Cherokee
RegionUSA (Oklahoma)
FamilyIroquoian
Speakers2,000 fluent speakers
ScriptCherokee syllabary
TypeSyllabary
About Cherokee
A major Native American language of the Iroquoian family. Sequoyah completed its 86 character syllabary in 1821, one of the few scripts invented by a single known person. Literacy raced through the nation, which soon printed its own newspaper. Thousands of 19th century pages survive. Immersion schools now raise new speakers.