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‘Language needs protection’
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Posted on Jul 30 2008
The Chamarro language needs to be protected, not just preserved, Office of Aging Director Howard Macaranas said.
“To preserve is to just have it there,” Macaranas said. The language needs to be used regularly so it is not lost, he added.
“If we don’t do something now and make people realize we need to do something, we might not have it,” Macaranas said.
He said many people are aware the language is fading but are not doing anything to fix it.
“Everybody knows it’s a future problem, but it’s just in the back of their mind,” he said. “Even me, when I was younger, I didn’t care if I spoke Chamorro.”
Some people speak English because it is convenient, while others are ashamed to speak Chamorro, he said.
“We have to take all those things and tell people there is nothing wrong” with speaking the language,” he added.
Macaranas is beginning preparations for the 3rd annual Chamorro Conference Sept. 26 and 27 at the Saipan World Resort. This is the island’s first time to host the event. Guam and Rota have hosted the event in the past, and Tinian will be the site for the conference next year.
The man’amko recently donated $100 to go toward the $1,200 needed to cover the event’s costs. [B][I](Kristi Eaton)[/I][/B]
