Year: 2023

Quick Reference Guide: Using the Man- Prefix with Transitive Verbs

On By Schyuler LujanIn Chamorro Lessons: IntermediateLeave a comment

Here is my quick reference sheet for understanding how to apply the man- prefix (both the indefinite man- prefix and the plural man- prefix) to transitive verbs. I don’t go in-depth into any grammar rules, I just give some examples for past, present, future, and imperative tense with light notes on the differences in the structures between definite and indefinite objects. In all the examples I use the root word fa’tinas which means “to make or prepare.” For a more in-depth walkthrough of the man- prefix for transitive verbs, please see this post: Man- Prefix for Transitive Verbs. Happy reviewing!

taitai mås

Speech Attribution in Chamorro part 1: Using “Ilek”

On By Schyuler LujanIn Chamorro Lessons: Intermediate2 Comments

This year I am focused on listening to Chamorro while reading along with the transcript to better train my ear and absorb more fluent or native-level speech patterns. One set of patterns that I am now more comfortable with is how speech attribution (phrases like he said, “__” or she asked, “___”) occurs in Chamorro. In this series of blog posts, I’m going to talk about the 4 patterns I’ve noticed around speech attribution, and this first post will focus on the use of the work ilek.

taitai mås

Three Tips for Beginners

On By Schyuler LujanIn Study TipsLeave a comment

I’ve been reflecting upon my language learning journey these past couple of weeks, thinking back to when I first started learning the language. There were a lot of things I did that really helped me, but also some key areas that I would do differently . Here are my reflections, distilled as my top three tips for beginners who are getting started in learning Chamoru.

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