The indigenous peoples of North America, including the Cherokee Nation, provide a rich cultural history. Included in this cultural diversity is the variety of indigenous languages, many of which are sadly dwindling or extinct. The Cherokee language, however, continues to survive due to concerted efforts to revive and preserve it. The details surrounding the Cherokee language, particularly the intricacies of its syllabary and alphabet, offer an engrossing study.
Historical Background
To grasp the depth of Cherokee language, it’s essential to acknowledge the history. The Cherokee Nation, formerly inhabited the Southeastern woodlands of America, covering what we now recognize as Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama[^1^]. Today, the largest population resides in Oklahoma, due to the forced migration in the 19th century known as the Trail of Tears.
The Cherokee language, or Tsalagi Gawonihisdi in Cherokee, has its roots in the Iroquoian language family[^2^]. When Europeans first arrived, the Cherokee language was entirely verbal and didn’t have a written component.
Cherokee Syllabary and Alphabet
The creation of written Cherokee is attributed to Sequoyah (also called George Gist), a Cherokee silversmith. Notably, Sequoyah was illiterate in any language. Yet, in 1809, he embarked on a 12-year project to create a writing system for the Cherokee language. He developed a syllabary — a set of written characters representing syllables[^3^].
The Cherokee syllabary contains 85 characters, each representing a syllable used in the spoken language. Sequoyah initially crafted each character to represent a word, but transitioned to syllables for simplification[^3^]. This syllabary enabled the Cherokee Nation to attain a higher literacy rate than surrounding European-American settlers by 1825[^4^].
Cherokee syllabary is distinctive also due to its striking incorporation of ‘soft’ sounds. For instance, there are six different syllables for the ‘s’ sound, based on the vowels that follow. Similarly, there are multiple symbols for ‘d’, ‘t’, ‘h’, and ‘y’ sounds.
Current Status of the Cherokee Language
Due to the various historical events such as the Trail of Tears and forced assimilation, the transmission of the Cherokee language has been severely impacted. Today, there are fewer than 2,000 fluent speakers, the vast majority of whom are elders[^5^].
However, the preservation and revival of the Cherokee language are being pursued ardently. The Cherokee Language Program launched in 2007 by the Cherokee Nation, aims to encourage new generations to learn the language. Such initiatives include immersion schools, community classes, and online resources aimed at fostering language use at all age levels[^5^].
Conclusion
Language is a cultural conduit, carrying the history, values, and worldview of a people within its structure and usage. The Cherokee language, with its unique syllabary and alphabet, is no exception. There is a tangible link between language preservation and the continued existence of indigenous cultures. Efforts to bolster the language’s usage among new generations are vital to preserving this unique aspect of the Cherokee Nation’s cultural heritage.
Languages aren’t merely a means of communication. They carry the rich tapestry of a community’s story, giving us insight into their worldview, values, and history. The Cherokee language, with its unique syllabary and alphabet, offers us precious knowledge about the Cherokee Nation’s intricate cultural heritage. Its preservation is not just a matter of historical appreciation; it’s a vital part of sustaining the vibrancy of the Cherokee Nation today.
Sources
[^1^]: Roark, Donald S. “Cherokee”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 September, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cherokee.
[^2^]: “Iroquoian languages.” Oxford Bibliographies. www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199772810/obo-9780199772810-0022.xml.
[^3^]: “Sequoyah.” New World Encyclopedia. www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sequoyah.
[^4^]: “Sequoyah and the Cherokee Syllabary.” Texas State Historical Association. www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/sequoyah-and-the-cherokee-syllabary.
[^5^]: King, Duane H. “Cherokee Language Today.” Cherokee Nation, www.cherokee.org/about-the-nation/cherokee-language/cherokee-language-today/.