Impottånte na Påtte Gi Iyo-ku Identity

I lengguahen-ña un gof impottånte na påtte gi identity un taotao. Hu diseha na mafa’nå’gue yu’ ni’ lengguahi-hu annai mapoksai yu’. Meggai taotao humugando i game Dos na Minagahet yan Uno Dagi. I Biahi-hu put Lengguahi kontodu Uno Minagahet yan Kuattro Dinagi Siha. Colonization. Ti malåte’ yu’ anggen hu tungo’. Ti båli gui’. Ti siña ha ayuda yu’ umadilånto. Ti hu nisisita gui’.

Lao gi minagahet, guiya hu gof nisisita. Guiya hu nisista para hu tungo’ håyi yu’. Malago’ yu’ umeyak gui’. Guiya impottånte påtte giya guahu. 

Kalen meggai na otro Chamoru siha, ti mafa’na’gue yu’ ni lengguahi-ti gi dumangkolo’-hu, Håfa? Un dibåtde na online Chamoru klas gi duranten i pandemic? Huungan, humålom yu’! Hu chachagi umestudia gui’ på’go. Ma nå’na’i yu’ ayu na regalu i lengguahi-hu. Guiya uno na rigålu iti hu hasso bei risibi pat baba. 

Guaha gi i paketi:

• Agradesimento
• Binanidosu
• Minappot
• Guinaya
• Ánima
• Humitde
• Benedisión
• Animu
• Chinatsaga

Lina’la’-hu matuilaka gi ná’manman na manera siha. Huungan, hu diseha mås chaddek i studio-hu. Huuggan, hu diseha na Guahu un sen kadidok na ramenta gi i kahita. Lao ni Guahu. Lao bunmachacha yu. Kumometi yu. Macho’cho’cho’ yu’ para bei tungo’ mås todu i tiempo. Hu mas sesso sanganin maisa, “ti nahong i chinaddek-ña i estudio-hu”, lao un maolek na gachong-hu ha na’hasso yu’ “meggaiña på’go i tiningo’-ta kinu noskuantos åños tåtte na tiempo.” Lengguahi-hu un impottånte na patte gi identity-hu. Ti åpmam bai hu ma’gåsi gui’!

A Key Part of My Identity

A person’s language is a key part of their identity. I wish I could have learned mine growing up. Many of us have played the game Two Truths and a Lie. My language journey includes One truth and Four Lies. Colonization. I wouldn’t be smart if I learned it. It’s not valuable. It won’t help me get ahead. I don’t need it.

But I actually do need it. I do need to know it. I do want to learn it. It’s a critical part of who I am. 

Like so many other Chamorus, I was not taught our language growing up. What? Free Chamoru classes online during the pandemic? Yes, I’m in! I’m trying to learn it now. I have been given this gift of my language. It’s one that I never thought I would get nor open.

The package includes:

• Gratitude
• Pride 
• Difficulty
• Love
• Inspiration 
• Humility
• Blessing
• Courage
• Discomfort

My life has changed in immeasurable ways. Yes, I wish I could learn faster. Yes, I wish I was the sharpest tool in the box. I am neither. But I am steady. I am committed. I am working to learn more all the time. I too often tell myself “I’m not learning fast enough”, yet I was reminded by my good friend that “we’re so much further along than we were a few years ago”. My language is a key part of my identity. I will master it soon.