Ginen i Hila’ i Mañaina-ta

CHamoru Cultural Dictionary Series

The depth and breadth of the CHamoru language with its rich use of metaphors and phrases and double meanings cannot easily be captured in the traditional dictionary format of listing and defining words. ‬The aim of this series is to document the wisdom of our ancestors and revitalize the learning and teaching of our language through CHamoru literature.

Currently there are two volumes in the Cultural Dictionary Series written in both CHamoru and English. Entries capture expressions about values, behavior, labels and traditions, which reveal subtle meanings‭. ‬They represent creative ways that our ancestors taught their beliefs and acceptable codes of conduct‭, ‬often through humorous twists of words‭.‬

Rinikohen Tiningo’ yan Sinangan Siha, Primet na Finakkai
A Resource Book of Significant Concepts and Sayings, Vol I, 2022
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DLixtn9nugDXuZZpXBXGuAs76mDLdqYG/view?usp=sharing

Rinikohen Tiningo’ yan Sinangan Siha, Sigundo na Finakkai
A Resource Book of Significant Concepts and Sayings, Vol II, 2024
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vwRs0BqPFt0MJhJ1rA_9pX7jUC70bF3G/view?usp=sharing

Ineyak i Fino’ CHamoru Para Famagu’on

Children’s CHamoru Pictionary Series

Building vocabulary is essential to language learning. Many of Guåhan’s children are learning to speak CHamoru as a second language. This reality calls for learning tools that expand vocabulary which center on the experiences on children. The Ineyak i Fino’ CHamoru Para Famagu’on Series is designed to meet this need. Both Volumes I and II were widely distributed to public and private elementary schools and daycare centers throughout the island‭.

Ineyak i Fino’ CHamoru Para Famagu’on, Primet na Finakkai
Children’s CHamoru Pictionary, Vol I, 2018

Written by Kumisión members, this volume highlights themes related to water, natural resources, climate, flora and fauna, values, actions, traditions, and other terms that younger children are likely to use in their everyday life. ‬It was reprinted by popular demand in 2020‭. ‬

Ineyak i Fino’ CHamoru Para Famagu’on, Sigundo na Finakkai
Children’s CHamoru Pictionary, Vol II, 2024

Volume II was funded by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant. It highlights places, celebrations, customs and traditions, kinship, technology, and other concepts geared toward elementary and middle school students.

Tinanumi

Tinanumi’s Story

Tinanumi is the story of a young girl who is curious about her name. As she learns what it means, she also learns how to plant, cultivate and harvest her favorite vegetables in her family’s guålo’. The book is meant to engage children in their own journeys of planting what they consume and understanding more fully the relationship between themselves, the land, and food sovereignty. Activities based on Tinanumi’s Story are included for use in the classroom. This children’s book was released in 2024.

Tiniroron Neni

CHamoru Nursery Rhyme Book

Tiniroron Neni is a delightful compilation that brings together a collection of traditional and modern lullabies, poems, and songs. This product showcases the flexibility of the CHamoru language to adapt children’s songs and rhymes that are popular in English. Their familiarity encourages children to learn the CHamoru lyrics. Young children expand their vocabulary and experience language learning in a fun way.

Utugrafihan CHamoru‭, ‬Guåhan

Guåhan CHamoru Orthography

Standardizing the spelling and writing of CHamoru is essential for building‭ ‬proficiency and fluency; and, for teaching CHamoru as a second language in the classroom. ‬The Kumisión updated the 1983 CHamoru Orthography and presented their work in booklet form in 2020. ‬The release of our 2024‭ ‬version of a user-friendly update of the‭ ‬Utugrafihan‭ CHamoru‭, ‬Guåhan‭ ‬is timely as growing numbers of those interested in reading and writing in CHamoru are clamoring for both print ‬and digital resources and guidance. ‬These include CHamoru teachers and learners in Guåhan, as well as throughout the diaspora‭.