The Cherokees have the oldest and best-known Native American writing system in the United States. Invented by Sequoyah and made public in 1821, it was rapidly adopted. this writing system, the Cherokee syllabary, is fully explained and used throughout this volume, the first and only complete published grammar of the Cherokee language.

Although the Cherokee Reference Grammar focuses on the dialect spoken by the Cherokees in Oklahoma, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Nation, it provides the grammatical foundation upon which all the dialects are based. In his introduction, author Brad Montgomery-Anderson, offers a brief account of the Cherokee history and language revitalization initiatives, as well as instructions for using this grammar. The book then delves into an explanation of Cherokee pronunciation, orthography, parts of speech, and syntax.

While the book is intended as a referenced grammar for experienced scholars, Montgomery-Anderson presents the information in accessible stages, moving from easier examples to more complex linguistic structures. Audio clips of various text examples throughout can be found on the accompanying CD's. The volume also includes three appendices; a glossary keyed to the text, a typescript for the audio component; and a collection of literary texts; two traditional stories and a historical account of a search party traveling up the Arkansas River.

Cherokee Reference Grammar will serve as a vital resource in advancing efforts to understand Cherokee history, language, and culture.

Cherokee Reference Grammar Paperback