A few weeks ago for Chamoru class we were asked to write our own nursery rhyme. I always like to make up silly rhymes in English, so I took full advantage of the opportunity to try it out in Chamoru. The effect is something that is fun to say and very silly. I wanted to see if rhyming different words would help me remember them better, and I think it does help. I’ve modified my original verse to center around the theme of being at the beach. There’s a lot of repetition for drilling some basic grammar.

Taotao gi kanton tåsi

Pacha i panglao
Ilek-ña i taotao.
Bisita i hima
Ilek-ña i prima.
Kuentusi i asuli
Ilek-ña i estudiante.
Tungo’ i halu’u
Ilek-ña i subrinu.
Apasi i balate’
Ilek-ña i lahi.
Tunu i ayuyu
Ilek-ña i bihu.

Ilek-hu este:
Onra i tano’-ta
para maolek na lina’lå’-ta!