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The Cherokee syllabary : writing the people's perseverance / Ellen Cushman.
LIBRA PM781 .C87 2011
Available from offsite location
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Cushman, Ellen, 1967-
- Series:
- American Indian literature and critical studies series ; v. 56.
- American Indian Literature and Critical Studies series ; v. 56
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Cherokee language--Writing.
- Cherokee language.
- Cherokee language--Alphabet.
- Cherokee language--Grammar.
- Physical Description:
- xvii, 238 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm.
- Place of Publication:
- Norman : University of Oklahoma Press, [2011]
- Summary:
- In 1821, a Cherokee metal worker named Sequoyah developed an 85-character writing system for the Cherokee language. This book charts the creation and distribution of the Cherokee syllabary. Going against typical interpretations, Cushman (writing, rhetoric, and American cultures, Michigan State University) argues that the syllabary was based on Cherokee syllables, not on Western alphabets. She explains the structure of the syllabary and the elements which made it easy for native speakers to use, and discusses the impact of the syllabary on Cherokee culture and its role in Cherokee adaptation to change. She also looks at modern issues such as computer keyboards using the syllabary and online language classes for learning the syllabary and the Cherokee spoken language. Written to be accessible to general readers as well as scholars, the book includes b&w photos, screenshots, and tables for understanding the syllabary. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
- Contents:
- Introduction: Peoplehood, tools, and perseverance
- Sequoyah and the politics of language
- The syllabary as writing system
- The syllabary's design
- The syllabary from script to print
- Elias Boudinot and the Cherokee Phoenix
- The breadth of the Cherokee writing system, 1840-1920
- Perseverance and calculated inconspicuousness, 1920-1980
- Peoplehood and perseverance : the Cherokee language, 1980-2010.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- ISBN:
- 9780806142203
- 0806142200
- OCLC:
- 721085649
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