16/02/2021
CHamoru Yu’
Gi Memorias Señora Doktora (PhD) Bernadita Camacho Dungca. Author of “INIFRESI”
At the Imagine Guam convention in January, I talked about the pride I have in being Chamorro and in the beauty of our culture and language. I just heard that one of those people who have worked many years to preserve and perpetuate the Chamorro language has passed away.
Dr. Bernadita Camacho Dungca understood that language is more than just a spoken word. She understood that language encapsulates the values and traditions of a culture and allows us to communicate those values and traditions to younger generations, and to share these things that make the Chamorro culture beautiful with others. You can see it so clearly in the "Inifresi", which she wrote and that is part of the Chamorro language mandate as stated in Public Law 21-34.
Her passing is a loss to our community. But we celebrate her life and her contributions, which have helped boost the renaissance of the Chamorro culture and language for this generation and those to come.
Translated in English: Guam Pledge
From the highest of my thoughts, from the deepest of my heart, and with the utmost of my strength, I offer myself to protect and to defend the beliefs, the culture, the language, the air, the water and the land of the Chamorro, which are our inherent God-given rights. This I will affirm by the holy words and our banner, the flag of Guåhan!
From the highest of my thoughts,
from the deepest of my heart,
and with the utmost of my strength,
I offer myself to protect
and to defend the beliefs,
the culture,
the language,
the air,
the water and the land of the Chamorro,
which are our inherent God-given rights.
I will affirm by the holy words and our banner,
the flag of Guåhan!
