Cherokee Phoenix and Indians' Advocate
Wednesday, November 25, 1829
Vol. II, No. 33
Pg. 3, col. 1b

        October 23d. 1829

 Mr. Editor,- The rapid advances which are making in the arts of civilized Life, the science of government,and the knowledge of the true religion; and the aspect of general and growing prosperity, which in ever part of the Cherokee Nation, presents itself to view; seem to indicate that some attempt to develop the structure of the Language would not be unreasonable.  Should you deem the accompanying specimen sufficiently correct for insertion in your paper, it will probably be followed by a few more.  with regard to the technical terms, I beg leave to say that if yourself or any of your correspondents will suggest others, more appropriate,I shall feel pleasure in adopting them.

 I am dear sir, your obedient servant,
    (Cherokee symbols)  Ga-wo-hee-lo-skee.

Active Voice
of the Cherokee Verb (Cherokee symbols) I speak.
Indicative Mood.
Primary* present tense.
singular
 Person
 1. (Cherokee symbols) I speak,
 2.  "       "        thou speakest,
 3.  "       "        he speaks
Dual
 1 & 2. "     "  thou and I speak,
 1 & 3  "     "  he and I speak,
     2. "     "  you (two) speak,
     3. as the plural.
Plural.
 1 & 2. (Cherokee Symbols) you (all) & I speak
 1 & 3.    "        " they and I speak,
     2.    "        " you (all) speak.
     3.    "       "      they speak.
Immediate Perfect tense
Singular
 1  (Cherokee symbols) I have just spoken
 2.      "         "  thou hast &c.
 3.     "         "  he has &c.
Dual
 1 & 2. "         "  thou and I have just spoken
 1 & 3. "         "       he and I have &c.
     2.  "        "  (two) have &c.
     3.  as the plural
Plural
 1 & 2. (Cherokee symbols) you (all) and I have just spoken
 1 & 3    "       "   they and I &c.
     2.  (Cherokee symbols) you (all)&c.
     3.   "          "  they &c.
Primary perfect tense.
Singular
 1. (Cherokee symbols) I have spoken
 2.    "       "  thou hast &c.
 3.   "        "  he has &c.
Dual
 1 & 2. "      " thou and I have spoken
 1 & 3  "      " he and I have &c.
     2. "      " you (two) have &c.
     3. as the plural.
Plural
 1 & 2. (Cherokee symbols) you (all) and I have spoken
 1 & 3.    "       "   they and I have, &c.
     2.    "       "   you (all) have &c.
     3.   "        "   they have &c.
Primary* First Future tense.
singular
 1. (Cherokee symbols) I will speak
 2.    "       "  thou &c.
 3.    "       "  he &c.
Plural
 1 & 2. "       "  thou & I will speak
 1 & 3   "      "  he and I will &c.
     2.   "      "  you (two) will &c.
     3. see the plural.
Dual
 1 & 2. (Cherokee symbols) thou & I will speak
 1 & 3.    "        "  he and I will &c.
     2. "         "  you (two) will &c.
    3.  see the plural
Plural
 1 & 2. (Cherokee symbols) you (all) and I will speak
 1 & 3.    "       "   they and I will &c.
     2.    "       "   you (all) will &c.
     3.   "      "   they will &c.
Primary* Second future tense
Singular
 1.  (Cherokee symbols)  I will speak by that time
 2.      "       "   thou wilt &c.
 3.     "         "   he will &c.
Dual
 1 & 2.  "       "  thou & I will speak by that time
 1 & 3   "       "  he and I will &c.
     2.  "       "  you (two) will
     3. see plural
Plural
 1 & 2. (Cherokee symbols) you (all) & I will speak by that time
 1 & 3     "      "  they & I will &c.
         2.   "       "  you (all) will &c.
         3.   "       "  they will &c.
Primary * approximate tense
singular
 1. (Cherokee symbols)  I am about to speak,
 2. "          "  thou art &c.
 3.  "          "  he is &c.
Dual
 1 & 2. "       "  thou & I are about to speak instantly
 1 & 3 "         "  he and I are &c.
    2. "         "  you (two) are &c.
    3. see plural
Plural
 1 & 2. (Cherokee symbols) you (all) and I are about to speak instantly
 1 & 3    "       "  they and I &c.
     2.  "        "  you (all) &c.
         3.  "        "  they are &c.
_________________
  * The primary tenses are so termed, to demote their being leading forms,from which other distinctions of time are derived.

This transcription from the Cherokee Phoenix is presented as part of the historical record, and includes historical materials that may contain negative stereotypes or language reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place including terminology that may not be deemed appropriate today. While an effort has been made to verify the transcription against the original text, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Researchers are urged to match the transcription against the original article to authenticate exact quotes. Issues of the Cherokee Phoenix are available on microfilm. Please check your local library for availability or to inquire about interlibrary loan of a microfilm copy.

Send comments or questions to: George Frizzell
Special Collections . Hunter Library . Western Carolina University . Cullowhee, NC 28723 . 828-227-7474