Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation recently developed a computer software program to translate Cherokee phonetic words into Cherokee syllabary."This will make it easier for Cherokee speakers to produce syllabary," said Tonia Williams, Cherokee Nation webmaster. "People can type in the way a word sounds in Cherokee and see it in syllabary."
The software titled, Kaliquadegi, is available for public use and can be accessed from the Cherokee Nation's web site. The name, Kaliquadegi, means something that turns things over according to Ben Phillips, software developer.
"I hope it allows more people to use the language," Phillips said. "Now they can use the syllabary to write. It's easy to use."
The Cherokee Nation, under the direction of Principal Chief Chad Smith, has committed to developing new and creative ways to rejuvenate the Cherokee language. The Cherokee Nation currently hosts on-line Cherokee language classes for all ages, Cherokee language immersion classes for pre-schoolers, and offers incentives for Cherokee Nation employees to learn and speak the Cherokee language.
"Our language is one of the things that make Cherokee people special," Smith said. "We owe it to our children to teach them Cherokee, to pass on that part of our legacy. It is the foundation of our culture."
For more information on the Cherokee language conversion software visit the Cherokee Nation's web site, or send an e-mail to Ben Phillips.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |