The Cherokee Nation will be offering a Cherokee language course online through the tribe’s web site beginning Jan. 7
December 23, 2007
Iroquoian Language Group
Iroquoian Language Group
Iroquoian Language Family
The Iroquoian languages are a First Nation and Native American language family. This language family includes Mohawk, Huron-Wyandot and Cherokee, among others.
Every language in this family has at least one nasal vowel phoneme. Cherokee’s is a nasal schwa, written in transliteration as ‘v’ (for example, “Hv?” sounds like “Huh?” nasalized, and means the same thing).
What has been called the Laurentian language appears to be actually more than one dialect or language.
In 1649 the tribes constituting the Huron and Petun confederations were displaced by war parties from Five Nations villages (Mithun 1985). Many of the survivors went on to form the Wyandot tribe. Ethnographic and linguistic field work with the Wyandot (Barbeau 1960) yielded enough documentation to be able to make some characterizations of the Huron and Petun languages.
The languages of the tribes that constituted the Neutral and the Erie confederations were very poorly documented. These groups were called Atiwandaronk meaning ‘they who understand the language’ by the Huron, and thus are historically grouped with them.
The group known as the Meherrin were neighbors to the Tuscarora and the Nottoway (Binford 1967) and may have spoken an Iroquoian language, but there is not enough data to determine this with certainty.
The last two Huronian languages, as well as Nottoway and Susquehannock, are probably now extinct.Attempts to link the Iroquoian and Caddoan languages in a Macro-Siouan family are suggestive but remain hypothetical. Similar attempts to find a connection with the Algonkian languages has been partially useful, but not enough evidence for linguists to propose a hypothetical Macro-Algonkian/Iroquoian language family.
Family Divisions:
Northern Iroquoian
Lakes Iroquoian
Five Nations and Susquehannock Seneca-Onondaga
Seneca-Cayuga
Seneca
Cayuga
Onondaga Onodaga
Mohawk-Oneida Oneida Mohawk
Susquehannock Susquehannock (extinct)
Huronian Wyandot (Huron-Petun) (extinct) Neutral (extinct) Erie (extinct)
Tuscarora-Nottoway Tuscarora (seriously endangered)
Nottoway (extinct)
Southern Iroquoian
Cherokee
November 9, 2002
There are a lot of people out there who attend sweat lodges and here are some terms that you would use at sweat lodge if you were speaking in Cherokee.
March 13, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say What are you going to do today in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
March 13, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say What kind of food did you bring in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
March 11, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Walker bless it Creator bless me in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the […]
Cherokee language lesson: Brew it
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say brew it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
Cherokee language lesson: Pour It
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say pour it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
Cherokee language lesson: Blow it
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say blow it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
Cherokee language lesson: Buy it
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say buy it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
March 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Take the bowl and set it on the table in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern […]
March 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Give this yellow paper to your mom in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
Cherokee language lesson: Stir It
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say stir it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
March 1, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Give this cold drink to your sister in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
March 1, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say give this basketball to your brother in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the […]
March 1, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say stop what you’re doing and come here in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
March 1, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say pretty girl is dancing fast in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa […]
February 28, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Give this blue pen to your dad in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
February 28, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Is it possible you could bring some fried chicken tonight in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the […]
February 28, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say be happy in Cherokee language Valentine’s Day study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Author: Bo Taylor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. […]
Cherokee language lesson: It Fits
22 ViewsFebruary 16, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say it fits in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
February 16, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say halloween in Cherokee I’m not scared mask are you scared it is scary witch spirit language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with […]
February 16, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say where did you get in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. […]
February 16, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say you get up Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
February 15, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons listen get up Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound recordings. In this […]