Residents challenged to speak only Chamorro on Sunday

Two Chamorro language revitalization advocates are encouraging people to speak only Chamorro Sunday for Ha'ånen Fino' Chamoru Ha'.

Michael Lujan Bevacqua and Kenneth Gofigan Kuper encourage people on island and around the world to participate in the event by speaking only Chamorro during the day.

It's the third time the two have put out the challenge. The goal is that no matter who you are talking to or what you are doing, you use as much Chamorro language as possible.

Ha’ånen Fino’ Chamoru Ha’ is meant to provide a reminder that in order to save the Chamorro language, it has to be a part of everyday island life, according to a news release.

"Let us join together to show that this 4,000-year-old heritage of the Chamorro language lives on through us. It is our hope that by giving ourselves this one day to show it is possible, we will continue to use the language everyday for the rest of the year. Yanggen un lå’la’ gi Fino’ Chamoru, un na’lå’la’ i Fino’ Chamoru: 'If you live in the Chamorro language, you give life to the Chamorro language,'" the release stated.

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Bevacqua is the director of the Chamorro Studies program at the University of Guam. Kuper is a former instructor at UOG and currently a Ph.D. student in political science at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Both are indigenous Chamorros and fluent speakers of the language. They formed the collective Guagua’ Tiningo’ (a basket of knowledge) with the intent of developing innovative strategies for revitalizing the Chamorro language, the news release stated.

Bevacqua will hold a Chamorro 101 workshop starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at Java Junction in Hagåtña.

People who want to participate are encouraged to go to the Facebook event page for more updates and information, and to visit the UOG Chamorro Studies Facebook page and the website Mumun Linahyan. Survival phrases and tips on surviving and succeeding in Ha’ånen Fino’ Chamoru Ha’ will be made available at these online venues.

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"For those who may be intimidated, I would say to show up to (Bevacqua's) Chamorro 101 workshop this Saturday to get some survival phrases, team up with a fluent speaker and, for those who are just starting, maybe work with an elder to create a short video of them speaking in Chamorro as the beginning of a journey," Kuper said.

Kuper said they hope people who participate will reflect on their experiences and see how they can better incorporate the language in their daily lives.

COMMON PHRASES

Hello — Håfa adai

What is this? — Håfa este?

What is that? (near the person you're talking to) — Håfa enao?

What is that? (away from you and person you're talking to) — Håfa ayu?

How do you say (English word) in Chamorro? -- Taimanu un sangan (English word) gi fino' Chamoru? For example:How do you say "deer" in Chamorro? — Taimanu un sangan "deer" gi fino' Chamoru?

What does (Chamorro word) mean in English? — Hafa kumekeilek-ña (Chamorro word) gi fino' Ingles? Example: What does "matatnga" mean in English?— Hafa kumekeilek-ña "matatnga" gi fino' Ingles?

Speak to me in Chamorro please. — Fino' Chamoruyi yu' pot fabot.

Please say that again. — Sångan enao ta'lo put fabot

What are you doing? — Hafa bidada-mu?

Excuse me. — Dispensa' yu'.

Can you help me? — Kao siña un ayuda yu'?

How are you? — Hafa tatatmanu hao?

Where are you? — Manu na gaige hao?

Goodbye, until we see each other again! — Adios, asta ki umali'e' hit ta'lo!