Cherokee language facts for kids
The Cherokee language (ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏬᏂᎯᏍᏗ, Tsalagi Gawonihisdi) is an endangered language spoken by the Cherokee people.
Writing system
The Cherokee do not use the Latin alphabet (ABCs) like English does. Instead, they use their own alphabet, which looks a lot 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.
Grammar
The Cherokee language uses many prefixes and suffixes.
Images for kids
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Translation of Genesis into the Cherokee language, 1856
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Tsali Boulevard in Cherokee, North Carolina
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Wikitongues Jerry speaking Cherokee.mp3
Recording of a native Cherokee speaker from the Eastern Band
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Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary
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Cherokee stop sign, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with "alehwisdiha" (also spelled "halehwisda") meaning "stop"
