preview

Why Did The Cherokee Adopt The English Language

Decent Essays

In America, the Cherokee had lived in Southern Appalachia for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. Upon European settlement and eventual American Westward Expansion, the Cherokee began to lose their land and way of life. The 1835 census of the Cherokee People reveals that the Cherokee society prior to removal had a distinct culture but was forced into assimilation in hopes to remain on their land. Through American assimilation, the Cherokee sought to prove themselves as worthy republican citizens. To do so, the Cherokee adopted the English language, new ways of naming themselves, and a new patriarchal job system. Foremost, the Cherokee people adopted the English language as an attempt to show they could be republican citizens. Despite having a language unique to their society, the Cherokee were left with little choice but to learn and use the English language. Adopting English was necessary because it showed their attempts to join the American culture instead of remaining isolated. Moreover, it allowed for communication with the American government in negotiation attempts on land boundaries. Evidence of adaptation is seen through the number of people who spoke English and the names they …show more content…

Cherokee society was deserting its traditional culture and adopting a new one. Anglo-Saxon names such as William Reese, Peggy Waters, and James Vahn were adopted by native men and women. Traditional Cherokee names such as Whirlwind, The Hunter, and Moses were becoming less frequent . English sounding names suggest that the Cherokee were trying to mold themselves into what an American citizen might be. Furthermore, most English names are associated with Christianity, which shows the Cherokees conformity to virtue. If their names sounded American and not native, then perhaps the America government would respect them as citizens which would allow them to stay on their

Get Access