Sequoyah, also known as George Gist, was a Cherokee silversmith who invented the Cherokee syllabary, a writing system for the Cherokee language. He was not a student of any specific person named "Wu."
While there is no record of a person named "Wu" wanting Sequoyah to learn English, it's likely that many people, including some Cherokee leaders, did encourage Sequoyah to learn English. This was due to a few reasons:
* English was the dominant language: The United States was expanding westward, and English was the language of government, commerce, and education. Learning English would have provided Sequoyah with greater opportunities to interact with outsiders and potentially advocate for Cherokee interests.
* English was seen as a tool for advancement: For many indigenous people, learning English was seen as a path towards assimilation and integration into American society. This could have opened doors to better jobs, education, and political influence.
* Sequoyah's own ambition: While Sequoyah's primary goal was to create a written language for his people, he was also a highly intelligent and resourceful individual. It's likely that he recognized the value of learning English for his own personal development and as a way to connect with a wider world.
It's important to remember that the decision to learn English was often a complex one for indigenous peoples. While some saw it as a path to advancement, others resisted it, fearing assimilation and the loss of their cultural identity.