A language embodies a people’s culture, history, and identity. It serves as a gateway into the understanding of cultural nuances and allows one the privilege of grasping more profound insights of a community different from our own. For the Cherokee Nation, their language represents their rich past, struggles, and, ultimately, their enduring spirit. One cannot fathom buoying in the depth of Cherokee’s culture without learning the Cherokee language (1).
Origin and Development of the Cherokee Language
Belonging to the Iroquoian family, the Cherokee language, or ᏣᎳᎩ, pronounced ‘Tsalagi,’ stands distinct from its family members due to the critical differences in vocabulary and phonology. Historical linguists hypothesize that these differences emerge from Cherokee’s prolonged separation from their Northern Iroquoian relatives (2).
Where the written communication within the Cherokee Nation is concerned, their syllabary holds an incredibly captivating tale. Up until the early 19th century, the Cherokee language had no writing system. This changed when Sequoyah, also known as George Guess, introduced the Cherokee syllabary around 1821. Born with a physical disability, Sequoyah was unable to participate in physical labor or warfare, leading to him devoting his time to the development of a unique Cherokee writing system. In the beginning, he first experimented with pictographs before moving towards a syllabary system. Each of the 85 characters in his system represented a syllable sound used in the Cherokee language, hence making it simpler for his people to learn and write (3).
Cultural Significance of the Cherokee Language
The introduction of the Cherokee syllabary was groundbreaking; it proved to be a powerful medium in elevating the Cherokee people’s trade, diplomacy, and culture. The new syllabary brought about a literary revolution within the Cherokee Nation, culminating in the publication of the Cherokee Phoenix, the first newspaper printed by Native Americans, in their own language (2).
The Cherokee language is also a profound symbol and component of their cultural identity. It is deeply interwoven with their spiritual beliefs and practices, societal laws, narratives, and artistic expressions. Without an understanding of Tsalagi, these cultural aspects can be easily misunderstood or misrepresented (1).
Current Revival Measures
The Cherokee Nation has wholly recognized the need to preserve and promote their language. Due to the impact of European colonization, forced assimilation, and the devastating consequences of the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee language faced severe endangerment. However, the community has focused on measures to ensure their language thrives.
As part of revitalization efforts, both governmental and community-based initiatives have been set up. The Cherokee Nation established immersion schools to cultivate the language in younger generations. Adult language learning programs, smartphone applications, and online courses have been created to widen the language’s reach and understanding (3).
Cultivating the language within their own community is critically important, but Cherokee Nation is also committed to educating others about the significance and intricacies of their lexicon. The mutual respect and understanding inspired through this vocabulary exchange is one of the relationships they hope to foster with other cultures (1).
In an era of globalization and cultural amalgamation, preserving linguistic diversity is as important as preserving biological diversity. The Cherokee language, like many other indigenous languages, is a precious gem that encompasses a people’s worldview, knowledge, and a testimony of their civilization. The resilience of the Cherokee people is echoed in the efforts they make to ensure that their language continues from generation to generation. And by understanding and learning about Tsalagi, we not only add another lexicon to our knowledge but also gain respect and insight into the rich cultural terrain of the Cherokee Nation.
Sources:
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“Cherokee language, writing system and pronunciation.” Omniglot. Accessed October 21, 2021. https://omniglot.com/writing/cherokee.htm
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Golla, Victor. “Iroquoian Languages.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed October 21, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Iroquoian-languages
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History.com Editors. “Sequoyah creates the Cherokee syllabary.” HISTORY. August 24, 2018. Accessed October 21, 2021. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sequoyah-creates-cherokee-syllabary