Ellen Cushman

Panel II
Ellen Cushman, Northeastern University
Supporting Manuscript Translation in Library and Archival Collections: Toward Decolonial Translation Methods

An important next step in decolonizing the archive is to delink from the imperial legacy of translation and develop decolonial translation methods and practices. This paper considers initial steps toward a process of decolonial translation useful in creating interpretations of Cherokee language manuscripts and in developing digital spaces for translations. Decolonial translation methods begin with an understanding of the instrumental, historical, and cultural importance of the Cherokee syllabary as an indigenous form of archiving knowledge in and on Cherokee terms.