Friday, March 16, 2012

Chamorro or CHamoru?

Written by Joanne Camacho, For the Pacific Daily News, Mar. 16, 2012.

Is it Chamorro or CHamoru?

Growing up on Guam I've always thought it was spelled Chamorro. It wasn't until about 1993 when the Chamorro Language Commission started its long battle with the decision to change the spelling of Chamorro to CHamoru that I realized it was originally spelled with "r-u."

I did my research before tackling this question and after reading everything I could about the Chamorro Language Commission and its fight with the Legislature and the people of Guam, I wasn't even sure I wanted to get involved. I will try and be careful with what I write, but if I offend anyone in any way, please accept my apology in advance.

When the Spaniards came to Guåhan, they saw our CHamoru's with shaved heads and a "topknot" on the top of their heads. In Spanish, the word Chamorro actually means shorn or shaven. So they gave us the name "Chamorro."

In 1983 the Chamorro Language Commission adopted a spelling system called the Chamorro Standard Orthography. This is a system that basically spells the Chamorro words just as they are supposed to be pronounced. For example our capital, Agana, is now spelled Hagåtña.

When the Commission decided to change the spelling of Chamorro to CHamoru, it brought up a lot of controversy with many people. Some people argued that it would be too confusing. Others argued that it would be too much work to change all of the existing documents that are written as Chamorro to CHamoru.

In the end the spelling "Chamorro" remains. The legislature made the final decision in 1994 and although some people still spell it with "r-u," it really depends on the person who is writing it.

Joanne Camacho is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and has been a resident of Guam most of her life. She has extensive experience in retail, marketing and business management. She is married with two children and currently resides in Tamuning. Ask her anything about Guam at askme@guampdn.com

Source: http://www.guampdn.com/article/20120316/LIFESTYLE/203160325/-1/NLETTER01/Chamorro-or-CHamoru?&source=nletter-news

No comments:

Post a Comment