Cherokee Language Integrated into Gmail

From http://muskogeephoenix.com/local/x1951901834/Cherokee-language-integrated-into-Gmail

Cherokee language integrated into Gmail
November 21, 2012

Cherokee has become the first Native American language fully integrated into Gmail, according to a media release. That means users can now exchange emails and instant message chats entirely in the Cherokee Syllabary, just as they would in English, Spanish or other languages.

“When Google decides to support a language, it’s not just about which ones have the largest number of speakers. In order to do business around the world, we need to support languages with millions of speakers, such as Japanese, French or Arabic,” said Craig Cornelius, a Google software engineer. “But we also want to include less spoken languages in order to help preserve the culture and diversity that come with them.”

Cornelius said several Native American tribes have expressed interest in translating their languages with Google, but the Cherokee Nation has been the most intentional in getting the translations done.

Read the full article at http://muskogeephoenix.com/local/x1951901834/Cherokee-language-integrated-into-Gmail

Read related articles at http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/19/gmail-now-supports-cherokee-its-first-native-american-tribal-language and http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/gmail-get-started-with-gmail-in-cherokee.html

A wonderful graphic feature about the history of Cherokee writing and its path to a digital medium is here: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/09/20/exclusive-artist-roy-boneys-special-graphic-feature-on-the-cherokee-language-54344