From:Nancy Thomas <nlthomas@YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net>
To:nlthomas@YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net
Subject:Introduction - Cherokee Language Lesson
Date:Thu, 22 Feb 2001 11:41:05 -0800
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Cherokee language lessons Home Page: Archive: Message #2 

Date:  Apr 25 2000 11:42:43 EDT 
>From: "Cherokee language lessons" <botaylor@cherokeemuseum.org> 
Subject: Introduction 


Introduction

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian would like to welcome you to learn the
Cherokee Language.  We are presently teaching this course via e-mail. The
course will be somewhat informal consisting of regular postings of words,
phrases, and general information to help you become a speaker of the
Cherokee language.  There is no charge for this service.  All that we ask
is that you try to speak the language and encourage others to participate.

The dialectal form of the Cherokee language that you will be learning is
the Giduwah or middle dialect.  Walker Calhoun, a resident of the Big Cove
Community, is a well-known traditional leader who has graciously shared
his time and knowledge to teach me the language.  You may have heard or
read different forms or pronunciations of the words, but don't worry about
that now.  Cherokee people in different places use slightly different
pronunciations or dialects.   

I will be providing you with the long form or formal word, so that you
will be able to write the words in the Cherokee syllabary, but I will also
be giving you the conversational form of the word.  This is the area that
you will want to focus on.  In order to learn the language you will have
to incorporate these words into your daily vocabulary.  More important you
will have to think and see in Cherokee. The Cherokee language is a vivid
language and when used correctly you will be able to see the world in a
whole new light.  This will become more apparent as you become more fluent
in the Cherokee language. 

I will be trying to make each lesson as simple as possible.  The phonetic
system that I will be using is based on the basic English alphabet with a
few differences.  All consonant sounds have the basic sounds as the
English with the exception of the (s) sound.  In the Giduwa dialect, the
(s) has the sound of a (Sh).  (Don't worry about this too much-I will
address this matter in another lesson.)  

Another important aspect of the phonetic system that I will have to
address is the vowel system.  As you may know, the English writing system
is based on five vowel sounds, which includes long and short a, e, i, o
and u.  The Cherokee system is based on a six-vowel system, which consists
of a, e, i, o, u and v, and pronounced slightly differently from the
English pronuciation.

It is very important that you take the time to learn this system.  It
might seem complicated at first, and you may ask yourself why don't you
just write the phonetic system using the English system?  Not only are
English vowels used inconsistently, but also you will be learning the
standard way of representing Cherokee language.  

Here is a simple vowel table that you may want to refer to until you get
familiarized with the writing style.

Sounds Represented by Vowels
a, as a in "father"
e, as a in "aim" 
i, as in long e sound in "see"
o, as o in the name "Joe"
u, as in u in "due"
v, as in uh in "uh-huh"

Here are some helpful hints that will help you become a speaker of the
Cherokee language:  

Don't use your lips-The Cherokee language can be spoken entirely without
the use of the lips, with the exception of the m sound which is rarely
used when speaking Cherokee. The Cherokee language is noted for the
absence of labial sounds such as the p, b, f, and very few m sounds.   If
you keep your lips close together, but not closed, and make the sounds
with your tongue, your pronunciation will be much better. Your mouth is
not accustomed to making the sounds that you will need in order to speak
Cherokee. Just as a weight lifter gets stronger with practice, your
pronunciation will become better over time.

Practice, practice, practice-The hardest part to learning a new language
is overcoming your fear to use the language.  In order to become
proficient in the Cherokee language you will have get your tongue, lips
and breathing into shape.  This means you will have to incorporate the
language into everyday life.  It will helpful if you get someone that you
see regularly to learn the language with you.

I want to welcome you as we begin our journey to learn the Cherokee
language.

Bo Taylor

.