Our View: Efforts to save CHamoru language important to Guam
Pacific Daily News
At one point not too long ago, the CHamoru language was in serious decline.
Robert A. Underwood, a longtime educator, former UOG president and former Guam delegate, has said the CHamoru language can be considered endangered because it isn t being transmitted intergenerationally in the home.
But there are strong efforts to reverse that course on Guam.
Many younger CHamorus are making concerted efforts to pass the language down to their children. Kenneth Kuper and Francine Naputi said they consider teaching Guam’s indigenous language is a gift they’re giving to their children and they hope other families will do the same.
Editor s note: As Guam emerges from a pandemic that has touched every aspect of life on island and around the world, residents are faced with a question: What will our future be like? After more than a year that saw tens of thousands collect unemployment, tourism come to an abrupt halt, empty schools and overflowing hospitals, the island is on the verge of reopening. The Pacific Daily News is publishing a series of stories looking at the island s future. Today, we look at preservation of language and culture
Passing down the CHamoru language is a gift Kenneth Kuper and Francine Naputi are giving to their children and they hope other families will do the same.