When considering the indigenous languages of North America, few share the unique story and international recognition as the Cherokee Language. However, although its syllabary and alphabet were only introduced in the nineteenth century, the language itself has a rich and complex history that dates back considerably further. This article takes a deep dive into the Cherokee Language, focusing on the inception and usage of the Cherokee Syllabary and Cherokee Alphabet.
Historical Background
The Cherokee Nation, nicknamed “Aniyunwiya“, meaning “the Real People” by its speakers, holds a rich heritage, culture, and history. Native to the Southeastern woodlands of the United States, the Cherokee Nation was one of the largest indigenous tribes during pre-colonial times; one of the “Five Civilized Tribes”, a European label given to the Five Tribes that adopted colonial customs [^1^].
The use of written script in the Cherokee language was popularized by Sequoyah (also known as George Gist), a silversmith. Around 1809, moved by the importance of written communication in dominating European culture, Sequoyah began developing a system for Cherokee writing [^2^].
Introduction of Cherokee Syllabary
The Cherokee Syllabary was the first writing system used by the Cherokee people. It was not related to the English alphabet, nor was it a direct copy of other Native American scripts. Instead, Sequoyah invented a unique syllabary—a set of written symbols that represent syllables.
In the Cherokee Syllabary, each symbol represents a syllable rather than a single letter, as is customary in alphabets. For instance, the word “Cherokee” (ᏣᎳᎩ, pronounced “tsa-la-gi”) is written using three characters:
- Ꮳ (tsa)
- Ꮃ (la)
- Ꭹ (gi)
Cleverly designed for simplicity, the system was so intuitively created that many Cherokee people became literate within a few weeks of learning the script [^2^].
Birth of the Cherokee Alphabet
Despite the user-friendly and accessible nature of this new artistic written medium, an alphabet was needed to meet the rising demands for Cherokee literacy following its establishment as an official language in schools and institutions. It was in response to these social changes that the Cherokee Alphabet came into being.
Importantly, the Cherokee Alphabet retains the syllabic approach but introduces refinements that make the language even easier to read and write. The Cherokee Alphabet is composed of 85 characters, each corresponding to a specific sound in the Cherokee Language.
Sequoyah’s creation was culturally significant; it was an enduring symbol of defiance and resilience that reaffirmed their cultural identity while simultaneously giving them a tool to engage with the ever-encroaching European colonial powers on an intellectual and legal level [^3^].
Afterthoughts
In summary, the Cherokee Syllabary and Cherokee Alphabet are remarkable linguistic innovations created by a people who had been traditionally excluded from the literary world. At a time when written language was a tool of power, the Cherokee people seized the opportunity to define their tongue on their terms, preserving their stories, laws, and culture.
Although challenged by the test of time, the Cherokee language and its written forms remain a symbol of determination and resilience to this day. Teaching these linguistics systems is more than about preserving the Cherokee language; it’s about preserving Cherokee history, culture, and identity for the generations to come.
References
[^1^]: Perdue, Theda. “”Cherokee”. Encyclopedia of North American Indians”. Native American History, Culture, and Life. (1996).
[^2^]: Ina Van der Sluis, “Sequoyah and the Strange Marks: the Invention of the Cherokee Syllabary”. Journal of Cherokee Studies, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 40-52, (1986).
[^3^]: Minges, Patrick N. “Cherokee” in The American Mosaic: The American Indian Experience. ABC-CLIO. (2013).