, and transform it into a living legacy.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
[^1^]: Pulte, William and Feeling, Durbin. “Cherokee” In Native Languages of the Southeastern United States, edited by Heather K. Hardy and Janine Scancarelli, 351-384. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2005.
[^2^]: Mithlo, Nancy Marie. “Cherokee Syllabary” In Speak to Me Words: Essays on Contemporary American Indian Poetry, edited by Janice Gould and Dean Rader, 97-114. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press, 2003.
[^3^]: Baldwin, Kenneth H. “The Cherokee Indian Nation: A Troubled History”. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press, 1979.