If our people think I am making a fool of myself, you may tell them that what I am doing will not make fools of them. They did not cause me to begin, and they shall not cause me to stop. - Sequoyah

Sequoyah (1770-1843) was a Cherokee silversmith and blacksmith who is best known for creating the Cherokee syllabary - a writing system for the Cherokee language. Dr. Duane King, director of the Helmerich Center for American Research at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma says Sequoyah is the only person in recorded history who created a writing system without first knowing a written language himself,

Prior to Sequoyah's invention, the Cherokee language had no written form, and was only passed down orally from generation to generation. His creation of the syllabary was a major achievement in Cherokee culture and history, as it allowed for the widespread dissemination of Cherokee literature and helped to preserve the language in the face of increasing pressure from English-speaking settlers.

What makes him a Polymath:

Sequoyah's creation of the Cherokee syllabary demonstrates his ability to combine skills in various fields, including linguistics, writing, and education. He not only invented a writing system, but he also taught his people how to use it, leading to a significant increase in literacy rates among the Cherokee.

Skills:

Sequoyah possessed a unique combination of skills that enabled him to create the Cherokee syllabary. These skills included:

• Knowledge of the Cherokee language: Sequoyah was a native speaker of the Cherokee language and had an intimate understanding of its grammar and structure.

• Artistic ability: As a silversmith and blacksmith, Sequoyah had a talent for working with his hands and creating intricate designs.

• Analytical thinking: Creating a writing system is a complex task that requires careful analysis and problem-solving skills.

Combining Skills:

Sequoyah combined his knowledge of the Cherokee language, his artistic ability, and his analytical thinking skills to create the Cherokee syllabary.

He began by developing a system of symbols that represented each syllable in the Cherokee language. Then tested his system by teaching it to his daughter and other Cherokee children, who were able to learn to read and write in Cherokee using the syllabary.

Sequoyah's invention was quickly adopted by the Cherokee people and helped to strengthen their sense of cultural identity and independence.

Actionable tips:

Sequoyah's example demonstrates the power of combining different skills to achieve a significant goal. To combine skills effectively, you can:

Identify your strengths:

Take an inventory of your skills and talents to identify areas where you excel.

Find areas of overlap:

Look for areas where your skills can be combined to create something new and unique.

Experiment:

Don't be afraid to try new things and test out different combinations of skills.

Collaborate:

Consider working with others who have complementary skills to achieve your goals.