The Rationale for Revitalization

In the 1990 Census, the number of CHamoru speakers on Guam was 34,598. This number has steadily declined since. Between 1990 and 2000 there was a loss of 3,890 speakers. Between 2000 and 2010 the loss was 4,881 speakers and between 2010 and 2020 the census recorded a loss of 4,437 speakers. As of 2020 we have 21,390 speakers most of whom are over the age of 65. If this trend continues, by 2060 CHamoru will no longer be spoken.  

There is growing awareness in our community about the dire need to produce young speakers and dramatically increase the practice of speaking intergenerationally if we want to reverse this downward trend toward extinction. The emergence of immersion programs, such as Fineyakan Sinipok and the Chief Hurao Academy Charter School are a clear indication that concerted efforts are being made to address this crisis. The Kumisión is dedicated to supporting CHamoru language revitalization in all its projects and programs. 

The Kumisión commissioned Dr. Kenneth Gofigan Kuper to conduct  a CHamoru Revitalization Study. Entitled, Giha Mas Mona:  Planning for the Future of Fino’ CHamoru in Guåhan, the report reviews efforts to date and offers recommendations for future action.

Interviews with Second Language Speakers

The Kumisión has launched a campaign to encourage passive speakers and future learners that it is never too late! A series of products and activities are planned as part of this effort entitled, “Ti Atrasåsao,” which is an  urgent call out to those who want to speak CHamoru but have not because they feel intimidated, get embarrassed when making mistakes, and do not have speaking parents who can create a safe and viable language learning  nest. 

Personal testimonies are a powerful source of inspiration for doing something that seems impossible. So, we launched this phase of the campaign with a series of video interviews featuring second language learners of Fino’ CHamoru. Eleven members of our community share their language journeys and best practices for overcoming the obstacles they have encountered. Their interviews are provided below and are also available on our YouTube Channel.

Indigenous Language Symposium, Dinanña put i Fino’ Taotao Tåno’

A two-day Summit was held at the Leo Palace Resort on February 10 and 11, 2023. The theme of the event was “Ti Atrasåsao” – “It’s Never Too Late!”

The Indigenous Language Summit was co-sponsored by the Kumisión i Fino’ CHamoru, University of Guam, Young Men’s League of Guam, and the Pacific Indigenous Women’s Network. The Kumisión portion of the sponsorship was paid for by The Office of the Governor through the Educational Stabilization Fund (ESF), Grant Number S425H21004.

Attendees included CHamoru teachers, CHamoru language champions and students from Guam and CNMI, and indigenous language advocates from the Pacific region including Hawaii, Aotearoa, American Samoa and our neighbors in Micronesia. Island leaders from across the Pacific presented as keynoters and panel participants.

Ti Atrasåsao Book

Additionally, a collection of written testimonies, poems, and artwork will be published in a book entitled, Ti Atrasåsao: It’s Not Too Late! as part of this campaign.