Chamorro Language & Culture

Daibitis - Diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:05:00 +0000

(This is from a women's health brochure on diabetes from the FDA)

Mas ki nuebe miyon na famalao’an giya Estados Unidos man daibitis.
More than 9 million women in the United States have diabetes.

Ya tres miyon ti tumungo!
And 3 million don't even know it!

Kao un tungo na...? Did you know...?
•Daibitis ha umenta mas chansa para un inataka I korason, pat sino strok.
Diabetes increases your risk for heart attack or stroke.
•Guaha famalao’an man ninayi ni daibitis yangin man mapotgi.
Some women get diabetes when they are pregnant.
•Famalao’an ni man daibitis mas siña man mafak i mapotgiñiha, pat man gai neni ni man gai difekta yangin mafañagu.
Women who have diabetes are more likely to have a miscarriage or a baby with birth defects.

Hafa i daibitis? What is diabetes?
•Daibitis un chetnot i ni a tulaika hafa taimanu i tataotao-mu ha usa i asukat. I nengkanno ni unkanno’ ha tulaika para asukat. I asukat hu mahanao para todo i bandan tataotao-mu. Tenga i insulin ha ayuda i asukat-mu gi haga para i cells gi tataotao anai ha pega para un nina brabu.
Diabetes is a disease that changes the way your body uses sugar. The food you eat turns to sugar. The sugar then travels through the blood to all parts of the body. Normally, insulin helps get sugar from the blood to the body's cells, where it is used for energy.
•Yangin daibitis hao, mapot i tataotao-mu mamatinas pat/ sino ha ripresta para i insulin. I tataotao-mu taya brinabuña. Yan i asukat-mu gi haga mas takkilo.
When you have diabetes, your body has trouble making and/or using insulin. So your body does not get the fuel it needs. And your blood sugar stays too high.

Hafa na klasen daibitis siha? What are the types of diabetes?
• Klase unu – I tataotao–mu ti mamatinas insulin. I taotao ni klasen uno ha nisisita insulin kada dia para u la’la’.
Type 1 --The body does not make any insulin. People with type1 must take insulin every day to stay alive.
• Klasen Dos -I tataotao ti ha u u’sa i insulin taimanu dipotsi. Mas taotao ni man daibitis man ninayi ni klasen dos.
Type 2 --The body does not make enough insulin, or use insulin well. Most people with diabetes have type 2.

Kao mas hao atotga ni daibitis?
Who is at most risk for diabetes?
•Kao un nisista para un ribaha i libras-mu?
Do you need to lose weight?
•Kao taya kinalamten mu?
Do you get little or no exercise?
•Kao takkilo i presun hagu-mu (130/80) pat mas takkilo)?
Do you have high blood pressure (130/80 or higher)?
•Kao man daibitis i familia-mu?
Do you have diabetes in your family?
•Kao palao’an hao ya ninayi daibitis anai mapotgi hao?
Are you a woman who had it when you were pregnant?
•Kao mañagu hao neni ni mas ki nuebe libras gi mafanaguña?
Have you had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth?
•Kao Afrikano Amerikanu, Natibu Amerikanu, Ispañot, Asiano Amerikanu, pat Islas Pasifiku na taotao hao?
Are you African American, Native American, Hispanic, Asian American, or Pacific Islander?

Hafa i siñat siha?
What are the warning signs?

•Mas sesso guato gi kemmon
Frequent trips to the restroom
•Sesso ñgalang pat ma’u
Feeling hungry or thirsty all the time
•Maya’ i inatan-mu
Blurred vision
•Chinachak pat malasas ya dispasio mahgong
Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal
•Todo i tiempo yayas hao
Feeling tired all the time
•I kanai yan addeng man laolao pat ma’etdot
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

Guaha taotao man daibitis, lao taya na maripara i siñat.
There are some people with diabetes, but do not notice any signs.

Hafa siña hu chogue yan daibitis yu?
What can I do if I have diabetes?
Usa i maolek na amot
Use medicines wisely
• Guaha na taotao ni man daibitis ma nisisita machule' i pitdoras pat i dilok insulin. Tattiyi i direksion.
Sometimes people with diabetes need to take pills or insulin shots. Be sure to follow the directions.
• Faisen i mediku-mu, infitmera, pat i taotao i sagan amot hafa i amot-mu para uchogue. Faisen lokkue ngai’an na para un chule', yan hafa na dañu hiniyongña.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist what your medicines do. Also ask when to take them and if they have any side effects.

Atan hafa unkanno, yan na kalamten i brinabu-mu.
Watch what you eat and get exercise
•Taya unu na dieta para i taotao ni daibitis. Faisin i taotao i salud brinabu-mu pot i planu para hagu.
There is no one diet for people with diabetes. Work with your health care team to come up with a plan for you.
•Kalamten masea trenta minutus gi ha’ane, kuantos dias gi semana. Na kalamten i tataotao-mu ya un usa i insulin mas maolek.
Be active at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week. Exercise helps your body's insulin work better. It also lowers your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Rikonosi i asukat i haga-mu yan tungo i iyo-mu ABC’s.
Check Your Blood Sugar and Know Your ABCs
• Adahi hao kontra i chetnot korason yan strok, na siguru na i asukat haga, presun haga, yan i kolesterol man ma adahi.
Help prevent heart disease and stroke by keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control.
• Rikonosi i asukat haga yan i testa ni siña un usa gi gima.
Check your blood sugar using a meter (home testing kit).
• Faisen i mediku-mu pot i A-1-C na haga para u ma tes. Rikononosi i asukat haga kada dos pat tres meses.
Ask your doctor for an A-1-C ("A-one-see") blood test. It measures blood sugar levels over 2 to 3 months.
• Kuentuse i taotao salud brinabu-mu pot iyo-mu ABC’S:
Talk to your health care team about your ABC's:

A-1-C
Blood pressure
Cholesterol

Para Un Tungo Mas:
To Find Out More:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Diabetes Information
http://www.fda.gov/diabetes

Support Island Art

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:12:00 +0000

Prints start at $19

Happy CNMI Liberation Day!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 22:09:00 +0000

The CNMI’s largest community event, the Liberation Day Festival is organized by a team of volunteers under a non-profit organization. This year’s celebration marks the 61st anniversary of the day that the Armed Forces liberated the Northern Mariana Islands. The festival will showcase nightly live-entertainment, queen contests, games, amusement rides and food booths as part of the celebrations activities. This year’s theme is "Challenge of Liberation for Peace & Freedom". The annual Liberation Day festival is scheduled to take place from June 1 to July 8 and will be held at the Garapan Fishing Base Complex. The parade would take place in the afternoon starting at 3:00 p.m. until parade ends on July 4, 2007. The Parade will start off at National Office Supply to the Reviewing Stand (in front of Kristo Rai Church). For more information, please contact the Saipan Mayor’s Office at (670) 234-6208.

HISTORY

The Battle of Saipan

Plans to launch an offensive against the Japanese in the islands of the Pacific were initiated in 1943 at the Quadrant Conference held in Quebec. President Franklin Roosevelt received the proposal that the Allied effort in the Pacific should be directed first toward the Gilbert Islands, then the Marshalls, followed by Wake, the Eastern Carolines, and finally the Marianas. It was at Saipan that American military planners were presented with the problem of how to cope with a dense civilian population, the first to be encountered in the Pacific war. American forces were to be under the overall command of Admiral Chester Nimitz.

The American drive across the Pacific would be two-pronged. While Nimitz fought his way across the central Pacific, General MacArthur would advance across the southwest Pacific to the Philippines. The islands of the central Pacific either succumbed one by one under the sheer weight of American forces or were bombed, neutralized and bypassed. With their supply lines cut, the defenders of by-passed islands were left to starve. After the fall of the Marshall islands, no other island in the central Pacific would be invaded by American ground forces until the American armada reached the waters off the Marianas and the island of Saipan.

American war strategy in the western Pacific was developed around the premise that Japan would never surrender and that the nation would fight to the last man, woman, and child, particularly if the home islands were invaded. It was anticipated that such an invasion, if it were to occur, would result in the loss of one million American lives. In planning for this eventuality, air bases in the Marianas were essential in order to accommodate the new B-29 Superfortress, a U.S. bomber that was just beginning to be mass-produced in early 1944 and which had a flying range equal to the distance from Saipan, Tinian and Guam to Japan and back. The B-29's normal range was 2,850 miles at 358 m.p.h. with a 20,000 ton carrying capacity at 32,000 feet. The capture of the island of Saipan thus became crucial in the preparations for this massive invasion.

The assault on Saipan began on June 15,1944, almost a week after the invasion of Europe. An armada of 535 ships carrying 127,570 U. S. military personnel (two-thirds of whom were Marines of the 2nd and 4th Divisions) converged on the island. The ships of the invasion force carried 40,000 different items to support the assault - everything from toilet paper to government-issue coffins. A single supply ship carried enough food to feed 90,000 troops for one month. Navy tankers transported the gigantic quantity of petroleum products required to support the invasion. Aircraft alone consumed over 8 million gallons of aviation fuel during the battle, while the aircraft carriers burned more than 4 million barrels of fuel.

Seven American battleships and 11 destroyers shelled Saipan and Tinian for 2 days before the landings, firing 15,000 16-inch and 5-inch shells at the islands along with 165,000 other shells of other caliber. To even begin to comprehend the magnitude of this onslaught, one needs to realize that a single 16-inch round weighs slightly more than a Volkswagen Beetle, besides being packed with high explosives. On the second day of the bombardment, this force was joined by 8 more battleships, 6 heavy cruisers and 5 light cruisers. The islands were ringed by American warships with their guns blazing. Shells rained down on the island, its villages, inhabitants, and defenders, gouging huge craters in the sand and coral. The earth trembled under the tremendous explosions of naval bombardment and simultaneous air attacks.

The main invasion force landed along 4 miles of beach at Chalan Kanoa. Twenty-eight U. S. tanks were destroyed the first day alone. The Japanese positioned colored flags in the lagoon to mark the range of the landing force and to register their howitzers on the invaders from locations behind Mount Fina Susu, and their shell fire rained down on the advancing American force every 15 seconds in a deadly cauldron of exploding steel. By nightfall of the first day, the Second Marine Division had sustained 2,000 casualties. The fighting continued until July 9th, when organized resistance on Saipan ceased. When the fighting ended, American losses on Saipan were double those suffered on Guadalcanal. Of the 71,034 U. S. troops landed on Saipan, 3,100 were killed, 13,100 wounded or missing in action. Out of the 31,629 Japanese on Saipan, approximately 29,500 died as a result of the fighting, and only 2,100 prisoners survived. Fighting between the Japanese and the Americans was by no means completely mechanized; while ships, aircraft, artillery, and tanks inflicted the largest amount of damage to the combatants, a great deal of the fighting was hand-to-hand. Besides machine guns, flame throwers, rifles, and pistols, deadly skirmishes were fought with bayonets, swords, bamboo spears, clubs, stones and fists.

The ratio of battle dead was 9.5:1 during the 24 days of fighting. Place names given the rugged Saipan terrain such as Death Valley, Purple Heart Ridge and Harakiri Gulch testified to the bitter fighting. One of the most lamentable events of the battle for Saipan involved the mass suicide of hundreds of families, many of whom jumped to their deaths from the high cliffs at the island's northernmost point. This tragic event could not be stopped, despite efforts by Americans and indigenous Saipanese using loudspeakers to try to convince the Japanese that surrender would be shameless and harmless.

Saipan provided the United States military with its first opportunity to learn about military occupation of enemy territory with a Japanese civilian population. Civilians encountered during the period of the battle and afterward, while emergency conditions still prevailed, were placed in secure camps to keep them out of the way of the fighting. Thus assembled, the U.S. military could better meet their basic needs for food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Schools were established as soon as conditions permitted. In September, 1945, the camps housed 13,954 Japanese, 1,411 Koreans, 2,966 Chamorros and 1,025 Carolinians. Contained within a two square mile area near Lake Susupe, the compounds were primitive and only the bare necessities were available. Weathered boards, tattered tents and battered tin sheets from the island's bombed-out sugar refinery provided the only shelter from the weather. Each hut (han) accommodated from 20 to 55 people. After the fighting, families were released from Camp Susupe during the day to cultivate vegetables, as food was scarce. Food production was increased from 79,469 pounds of produce in September, 1944 to 286,029 pounds in September, 1945. The camp also had a makeshift Buddhist temple, where Shinto religious ceremonies were held. Release from these camps is celebrated as "Liberation Day" by inhabitants of Saipan to this day on the 4th of July. The Japanese on Saipan had a high birth rate - about 300 babies per 1,000 women aged 15 to 45 - and there were many orphans in the camps who were attended and raised by Japanese nurses. Most of these were the children of Japanese parents who had killed themselves during the mass suicide.

After the capture of Saipan, the fighting continued elsewhere in the Pacific for another 13 months. Camps on Tinian were constructed to house 50,000 U.S. troops and 1.2 million pounds of crops were produced, all of which were consumed on the island. On August 6, 1945, an American Superfortress flying from Tinian dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, hastening Japan's capitulation. The war formally ended with Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945. The final surrender on the island of Saipan did not take place, however, until December 1, 1945, when Japanese Army Captain Sakeo Oba, who had continued to hold out in the mountains with 46 men as a guerrilla force, surrendered his Samurai sword to Major Herman Lewis and Colonel Scott, USMC.

About 90 percent of the civilian population on Saipan survived the war. These included Koreans, Okinawans, and Japanese who were subsequently repatriated to their respective homelands. As recorded on December 31, 1949, the indigenous population of Saipan was 6,225. In 1937 23,658 persons had inhabited Saipan (4,145 were indigenous).

Today, what little World War Two equipment remains after being collected and sold for scrap after the war is protected by law because of its historical value. Lying below the surface of a lagoon once congested with landing craft and ships of all type are the coral encrusted tools of war. Rifles, helmets, bullets, tanks, ships and landing craft litter the sandy lagoon floor as if in an underwater time capsule in silent testimony to one of the last battles fought in a pre-nuclear age. More than fifty years after the invasion, unexploded live ordnance still poses a very real danger to the unwary diver or souvenir hunter.

Four Marines received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Saipan. Each lost his life in the action for which he was honored. The four were: Gunnery Sergeant Robert H. McCard, 4th Tank Battalion; Sergeant Grant F. Timmerman, 2nd Tank Battalion; Private First Class Harold G. Agerholm, 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division; Private First Class Harold G. Epperson, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. Gunnery Sergeant McCard, a native of Syracuse, NY, single-handedly covered the escape of his crew from a disabled tank. He faced the fire of a battery of anti-tank guns with hand grenades and a machine gun. Sergeant Timmerman, who came to the Marine Corps from Americus, KS, threw himself across an open tank hatch to protect his crew from an enemy grenade. PFC Agerholm disregarded heavy enemy fire and personally evacuated 45 wounded Marines during an enemy attack on an artillery position. Agerholm, a native of Racine, WI, was killed by a sniper as he tried to help two other wounded men. PFC Epperson of Akron, OH, threw himself on a hand grenade, which landed in his machine gun position during an enemy attack. His action saved the rest of his gun crew. (http://www.navysite.de/ships/lha2about.htm)

Fi'on-hu

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 22:08:00 +0000

Chamorro Art

Chamorro Chonology

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 22:04:00 +0000

Canvas and poster prints are now available.

A New Day...

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 20:46:00 +0000

After much debate, criticism, and cynicism that lead to a long hiatus of this blog, I'm back. I figured that no matter how many trolls try to tear down my efforts to promote the Chamorro language without using the oh-so-new and unoriginal "glota" (the weird new circle placed above a's in contemporary Guamanian Chamorro that some cling to as their enraged gospel truth), I have to do what I have to do. Sorry, folks. The "glota" is not in any of the original texts of the Chamorro language and I don't believe in inventing symbols just to make a language "easier." You have to learn it the right way or it just comes off as pretentious. The more important thing to consider is this: Chamorro is a rare language and in order to preserve it, we have to make it available for everyone to learn, and if you want to draw circles, hearts, diamonds, clovers, or purple horseshoes above your vowels, knock yourself out :-) In the meantime, more lessons are coming and if any trolls who personally thank themselves online on Omniglot or those who call themselves "the truth" have anything to say, they can just put it in their pugua and chew it because I really don't care :-) Have a wonderful day everyone!

Septenarion - I Piniten Santa Maria Siha - The Seven Sorrows of Mary

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:39:00 +0000

SEPTENARION (1)

Download your own Septenarion prayer pamphlet in Chamorro! :-)

Komplimento i Mafañagun i Patgon-mu! - Congratulations On the Birth of Your Child!

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:26:00 +0000

Komplimento i mafañagun i patgon-mu!
Congratulations on the birth of your child!

Hayi na'an-ña?
What's his/her name?

Si Viktor este.
This is Viktor.

Kuanto i minakka-ña?
How much did he/she weigh?

Kuanto i annako-ña?
How many inches is he/she?

Ha chule' i matan tata-ña.
or
Haosgi i matan tata-ña.
He has his father eyes.

Ha chule' i matan nana-ña.
She has her mother's face.

Ha chule' i lineka tata-ña.
He has his father's height.

Kalan si tata-ña an chumalek.
She has her father's smile.

Ha chule' i gapotulun nana-ña.
(or)
Manoasgi i gapotulun nana-ña.
He has his mother's hair.

Kalan sehas nana-ña.
She has her mother's eyebrows.

Impottante na para un fa'ña'gue i patgon-mu ni fino' Chamorro.
It is important to teach your child Chamorro.

Kao para un fa'ña'gue i patgon-mu ni fino' Chamorro?
Are you going to teach your child how to speak Chamorro?

Debidi un banidosa!*
You must be very proud!

Mampos bunitu.
He is very handsome.

Mampos bunita.
She is very beautiful.

Bunita mampos i mata-ña!
Such beautiful eyes!

Mampos bunita chumalek!
What a beautiful smile!

Ngai'an ni mafañagu?
When was he/she born?

Hafa i mafañagu-mu?
What's your birthdate?

Kao guaha mas un nisisita para i neni?
Do you need anything for the baby?

Kao un nisisita magagu pat pañales?
Do you need baby clothes or diapers?

Natungo' yu yanggin guaha mas un nisisita!
Let me know if you need anything!

Cha'mu chathinasso, sa todo nuebo na man'aina man luluhan.
Don't be worried, all new parents are nervous.

Maulek hao todo siempre.
You'll do fine.

Mampos hao siempre maulek na saina.
You will be an excellent parent.

Hoguen maulek i neni
(or)
Go'ten maulek i neni.
Hold the baby carefully.

*Banidosa in this sense is not derogatory as it tends to mean show-off or gaudy, but in this case it means proud.

Fanmatto' Manheñgge (Adeste Fidelis/O Come All Ye Faithful)

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:19:00 +0000

This is not a direct translation from the English "O Come All Ye Faithful" but this is the Chamorro version sung during Christmastime and in the same melody. Andrea Bocelli's "Adeste Fideles" is posted for now until someone posts the Chamorro version by Johnny Sablan :P A belated Felis Nabidat para todos hamyo!

Fanmatto' Manheñgge
Fata i minagof
Fanmatto, fanmatto giya Belen.

Atan i Patgon,
Rai Anghet siha;
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Si Jesus.

Ilek-ña i anghet nu i pastot siha,
Estague i Kristo giya Belen,
Gi sagan gaga, chatsaga, taigima
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Si Jesus.

I malak na ina, Lahen Yu'us Tata,
Humuyong sen Taotao achaiguata.
O yiniusan Dikiki na Patgon.
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Si Jesus.

Malañgo i taotao, ti amtiyon esta,
lao matto si Yu'us ni Yoamte.
Guiya i amot nahomlo yan mames.
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Si Jesus.

Representative Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan Congratulating Chamorro Soldier on Massachusetts Outstanding Woman Veteran of the Year Award (2009)

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:07:00 +0000

Hafa Adai! It's Been a While!

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:55:00 +0000

Sorry to keep anyone waiting as it has been a while since anything new was posted to the site. I hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season and you can look forward to more updates and postings in the near future on the Chamorro Language page. In the meantime, enjoy Jay Chele's 10th podcast of Chamorro music :-) Adios!

CHE'LE STICKERS

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Sat, 30 May 2009 01:24:00 +0000

For those of you who might not know, the Chamorro Music Podcast on youtube is put together by an outstanding Chamorro named Jay Che'le. Did you also know that he is quite the amazing artist as well? If you didn't, it's time to take a look at Che'le Stickers: (http://chelestickers.com/StickersMain.html)

Visit Che'le Stickers and show that Chamorro pride and support Chamorro artists!

eTecha - The First Chamorro Online Rosary

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:45:00 +0000

Since this is Kuaresma, we've decided to give an extra helping hand in offering the first, full Chamorro Lisayo online with audio and text. If some of you have never heard one or want to learn how to say it, this should prove to be an excellent guide. In any case, hearing spoken Chamorro and reading the text is beneficial to those looking to improve upon their knowledge base. Si Yu'us Ma'ase!

Chiefs: Ben Blaz discussing Chief Gadao

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:03:00 +0000

Check out more videos at: http://www.bisitaguam.com/menu.html

For more information about Gadao's Cave, visit: http://www.pacificworlds.com/guam/stories/story1.cfm

Sinisa yan Kuaresma - Ash Wednesday and Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:12:00 +0000

As many of you may or may not know, the majority of Chamorros are Roman Catholic. Wednesday was Sinisa which marks the start of Kuaresma. On Sinisa, you have your penitensia to carry out and of course munga makanno katne an Betnes! Ayunat is required for the more able bodied and healthy while those who have health issues are exempt from doing so. Throughout this season of Kuaresma, we look forward to Semana Santa. This starts with Ramos and it's suggested not to eat meat at all throughout the week. However, I am going to decline doing so as both a devout carnivore and having become anemic from just a few weeks without katne the year before :P Guihan just didn't cut it. Semana Santa starts to wrap up with Huebes Santo, which includes the washing of the feet ceremony at the Santa Misa. Followed by Huebes Santo is Betnes Santo, Sabalun Loria, and finally Pasgua. More information about these special days will be posted when the time comes and until then, keep up that penitensia!

Sinisa - Ash Wednesday
Kuaresma - Lent

Penitensia (Penance) - Giving up something for Lent
Ayunat - Fasting
Munga makanno katne an Betnes - Don’t eat meat on Fridays

Guihan - Fish

Katne - Meat

Santa Misa - Holy Mass
Semana Santa - Holy Week
Ramos - Palm Sunday
Huebes Santo - Shroud Thursday
Betnes Santo - Good Friday
Sabalun Loria - Holy Saturday
Pasgua - Easter

Veterans - I Beteranu Siha

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:47:00 +0000

Ti malagu yu mapedde nu este na gerra, tampoku hao.

I don't want to lose this war, and neither do you.

Todo siha ayu i ti magerra, taya tiningo-ñiha i mina'añao.

Those who haven't been to war, have no idea how horrible it is.

Munga ma ekunguk todo siha i masasangan na asunto.

Don't listen to everything the media tells you.

Todo siha i tumunan manmaisa siha put todo "i minagahet," puru ha dinagi.

Those who call themselves "the truth" are usually full of shit.

Supotta i sindalun-ta siha.

Support the troops.

Yu'us bendisi i sindalun mami siha.

God bless our troops.

Lameta i korason-hu esta gaige giya Iraq.

Half of my heart is in Iraq.

I lahi-hu gaige giya Iraq.

My son is in Iraq.

I haga-hu gaige giya Afghanistan.

My daughter is in Afghanistan.

I VA debi di u ayuda i beteranu siha.

The VA should be helping veterans.

Todo i taotao mantrankilo manmaigu gi puengge sa mangaige i sindalu siha malisto para u ma protehi hafa na achaki.

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

Yanggin taya hao ni gumerra, fa'tinas i fabot yan huchom i pachot-mu.

If you haven't been in combat, do us all a favor and shut up.

Debi di u guaha respeto para i manmatai siha.

Have respect for the dead.

**Special note: Thanks to Ms. Blas for catching the typo!!!

Felis Año Nuebo! - Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:13:00 +0000

Para i Chamorro Language & Culture site, hu ekstetende un dangkolo na si Yu’us ma’ase todos hamyo guini ni man gaige nu i suppottasion, i bendision, yan i botun konfiansa. Felis 2009!

Felis Nabidat - Merry Christmas 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 01:52:00 +0000

Salmo 96 1-3, 11-13
1 O kantaye si Jeova ni i nuebo na kanta! Kantaye si Jeova, todo i tano!
2 Kantaye si Jeova, bendise i na'an-ña! Fanmamanue ni i satbasion-ña ginen i ha'ane yan i ha'ane.
3 Sangan klaro i mina'lak-ña gi nasion siha ya i ninámanman-ña gi entalo todo i taotao siha!

11 Manmagof i langet siha, yan senmagof i tano! Ya i tasi palalangpang, yan i binila-ña.
12 Ya i fangualuan senmagof yan todo i mangaige gi sanhalom-ña: ayonae todo i trongko siha gi halomtano mangantapot i minagof.
13 Gi menan Jeova, sa guiya umamamaila; sa guiya umamamaila para uhusga i tano: uhusga i tano gi tininas, yan i taotao siha gi minagahet-ña.

Psalm 96 1-3, 11-13
1 Sing a new song to Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
2 Sing to Yahweh, bless his name! Proclaim his salvation day after day,
3 declare his glory among the nations, his marvels to every people!

11 Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad! Let the sea thunder, and all it holds!
12 Let the countryside exult, and all that is in it, and all the trees of the forest cry out for joy,
13 at Yahweh's approach, for He is coming, coming to judge the earth; he will judge the world with saving justice, and the nations with constancy.

San Lukas 2:1-14
Luke 2:1-14
1 Ya susede na ayo siha na ha'ane, humuyong un bando ginen as Augusto Sesat, para todo i
tano na mataotague, na i na'an-ñiha ufanmatuge gi padron.
1 Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be made of the whole inhabited world.
2 Este finenena na padron esta fumatinas, anae si Kirinius i magalahi giya Siria.
2 This census -- the first -- took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria,
3 ya manhanao todo i taotao para ninatuge i na'an-ñiha gi padron, kada uno gi siudaña.
3 and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Ya humanao si José ginen Galilea, ginen un siuda na na'an-ña Nasaret, para ufalak Judea, gi siudan David, na mafana'an Belen, sa guiya i gima i familian David,
4 So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judaea, to David's town called Bethlehem, since he was of David's House and line,
5 para ufanmatuge gi padron yan si Maria, asagua-ña umakamo yan guiya, anae estaba dangkulo sa mapotge,
5 in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 Ya susede, anae gaige siha guihi, i ha'ani-ña ni para ufañago esta makumple;
6 Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child,
7 Ya mañago un lahi finenena na patgon; ya mabalutan ni i pañales, ya mana'ason ki kahon sakate; sa taya sagañiha gi gima.
7 and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the living-space.
8 Ya guaha pastot siha guihi na tano, na mañaga gi fangualuan, ya ha'adadahe i manadan kinilo gi puenge.
8 In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep during the watches of the night.
9 Ya estagui i anghet i Señot tumotohge guiya siha; y minalak Yu'us haina gi oriya-ñiha; ya guaha dangkulo na mina'añao.
9 An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified,
10 Lao i anget ilek-ña nu siha, 'Chamiyo fanmaañao; sa, estagui, na huchule para hamyo maolek na sinangan dangkulo na minagof, para todo i taotao.
10 but the angel said, 'Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.
11 Sa esta mafañago para hamyo gi siudan David, pago na ha'ane, un Satbadot, na guiya si Kristo i Señot.
11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12 Ya este i señatmiyo: Inseda i patgon mabalutan ni i pañales, ya uma'ason gi kahon sakate.'
12 And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.'
13 Ya ensegidas anok yan i anghet i linahyan i sendalo gi langet, na manmantutuna as Yu'us, ya ilek-ñija:
13 And all at once with the angel there was a great throng of the hosts of heaven, praising God with the words:
14 Mina'lak gi i Geftakilo as Yu'us, ya i tano pas gi entalo taotao ni i minagof-ña dangkulo.
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours.

How to Learn a Language

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:48:00 +0000

Learning a language isn't an easy task, even if you are the type who's more linguistically inclined. However, when one is learning a rare language such as Chamorro, studying can be extremely intimidating. Chamorro language materials are sparse at best and there are quite a few people out there sending mixed messages on Chamorro spelling, grammar, and pronunciation. So anyone who is seriously taking on Chamorro with the goal of fluency or at least near-fluency deserves a great big pat on the back.

Whether you're learning Chamorro because it's a part of your heritage, for pure polyglot curiosity, or just to learn a few phrases to be a polite visitor to the Marianas, we have a gift for you. There are other sources out there that give lofty information about how to learn Chamorro yet provide no real substance. We've even seen a few other sites take material from this site as well (yes, we've noticed). However, the goal of this site is not monetary gain or fame, as all contributors to this site are somewhat anonymous, but to spread information and resources for Chamorro language and culture. Therefore in an effort to make your life easier on your path to Chamorro language acquisition and/or maintenance, we've compiled a list of ways to keep your Chamorro language learning on track along with book suggestions for further study in order to achieve your language goals.

The Chamorro language needs to be preserved, but it's up to Chamorros to take accountability and responsibility in ensuring its survival. There will be no one left to blame but ourselves if we let our own language slip through our fingers to be lost forever. This is all a part of the reason why so much on this blog is for free as it would be wrong to charge people who want to save the language. However, we do have a problem with others taking without giving this blog credit. For the rest of you with good intentions for Chamorro Language and Culture, here's some realistic advice and resources with explanations.

How to Learn a Language: Chamorro Style

1. Be Realstic in Setting Your Language Goals
Be honest with yourself. How much do you really want to learn? Whether you want to learn Chamorro for family or just for fun, you should set a goal for yourself according to what level you want to be on. You may wonder how long it might take you to learn Chamorro on a basic, intermediate, or advanced-fluent level and in reality it's entirely up to you. However, if you remain dedicated and committed to the language learning process, giving yourself a year at a time for each of the three stages is completely feasible.

If you're starting at a basic level, give yourself a year to learn grammar, sentence structure and basic vocabulary. Basic level students will often make mistakes and this is perfectly normal. This level of proficiency indicates that the person will find it extremely difficult to carry on in a conversation without rehearsed material. One might ask, how will one know if they're truly advancing in a language even at the basic level. One good indicator is that you'll start to dream in the language. So when you start using Chamorro in your dream dialogues, you'll know you're getting somewhere and take note of it!

At an intermediate level, one should be able to be able to handle casual conversations, yet with some errors, and be able to describe oneself and surroundings with little to no difficulty. At this level, one needs guidance but not frequently. Accent and pronunciation should be understandable, but there still may be flaws at this stage. Grammar and sentence structure is understood at this level in speaking, reading and writing.

At an advanced level, you should be fully confident in everything you've learned at the intermediate level and ready to handle yourself in all aspects of communicating in Chamorro. One should be at the level equivalent or near to that of a fully fluent and articulate native speaker. An advanced level speaker may still have occasional mistakes when it comes to Chamorro idioms and/or colloquialisms.

And of course, fluent, is the highest point where one could reach in Chamorro as in any other language. One should have fulfilled the criteria of the advanced level and be able to handle themself in any social situation along with demonstrated proficiency in reading and writing.

2. Choose What Interests You Most and Go For It

Whether it's swearing, tourism, talking to grandparents, history, preservation or any other personal reason for learning Chamorro, start with what you like. Think about what you want to know how to say regarding your interests. For example, if you want to speak with elder Chamorro relatives, one might want to be able to start a conversation and ask the person questions i.e. "Is there anything I can do for you?", "In which village were you born?", "What was Saipan like in WWII?" Anything. Write your list out and get going on a quest to get it translated into Chamorro. You can ask a native speaker or start with Chamorro dictionaries, but try looking up words on your own first.

3. Create A Study Plan and Style
What kind of learner are you? Do you remember things better by hearing a recording or do you need to write things down? Get a recorder, a notebook, anything to help you out, but for starters, a simple notepad at first will help you get motivated and ready to write wherever you go. Figure out your favorite method to keep track of your language progress and stick to it, but bear in mind that you need to be able to speak, listen, read, and write in Chamorro to be fully fluent.

If you're not sure where to begin, the best way to get started for the long-haul is with index cards and/or a notebook. Get yourself organized through creating tabs or folders for grammar, vocabulary, phrases, and extra paper to practice dictation. Consolidate your materials exclusively for Chamorro language and get started on your lists.

4. If Possible, Find a Tutor
One might not think about it, but if you live in the Marianas, particularly the CNMI, you should not be experiencing a shortage in tutors. Ask someone to be a tutor and of course, offer something in return whether it be monetary gift or a trade. A tutor is your walking dictionary, but make sure they're a native, fluent speaker. You don't have to hang around this person all day, everyday, but the more exposure to Chamorro you have, even when you don't completely understand the conversation, the better for your future comprehension. Try to make an arrangement of a couple hours per week or more if time permits for you or the native speaker.

5. Cheat Sheets and List-Making
Everywhere you go, you want to be able to pull out your lists or note cards when possible. Instead of playing with your cell phone or twiddling your thumbs, practicing your Chamorro is the cure for your boredom if you're truly a committed student. Whatever you're trying to learn, whether it's phrases or a vocabulary list, make it accessible at all times until you've mastered it.

6. Adopt the "Parrot Attitude"
Listen closely to Chamorro conversations and imitate the sounds and words in your mind. If possible, record your own voice and try to point out what you need to improve. Imitate the accent, obviously not in front of the people you're listening to, and pay close attention to which words tend to be used the most and which words you're not sure of.

7. Repetition-Repetition-Repetition
It's boring, but it helps. It's not enough to know a few songs or a hymn. You may even try saying the rosary in Chamorro. There are plenty of old words, it's all in Chamorro, and there is plenty of repetition. If you can do this on your own, and without looking at a book or a cheat sheet, you're definitely on the intermediate level and on your way to the advanced level of Chamorro language learning. Repetition, association, and mnemonic devices will definitely help you in vocabulary retention.

8. Stay Disciplined

Falling off the language wagon is usually a cause for not advancing in this area of study. One day you're enthusiastic, ready to take on the language world and another day, it just seems to be too much. Stay disciplined. Language learning isn't easy, but if you really want to achieve a certain level of proficiency, make language practice a daily task.

9. Humility
Feeling uneasy, embarrassed, making numerous mistakes, and getting laughed at certainly isn't a great feeling, but guess what? Everyone who learns a second, third, or fourth language goes through the same process of humiliation. It is a linguistic rite of passage. Therefore, it takes humility to put your ego aside and place yourself in awkward situations. Force yourself to speak Chamorro whenever the opportunity presents itself.

10. Keep Setting New Goals and Never Stop Learning

There is no zenith in learning a language, but being able to communicate fluently should be your goal. Even when you are at the fluent stage, there are probably words you still won't know. And that's fine, so long as you strive to learn more words and perfect your communication in Chamorro. Keep setting goals for yourself and once you reach them, create more goals, and never stop learning.

Chamorro Quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:12:00 +0000

In learning a new language or refreshing what you know, the one thing that will help you succeed is something people just don't like: Memorization. Memorizing and repeating phrases help you to retain new words and sentences which are vital for language learning. Although tedious, repeating and memorizing vocabulary and phrases are all a part of becoming fluent in a language. Here are a few more famous quotes that you can use to help in comprehension and language retention:

Elie Wiesel

I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

Manhula -yu na ti bai hu fama'kilo yanggin guaha na sinapit yan na mamahlao. Debi di ta lipara i dinanche na banda. I nuturalidat inayuyuda para u anuk i applacha na finatinas yan traision ni para i mamadesi. Yanggin mama'kikilo yan pomeniniti una o'obra i traidot na taotao, debi di un mumuyi i traision. (not an exact translation, but close enough to carry the point)

Edmund Burke

All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.

Todo siha na nesesidat i finatinas Satanas, taya i maolek na taotao siña ha chogue.

George Santayana

Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Todo siha i ti kumunprende i historia siempre ma ripiti ta'lo tati.

Chamorro Music Podcast

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:58:00 +0000

If you haven't checked this out already, I highly suggest that you do so to keep it going. It's all in Chamorro and what better way to learn the language than through music (and this site :P)? The songs featured in this first podcast episode are:

Memorias Taotao Isla - Alfred Saures
Acho Natibu - Daniel De Leon Guerrero
Amerikanu Pao Asu - Candy Taman

Subscribe to Chamorro Music Podcast at:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/ChamorroMusic

Thanks, Jay Che'le!!!

CNMI Tribute to Fallen Heroes

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:25:00 +0000

Na'gaige gi pas i todu mansendalun-ta

Support the Mariana Trench Marine Monument

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:46:00 +0000

Is this a good idea? Absolutely.

Not really understanding such opposition to such a great idea, but read on and shudder:
http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=84853&cat=1

But show your support right here:
http://marianamonument.blogspot.com/

Famous Quotes in Chamorro

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 05:11:00 +0000

A few quotes to meditate upon, both in English and Chamorro...

Maya Angelou
Taya mina'ase tat komu un hoben ha taihininge sa ginen timanungo yan timanhongge.

There's nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Debi di un utungo' i linguahi i tano' pat i lugat ni ha bisita. Pat u fa'ma'neni - taya ayudu yan atmariao.

One must learn the language of the country he visits. Otherwise he voluntarily makes himself a great baby - so helpless and so ridiculous.

Navajo Prayer

Gatbo gi mena-hu, gatbo gi tate-ku. Gi hilo-hu yan gi papa-hu mampos gatbo.

Beauty is before me, beauty is behind me. Above me and below me hovers the beautiful.

Standing Bear

Yanggin i korason taotao chago kontra i tano, i korason-ña mampos mahetok.

Man's heart away from nature becomes hard.

Paddling between Saipan and Tinian

noreply@blogger.com (Chamorroyalty) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:38:00 +0000

A Guam crew made up of 7 women and 2 men joined Saipan Outrigger Canoe Club in the channel crossing to Tinian. The crews stayed in Tinian overnight to celebrate the Tinian Fiesta and then paddled back to Saipan the next morning, 22 miles each way.