CherokeeSyllabary

The Cherokee syllabary is a writing system devised for the Cherokee language by Sequoyah, a Cherokee silversmith, in the early 1820s. It was created to promote literacy and preserve Cherokee language and culture by providing a practical written form.

The syllabary consists of 85 characters. Each symbol represents a syllable, most commonly a consonant–vowel combination (CV). Some syllables begin with a vowel. The shapes are unique and were developed by Sequoyah from various sources; the system is a true syllabary rather than a simple alphabet.

Sequoyah introduced the script to Cherokee communities in 1821–1822, and it rapidly spread. The Cherokee Phoenix, a bilingual newspaper first published in 1828, helped popularize literacy in Cherokee. By mid‑19th century, the syllabary replaced more cumbersome writing methods for many Cherokee.

Today the syllabary remains in use among the Cherokee Nation (Oklahoma) and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (North Carolina). It is supported in Unicode (Cherokee block U+13A0–U+13FF) and across modern keyboards and fonts, used in education, signage, literature, and digital communication.

The Cherokee syllabary is a foundational element of the language, contributing to its continued use and revival. It is commonly referred to as Sequoyah’s syllabary and is a symbol of Cherokee linguistic heritage.