Close to 200 Cherokee syllabary keyboards have been donated to Cherokee speakers and people learning the Cherokee language.

The keyboards are intended to make it easier to type in Cherokee and use the language in digital communication.

The devices have been distributed through the Durbin Feeling Language Center's Translation Department, the Cherokee Immersion School and to curriculum developers and staff across the Cherokee Language Department.

The Cherokee Nation said the keyboards include updated device compatibility, Cherokee design elements and features intended to support syllabary use with minimal English characters.

"The Cherokee Syllabary keyboards feature advanced technology, including improved compatibility with Mac devices, traditional Cherokee designs by Cherokee artist Jeff Edwards, specially designed fonts for easier syllabary recognition and the inclusion of Cherokee numerals," they said.

"Limited use of English letters and numerals creates a more immersive Cherokee language experience."

The keyboards were created and donated by software engineer W. Alex Ronke, who has worked on keyboards for Indigenous languages.

Cherokee type designer Chris Skillern previously said digital tools only matter if they support the language itself.

"I know the syllabary itself is not actually the most important thing... the language is the most important thing," he said.

"And if the language can't survive, then the script serves no purpose."

Mr Skillern said written tools can still play a role when they make the language easier to use day to day.

"I also believe there's a symbiotic relationship there.... all this visual variety that I keep talking about that exists for other languages, that's a sign of a healthy and thriving language," he said.

Mr Skillern treats font work as part of language support and long-term access.

"I want to be able to design the best and most accurate syllabary fonts I can so I can give back to my people and help with language revitalisation efforts," he said.

He added some current options can be hard to use, which can affect how often people type in Cherokee.

"I have the Syllabary on iOS, the keyboard and all the hidden characters are a nightmare to remember where they are and how to find them," Mr Skillern said.

He said phonetic tools can help, but they can still have limits.

"There's a phonetic keyboard for Cherokee... where if you just type out the syllables, it converts it automatically to the Cherokee character," he said.

"But the problem is that doesn't work with lowercase, there's Cherokee lowercase too.

"And there's also a couple of characters that don't actually come across correctly when you type it."

The donation is expected to support more regular use of the syllabary in daily typing across Cherokee language programs and community networks.