Two Cherokee groups in North Carolina, the Cherokee Nation (CN) and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), worked together to translate modern words during a recent Language Revitalization Symposium.

Among other terms, the Cherokee representatives there came up with translations for “helicopter” and “purse,” from similar words in Cherokee. “Tsi-yu a-di-quo-lv-de-yo” is “plane that spins,” and “a-de-la di-ga-l(o)-do-di” is “where money is put.” If the translators could not decide on a common word between the two Cherokee groups’ dialects, they placed an “E” next to the Eastern Band’s preference and a “W” (for Western) next to the CN’s preference.

Jackson said the consortiums don’t always create Cherokee words for English words because an old Cherokee word that isn’t being used is sometimes rediscovered by the group.

“It may just be words we have not heard or forgotten. When you bring this many strong speakers together oftentimes there’s already a word. We might have known it and never pronounced or said it,” he said.

During the meeting, about 25 men and women told stories of how their parents or grandparents described objects, plants, places, events and people. They also shared how they pronounce words.

Keeping the language up-to-date is of importance to the Cherokee immersion school, where children learn all subjects in their native language. “Every time we are thinking of a word we always say ‘are the kids going to understand?” said one of the consortium members.

Read more about the Symposium and the Cherokee language here.