<< Back 9/11/02 Author writes about rebirth of Cherokee syllabary SMN Author writes about rebirth of Cherokee syllabarySince its inception in the 1820s, Sequoyah’s syllabary has been the most-used system for writing and reading the Cherokee language. However, in the 20th century, fewer and fewer Cherokees became literate in the Cherokee language. But recent interest in cultural revitalization among the Eastern Band of the Cherokee has led to a new emphasis on the syllabary. Linguist Margaret Bender discusses this transformation in her new book, Signs of Cherokee Culture: Sequoyah’s Syllabary in Eastern Cherokee Life (UNC Press, $19.95 paperback). She will be at City Lights Bookstore in downtown Sylva at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13, to give a public program on the syllabary and discuss her research. Jean Bushyhead, project manager of the Cherokee Language Project, praises Bender’s “interest in and willingness to become involved in our Cherokee culture. The results of her studies are informative and enlightening to the Cherokee Language Project.’ Bender’s program is free and open to the public.