A Deeper Look into the Cherokee Language

The Cherokee language (ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏬᏂᎯᏍᏗ) holds overwhelming significance for the Cherokee Nation, acting as a key element of their cultural identity that ties together generations of the Cherokee people. A southern Iroquoian language native to North America, Cherokee is rich, complex, and intriguing in its linguistic features and history. After experiencing a decline, initiatives are presently in place to revive this beautiful language and re-establish it among future Cherokee generations.

Linguistic Features and Syllabary

The Cherokee language stands out among other Native American languages mainly due to its syllabary. An entirely unique writing system, the Cherokee Syllabary, was developed by the brilliant Sequoyah (George Gist), a silversmith by profession, in the early 19th century[^1^].

Unlike an alphabet, a syllabary doesn’t utilize separate letters for consonants and vowels. Instead, it employs individual characters to represent each syllable in the language. This system capable of being taught in a few weeks became widely adopted by the Cherokee community; thus, back in the 19th century, they achieved a higher literacy rate than their European-American neighbors.

History and Evolution

The historical journey of the Cherokee language is filled with obstacles and triumphs. By the 1960s, the number of fluent Cherokee speakers had started to decrease drastically. Rapid integration with an English speaking world, strict American schooling systems that discouraged the use of native languages, and other socio-political factors highly contributed to this decline.

The early 21st century, unfortunately, saw a further decline. A report of 2002 indicated that only 7,500 among the 10,400 fluent Cherokee speakers identified in 1991were still alive[^2^]. This decline is a cultural issue of great concern for the Cherokee Nation.

Revival Initiatives

Today, the Cherokee Nation has embarked upon multiple initiatives to revive their precious language. Education plays a crucial role in these efforts. The Nation runs immersive language programs for children and provides language resources and classes for adults. These aid, not only in spreading the language to the younger generation but also in bridging the generational gap, as the language is largely used by elders of the community.

Apart from this, technology has also played a key role in the modern revival of Cherokee. Smartphones, computers, and even social media platforms have incorporated Cherokee language interfaces, enabling younger, technologically adept generations to learn and use the language[^3^].

Conclusion

The Cherokee language is more than just a communication tool for the Cherokee Nation. It’s a heritage, an asset that bridges past, present, and future Cherokee generations. While the language is still threatened, the community’s impressive efforts towards its revival inspire hope. Knowing the language allows Cherokee people to fully understand their history, songs, dances, and culture in a way not necessarily possible through the lens of another language.

[^1^]: Boudinot, E. (1844) [An Address to the Whites]” ➢ https://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/boudinot/boudinot.html

[^2^]: Anderton Alice, PhD; Topa Equa (2010).”Cherokee Language Revitalization”. ➢ https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/PB1784.pdf

[^3^]: Fazel, L. (2018, December 2). How the Cherokee Nation has helped the Cherokee language survive in the 21st Century. ➢ https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2018/12/how-the-cherokee-nation-has-helped-the-cherokee-language-survive-in-the-21st-c-551395

Change Log:

2019-07-09: Initial creation

2020-04-12: Added section on revival initiatives

2021-09-10: Updated history section, added resources.