Cherokee language
The Cherokee language (ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏬᏂᎯᏍᏗ, Tsalagi Gawonihisdi) is an endangered language spoken by the Cherokee people.[1]
Writing system
The Cherokee language doesn't use the Latin alphabet (ABCs) like English does. Instead, it uses its own alphabet, which has some letters that look like the ABCs. Each letter represents a different syllable sound. This special alphabet was invented by a Cherokee man named Sequoyah.
Below is a chart of all the letters of the Cherokee alphabet and the sound each one makes.
Notes:
- In the chart, ‘v’ represents a nasal vowel, which is pronounced like "ung" in "lung".
- The character Ꮩ do is shown upside-down in some fonts. It should look like the Latin letter V.[a]
Grammar
The Cherokee language uses many prefixes and suffixes.
Cherokee Language Media
Bible cover in Cherokee script
Translation of Genesis into the Cherokee language, 1856
Video of Jerry Wolfe (1924–2018), speaking in English and the Kituwah dialect of Cherokee in 2013
Oklahoma Cherokee language immersion school student writing in the Cherokee syllabary
The Cherokee language taught to preschool students at New Kituwah Academy
Recording of a native Cherokee speaker from the Eastern Band
Recording of a Cherokee language stomp dance ceremony in Oklahoma
Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary
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Notes
References
- ↑ McKie, Scott (June 27, 2019). "Tri-Council declares State of Emergency for Cherokee language". Cherokee One Feather. https://www.theonefeather.com/2019/06/tri-council-declares-state-of-emergency-for-cherokee-language/. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ↑ "Cherokee". download. LanguageGeek.com.
Other websites
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This language has its own Wikipedia project. See the Cherokee language edition. |
