Journeying Into Cherokee: Help and Encouragement for Learning the Cherokee Language

The Cherokee language is in trouble. According to UNESCO, Cherokee is definitely endangered in Oklahoma and severely endangered in North Carolina. There are fewer than 2000 native speakers left, and they will be gone within a generation or two. Many people want to help by learning Cherokee, but they may not know where to begin. was written to encourage people to study the language, while providing them with the tools to be successful. Topics covered include the following: why learning Cherokee is important; how to overcome negative attitudes; how to begin; how to use the language in your everyday life from day one; strategies to ensure retention; pitfalls to avoid; understanding the difference between English and Cherokee; the challenge of translation; how to utilize resources; thinking in Cherokee, and more. Alternating chapters from native-speaker Ed Fields and second-language learner Mary Rae give readers a valuable dual perspective on these topics. The last chapter is unique: a transcription of a short translation on which the authors collaborated. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions section and an extensive list of resources to help students on their journey into the language. Ed Fields' and Mary Rae's chapters are, at times, deeply personal, with moments of humor as well as somber reflections, and are sure to engage the reader. shows that everyone who is motivated can learn Cherokee and enjoy the process.