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| Cherokee Language -Basic Glossary- Kituwah (Eastern) Dialect |
| My Celtic ancestors, the Scots, were a tribal people. Beginning in the 18th century, their way of life was irrevocably changed by force of arms. After the tragic events of Culloden, the English sought to break our culture by passing such laws as forbidding the wearing of traditional clothing (namely the kilt), banning the bagpipes (considered a "weapon of war,") and keeping my people unarmed. The Highland Clearances saw the often-forcible removal of my people from their lands and homes. The story of the Highland Scots, the Irish and other Celtic peoples is not unlike the experience of many Native Americans. I respect many Native American peoples and have a special affinity for the Haudenosaunee people (Iroquois). The language and many of the customs of the Cherokee are Iroquoian in nature and my affinity extends to them as well. Within my interests in historical reenactment, I have a persona who was a Cherokee captive/adoptive. Because of this, I try to incorporate as much of the Kituwah dialect into my reenactment portrayals as possible. Brief History of the Cherokee Language The word "Cherokee" comes from the first encounter with white/eastern settlers in 1708. The tribe at that time was quite large and had three principal dialects: eastern, middle and western. The original eastern dialect (now extinct and replaced my the middle dialect) had a rolling "r" instead of an "l" sound and said "tsa-rah-gee." The Spanish expanding from the south encountered the western and middle dialects where the people used the "l" sound and said "tsah-lah-gee." The Cherokee language is currently two main dialects, western and eastern. My interest is mainly in the Eastern, or Kituwah, dialect. The Kituwah dialect is that of the 300 or so Cherokee who hid in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina when the US Army force-marched the rest of the Cherokee people to their present home in Oklahoma. This force-march is known as the "Trail of Tears." The Kituwah people, under the leadership of Chief Tsali, were eventually allowed to stay, but the army executed the chief in retaliation for his defiance. I choose to focus on the Eastern/Kituwah dialect as it is nearest the original language used in the 18th century. This is mainly because Western Cherokee (or "Overhill" dialect) was fairly influenced by other Native American languages that they encountered in Oklahoma. Still, the Western/Overhill dialect is considered by many to be softest musical dialect of the Cherokee language. (Information presented from Barbara "Shining Woman" Warren's: "History of the Cherokee Tsa-La-Gi Language.") Disclaimer: I do not speak Cherokee. I know only a handful of words and phrases. If you are a fluent Cherokee speaker, and can offer suggestions or corrections to any mistakes I've made, I would appreciate hearing from you. Most of the content on these pages is taken from two sources: Billie Ruth Walls' booklet "Speak Cherokee Right Now," and Marie Junaluska's "Eastern Cherokee: A Language Sampler." Although it does not say, Ms. Walls' booklet is western dialect. I've written all words out phonetically and used hyphens to show syllables, and capital letters to show emphasis. The "ts" sound is similar to "z," which can be substituted. Cherokee- Tsalagai (Eastern: tsah lah gee) (Western: jah lah gey) Like many Native American peoples, the Cherokee formally refer to themselves as "yun-wi-yah" or "the real (or principal) people." Meet and Greet: Introductions: My name is: (Eastern: "name"…dah gwah-do-ah) (Western: "name" dah-wah-DOH) What is your name?: (Eastern: doh-day-zah-doh-ah?) Who are you?: (Eastern: kah-go eets? sdee) (Western: gah-doe-hah-dul-nee?) Greetings: Hello: (Eastern: shee-yoh) (Western: o-see-Yoh) How are you?: (Eastern: huhn-yohl-dah-zuhn) (Western: toe-he-juh-nee-he) I am fine: (Eastern: huhn-yoh-lah-dah) Good morning: (Eastern: oh-sdah shoo-nah-lay-ee) Good evening: (Eastern: oh-sdah oo-shuhn-hay-yee-zah) Good night: (Eastern: oh-sdah oo-shuhn-hee) Welcome: (Western: oo-lay-hah-lee-s-dee) Farewells: Until we meet again: (Eastern: dah-nah-gah-goh-huhn-yuhn) " " " (…more than one person): (Eastern: day-dah-gah-goh-huhn-yuhn) Go with God: (Western: ah-nah-gee-sss-dee/ nahs-squah/ Oo-ney-tlah-nuh-he) Useful Words and Phrases: Thank you: (Eastern: shkee) (Western: wah-doe) No, thank you: (Eastern: hah-noh) Yes: (Eastern: uhn) (Western: uh) No: (Eastern: noh) Do you speak Cherokee?: (Eastern: zah-lah-gee-sko hee-woh-nee?) I speak some Cherokee: (Eastern: zah-lah-gee gah-yoh-tli hee-woh-nee) Where can I find…?: (Eastern: gah-zuhn yah-zee-wah-tah…?) I am hungry: (Eastern: ah-gee-YOH-shee-hah) (Western: ah-gee-yo-see) I am thirsty: (Eastern: ah-mah ahk-tah-day-GEE-ah) I am going to rest: (Eastern: dee-gah-zah-way-sho-luhn-sdah-nee) Come in (more than one person): (Eastern: dee-zee-yah-hah-gah) Get out!: (Eastern: wee-nuhn-goh-ee) I am here: (Eastern: hah-nee gay-doh-ha) What is it?: (Eastern: doh-yoosd hee-ah?) What do you see?: (Eastern: doh-yoo-sdee hee-goh-wah-tee-ha?) What is the man doing?: (Eastern: doh ah-duhn-nay-zuhn-hee ah-sgah-yah?) Let's go fishing: (Western: eh-nah-soo-new-gah) Let's go home: (Western: gee-nah-nee-gee) Look: (Western: hah-gah-tah) Me: (Western: ay-yah) |
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