Itse Dugalu

There are a number of crucial elements to understanding how to speak correct Cherokee.  To a Cherokee the language is not barbaric; there is a correct way and an incorrect way to communicate.  This confusion exists in many languages.  Perhaps you've heard translations such as:  Confucious say "Sleep Long Live Short," from the Chinese language.  Notice the incorrect use of the word "Say."  This form of translating misleads the recipient into believing that Confucious "talk like caveman," but he didn't.

For example:

In Japanese one might say

(Watashi wa) mizu ga hoshii desu.  ((I) Water wanting am)

In Italian it would be said

(Io) voglio acqua.  ((I) I want water)

In Cherokee you would say

Ama aquaduli(ha).  (Water I want)

These are all correct, normal ways of speaking.  The rules surrounding what word goes where and why are called Grammar.  If you notice the word Aquaduliha, it is lacking the word Aya, the word for I in Cherokee.  In this case the word is translated as Aqua.  There is a rule that's easy to learn with patience and practice.  Grammar lessons are posted regularly for people who are interested.

March (Anvyi)

1.  Osiyo  --  hello

2.  Dohitsu  --  how are you (are you well)

3.  Dohiquu  --  I'm fine

4.  Wado  --  thank you

5.  Unelanvhi  --  God (now used for the Christian god amonst many but in olden times this was the name of the Sun God)

6.  Tsisa  --  Jesus

7.  Aya  --  I, me

8.  Nihi  --  You

9.  Unelanvhi Uwetsi  --  God's son

10.  Ogidoda  --  Our father

11.  Tsalagi  --  Cherokee

12.  Ugvwiyuhi  --  Chief, President, King

13.  Ahwi  --  deer

14.  Galagina  --  buck

15.  Waka  --  cow

16.  Hawiya  --  meat

17.  Ahwi hawiya  --  Venison

18.  Waka hawiya  --  steak, hamburger...

19.  Siqua hawiya  --  pork

20.  Nvda  --  the sun or the moon