.MTA1Ng.NzEwODQ

influence of Christianity.

Language.

The Cherokee language is generally disagreeable to the ears of strangers, on account of the many nasal sounds. By those who have spent considerable time in several tribes, the Cherokee language is said to be more difficult to acquire than any other they become acquainted with. I never studied it grammatically, and will therefore say but little about it. There are but few words, in the proper pronunciation of which, a closing of the lips is required: a reference to the alphabet will demonstrate this. A few years ago, a full blooded Cherokee, by the name of George Guess, invented an alphabet on the syllabic plan, containing eighty six characters, which I subjoin.

Phonetic chart of sounds represented by vowels

Consonant sounds

g nearly as in English, but approaching to k. -- d nearly as in English, but approaching to t. -- h, k, l, m, n, q, s, t, w, y, as in English. -- Syllables beginning with g, except [[ ]], have sometimes the power of k, -- [[ ]] are sometimes sounded to, tu, ts?; and syllables written with [[ ]], except [[ ]], sometimes vary to dl. This