Cherokee language added to Microsoft Office Apps

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation has finished a project that adds the Cherokee language to Microsoft Office Web apps.

People can use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote using the Cherokee language. The public can create a free account at www.skydrive.com to access the programs on any computer or mobile device.

A dozen Cherokee speakers spent last year translating 150,000 modern English terms into Cherokee since many of the terms did not exist in the Cherokee language before.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker says the tribe's relationship with Microsoft is another example of the work done to preserve the Cherokee language.

Cherokee is also available on Microsoft Windows 8, Google Gmail, and Apple iPhone and iPad. The translation team's next project is adding Cherokee to the Android.