Numbers in Cherokee
ᏣᎳᎩ
Numbers in Cherokee follow a primarily decimal system with influences of vigesimal features. Spoken by about 20,000 people mainly in Oklahoma and parts of North Carolina, Cherokee is part of the Iroquoian language family. Its counting system is unique, combining specific words for 1-10 with a pattern for constructing larger numbers. The language's rich history and cultural significance are reflected in its numerals, which are used in daily life, trade, and traditional ceremonies. Understanding the numbers in Cherokee offers insight into their worldview and linguistic structure, making it a fascinating subject for language enthusiasts and linguists alike.
Number system
Cherokee counting is primarily decimal, with specific patterns for tens and hundreds. Numbers 1-10 are unique words, such as ᏐᏬ (sowo) for 1 and ᏍᎪᎯ (sgohi) for 10. Numbers 11-19 are formed by adding the suffix -Ꮪ (-du) to the units, like ᏌᏚ (sadu) for 11 and ᏓᎳᏚ (daladu) for 16. Tens are formed by adding -ᎪᎯ (-gohi) to the digit, e.g., ᏔᎵᏍᎪᎯ (talisgohi) for 20, ᏦᎢᏍᎪᎯ (tsoisgohi) for 30. Compound numbers like 23 are constructed by saying the ten with its last syllable removed, then the unit: ᏦᎢᏍᎪ ᏌᏬ (tsoisgo sawo). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier root before ᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (sgohitsiqua) for 100, e.g., ᏔᎵᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (talisgohitsiqua) for 200. Thousands are built by placing the multiplier before ᎢᏯᎦᏴᎵ (iyagayvli), e.g., ᏔᎵ ᎢᏯᎦᏴᎵ (tali iyagayvli) for 2,000.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Counting from zero to ten
Numbers 0-10 are unique words: Ꮭ ᎪᏍᏗ (tla gosdi) [0], ᏐᏬ (sowo) [1], ᏔᎵ (tali) [2], ᏦᎢ (tsoi) [3], ᏅᎩ (nvgi) [4], ᎯᏍᎩ (hisgi) [5], ᏑᏓᎵ (sudali) [6], ᎦᎵᏉᎩ (galiquogi) [7], ᏧᏁᎳ (tsunela) [8], ᏐᏁᎳ (sonela) [9], and ᏍᎪᎯ (sgohi) [10].
Forming numbers 11-19
Numbers 11-19 are created by adding the suffix -Ꮪ (-du) to the unit, with slight phonetic changes: ᏌᏚ (sadu) [11], ᏔᎵᏚ (talidu) [12], ᏦᎦᏚ (tsogadu) [13], ᏂᎦᏚ (nigadu) [14], ᎯᏍᎦᏚ (hisgadu) [15], ᏓᎳᏚ (daladu) [16], ᎦᎵᏆᏚ (galiquadu) [17], ᏁᎳᏚ (neladu) [18], and ᏐᏁᎳᏚ (soneladu) [19].
Forming tens
Tens are formed by adding -ᎪᎯ (-gohi) to the digit: ᏍᎪᎯ (sgohi) [10], ᏔᎵᏍᎪᎯ (talisgohi) [20], ᏦᎢᏍᎪᎯ (tsoisgohi) [30], ᏅᎩᏍᎪᎯ (nvgisgohi) [40], ᎯᏍᎩᏍᎪᎯ (hisgisgohi) [50], ᏑᏓᎵᏍᎪᎯ (sudalisgohi) [60], ᎦᎵᏆᏍᎪᎯ (galiquasgohi) [70], ᏧᏁᎳᏍᎪᎯ (tsunelasgohi) [80], and ᏐᏁᎳᏍᎪᎯ (sonelasgohi) [90].
Constructing numbers 21-99
Numbers between 21 and 99 are formed by saying the ten with its last syllable removed, then the unit: for example, ᏦᎢᏍᎪ ᏌᏬ (tsoisgo sawo) [31], and ᎦᎵᏆᏍᎪ ᏑᏓᎵ (galiquasgo sudali) [76]. When combining with a ten, the digit one changes from ᏐᏬ (sowo) to ᏌᏬ (sawo), as in ᏦᎢᏍᎪ ᏌᏬ (tsoisgo sawo) for 31.
Forming hundreds
Hundreds are built by placing the multiplier root before ᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (sgohitsiqua) for 100: ᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (sgohitsiqua) [100], 200 is ᏔᎵᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (talisgohitsiqua), 300 is ᏦᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (tsosgohitsiqua), and so on. For example, 400 is ᏅᎩᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (nvgisgohitsiqua).
Constructing thousands
Thousands are formed by placing the multiplier before ᎢᏯᎦᏴᎵ (iyagayvli): 1,000 is ᏐᏬ ᎢᏯᎦᏴᎵ (sowo iyagayvli), 2,000 is ᏔᎵ ᎢᏯᎦᏴᎵ (tali iyagayvli), and 3,000 is ᏦᎢ ᎢᏯᎦᏴᎵ (tsoi iyagayvli).
Unique features
Cherokee uses specific words for 1-10, such as ᏐᏬ (sowo) for 1 and ᏍᎪᎯ (sgohi) for 10, which are quite distinct from Indo-European systems.
The formation of numbers 11-19 by adding -Ꮪ (-du) to units is similar to some other indigenous languages but with phonetic variations unique to Cherokee.
Compound numbers like 23 (ᏦᎢᏍᎪ ᏌᏬ) are constructed by removing the last syllable of the ten and then adding the unit, a pattern not common in many languages.
Large numbers such as 1,000 (ᎢᏯᎦᏴᎵ) and thousands are built by placing the multiplier before the base word, showing a clear multiplicative pattern.
Cherokee incorporates cultural elements into its numerals, with the word for 100 being ᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (sgohitsiqua), which is a unique linguistic formation reflecting their numeral system.
Cultural context
Cherokee people primarily reside in Oklahoma and North Carolina, maintaining a vibrant cultural heritage rooted in their language, traditions, and history. Numbers in Cherokee are integral to their daily life, from traditional ceremonies to trade and storytelling. Certain numbers may hold cultural significance; for example, the number ᏐᏬ (sowo) for 1 is often used symbolically in rituals. The language's numeral system reflects their worldview, emphasizing multiplicative relationships and cultural identity. Despite modern influences, Cherokee numerals remain a vital part of preserving their heritage, with efforts to teach and revitalize their language among younger generations.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The word for 16, ᏓᎳᏚ (daladu), is formed by adding the suffix -Ꮪ (-du) to ᎯᏍᎩ (hisgi) for 5, showing a pattern of combining base numbers.
Fact 2: Unlike English, which is purely decimal, Cherokee incorporates vigesimal features, especially in forming 20 (ᏔᎵᏍᎪᎯ).
Fact 3: The pattern of removing the last syllable of the ten to form numbers like 23 (ᏦᎢᏍᎪ ᏌᏬ) indicates a linguistic strategy for compactly expressing compound numbers.
Fact 4: The word for 100, ᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (sgohitsiqua), is unique and not derived from a simple combination of smaller units, reflecting a cultural emphasis on the hundred as a milestone.
Fact 5: Cherokee can count accurately up to 999,999, but beyond that, the system is not fully documented, highlighting ongoing efforts to understand and preserve their numeral system.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Cherokee?
1 is ᏐᏬ (sowo), 2 is ᏔᎵ (tali), 3 is ᏦᎢ (tsoi), 4 is ᏅᎩ (nvgi), 5 is ᎯᏍᎩ (hisgi), 6 is ᏑᏓᎵ (sudali), 7 is ᎦᎵᏉᎩ (galiquogi), 8 is ᏧᏁᎳ (tsunela), 9 is ᏐᏁᎳ (sonela), and 10 is ᏍᎪᎯ (sgohi).
What number base does Cherokee use?
Cherokee primarily uses a decimal system, as seen in the words for 10 (ᏍᎪᎯ), 100 (ᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ), and 1,000 (ᎢᏯᎦᏴᎵ). It also incorporates vigesimal features, evident in the formation of 20 (ᏔᎵᏍᎪᎯ) and related multiples, indicating a mixed base system.
How do you say 42 in Cherokee?
42 is formed by saying 40 (ᏅᎩᏍᎪᎯ, nvgisgohi) and then adding 2 (ᏔᎵ, tali). The pattern involves removing the last syllable of the ten (ᏅᎩᏍᎪ) and then adding the unit (ᏔᎵ), resulting in ᏅᎩᏍᎪ ᏔᎵ (nvgisgo tali).
How do you say 100 in Cherokee?
The word for 100 is ᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ (sgohitsiqua). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier root before this word, such as 200 (ᏔᎵᏍᎪᎯᏥᏆ, talisgohitsiqua).
How many people speak Cherokee?
Approximately 20,000 people speak Cherokee, mainly in Oklahoma and North Carolina.
Is Cherokee related to other languages?
Yes, Cherokee is part of the Iroquoian language family, related to other indigenous languages of North America within the Iroquoian branch.
What makes Cherokee counting unique?
Cherokee's use of specific words for 1-10, the suffix-based formation for 11-19, and the combination of decimal and vigesimal features make its counting system distinctive. For example, 23 (ᏦᎢᏍᎪ ᏌᏬ) demonstrates a unique pattern of constructing compound numbers.
Sources
- Cherokee font
- Cherokee transliteration