Cherokee syllabary

Cherokee syllabary is a unique writing system created by Sequoyah for the Cherokee language, which is spoken by the Cherokee Nation and is an official language of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. The syllabary consists of 85 characters, each representing a distinct syllable in the Cherokee language, and is used by Cherokee people to write their language. The creation of the syllabary is attributed to Sequoyah, who presented it to the Cherokee Council in 1821, and it has been an essential part of Cherokee culture and Cherokee heritage ever since, with institutions like the Cherokee Heritage Center and the National Museum of the American Indian showcasing its importance.

Introduction

The Cherokee syllabary is a significant achievement in the history of linguistics and orthography, with scholars like Noam Chomsky and William Sturtevant recognizing its importance. It has been used by notable Cherokee people such as Wilma Mankiller, Wiley Post, and Jim Thorpe to write in their native language. The syllabary has also been used in various Cherokee media outlets, including the Cherokee Phoenix and Cherokee Times, to promote Cherokee language and Cherokee culture. Additionally, institutions like the University of Oklahoma and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have recognized the importance of the syllabary in preserving Cherokee heritage.

History

The creation of the Cherokee syllabary is a testament to the ingenuity of Sequoyah, who was inspired by the Latin alphabet used by European-Americans like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. The syllabary was first introduced to the Cherokee Nation in 1821 and was quickly adopted by the Cherokee people, with the help of Cherokee leaders like John Ross and Stand Watie. The syllabary played a crucial role in the Cherokee Renaissance of the 19th century, with writers like John Rollin Ridge and Elias Boudinot using it to write in their native language. The syllabary has also been recognized by institutions like the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration for its historical significance.

Structure

The Cherokee syllabary consists of 85 characters, each representing a distinct syllable in the Cherokee language. The syllabary is written from left to right, with each character representing a combination of a consonant and a vowel, similar to the Devanagari script used to write Hindi and Sanskrit. The syllabary has been used to write a wide range of texts, including the Cherokee Bible, which was translated by Cherokee missionaries like Samuel Worcester and Elias Boudinot. Scholars like Edward Sapir and Leonard Bloomfield have studied the syllabary and its structure, recognizing its importance in the field of linguistics. Additionally, the syllabary has been used in language education programs, such as those offered by the Cherokee Nation Education Department and the University of Oklahoma College of Arts and Sciences.

Usage

The Cherokee syllabary is still used today by the Cherokee Nation and is an official language of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. It is used in a variety of contexts, including education, government, and media, with institutions like the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council and the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court using it in official documents. The syllabary has also been used by Cherokee artists like Will Sampson and Wes Studi to create Cherokee art and Cherokee literature. Furthermore, the syllabary has been recognized by organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities for its cultural significance. The syllabary has also been used in cultural events like the Cherokee National Holiday and the Gathering of Nations.

Orthography

The Cherokee syllabary has a unique orthography that is distinct from other writing systems, with scholars like John Selden and William Dwight Whitney recognizing its importance. The syllabary uses a combination of logographic and syllabic elements, similar to the Japanese writing system, which consists of Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana. The syllabary has been used to write a wide range of texts, including the Cherokee Constitution and the Cherokee Code, which are important documents in Cherokee law and Cherokee governance. Institutions like the Cherokee Heritage Center and the National Museum of the American Indian have recognized the importance of the syllabary in preserving Cherokee heritage and Cherokee culture. Additionally, the syllabary has been used in language preservation efforts, such as those led by the Cherokee Language Department and the Endangered Languages Project.

Category:Writing systems