Language acquisition can be difficult, but it is by no means impossible. The rules are simple enough—start with a few words and phrases and build upon this knowledge in order to expand your vocabulary. However, this trick will only take you so far. In order to fully understand the nuances of the Cherokee language, it important to know how to modify these words and phrases into more complex statements. This is where mere memorization transitions into language acquisition. In order to affirm what we have already reviewed, let’s construct a few sentences using some familiar phrases.
Questions and Answers
The following scenario will allow you to see the Cherokee language in action. Unlike previous conversations, you will see how Cherokee is modified to respond to direct address. Imagine two strangers have encountered each other along the road. Naturally, an introduction is necessary:
Alicia: O-si-yo
Val: O-si-yo. Dto-hi-tsu
Alicia: O-si-quu. Ni-hi-na
Val: O-si-quu
Alicia greets Val in a traditional way, using o-si-yo. Remember, o-si-yo means “hello”. This is the only greeting in the Cherokee language. Val responds by returning Alicia’s greeting and asking dto-hi-tsu (“how are you”)? Alicia responds with o-si-quu (“I am well”) and then asks ni-hi-na.
In Other Words
In Cherokee, ni-hi-na translates into “and how about you”? In this context, it is implied that Alicia is asking after Val’s general condition—state of mind and physical well being. Notice that the response is the same. Had Val been feeling unwell, she might have responded with u-yo-i—which means “no good”. As with English, there are many ways to express one’s feelings. Val could also respond with ho-wa—a word meaning, “o.k.” She could have said o-sda, which means “good” or “fair”.
Lack of Punctuation
There are no punctuation marks in these phrases because Cherokee speakers do not use punctuation in the same way as English speakers. Cherokee was once solely an oral language, with emphasis placed on the stressing of the individual vowel sounds. When written, Cherokee does not use traditional punctuation.
What’s in a Name?
Having dispensed with the pleasantries, the two women must be introduced to one another in order for this friendly exchange to continue.
Val: Ga-do de-tsa-do-a (What is your name?)
Alicia: Alicia da-wa?-do:-wa (Alicia is my name)
In Cherokee, the subject comes first in most cases. This is not a strict rule, as there are a few exceptions. However, when constructing a sentence in Cherokee it is good to follow this form. In the above scenario, the name came first followed by the rest of the sentence. Try this with your own name and see what it looks like in the original Cherokee.
Asking for Direction
As it happens, Val is looking for her new school and in desperate need of directions.
Val: A-qua-le-na-hi-da. (I am lost) Ye-li-quu-sgo yi-g(i)-sde-la (Will you help me?)
Alicia: Ha-dlv he:-ga (Where are you going?)
Val: Tsu-na-de-lo-qua-sdi ge-ga (School, I am going) I-vi-hi-ge (Is it far?)
Alicia: V-tla (No). Tso-i yu-tli-lo-da (Two miles)
Val: Wa-do (Thank you)
Sources:
- Michael Garrett. Walking on the Wind. (Rochester:Bear and Company Publishing, 1998).
- Ruth Bradley Holmes and Betty Sharp Smith. Beginning Cherokee. (Norman; University of Oklahoma Press, 1977).
- Native Languages of the Americas: Cherokee
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