CHAMORRO: a language of Guam

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: CJD

ISO 639-1: ch

ISO 639-2: cha

Population	62,500 in Guam (1991 Bender and Rehg), about 50% of the population. About 80% of ethnic Chamorros have some command of the language (1997 Honolulu Advertiser). Population total both countries 78,000.
Region	Also spoken in Northern Mariana Islands.
Alternate names	TJAMORO
Dialects	CHAMORRO, ROTANESE CHAMORRO.
Classification	Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Chamorro.
Comments	Active language use. Language gaining in importance. Taught at the University of Guam. Influence from Spanish. National language. Grammar. SVO, VSO. Tropical. Coral plateau in north, volcanic in south. 500 to 1,334 feet. Christian. Bible portions 1908-1992.

Also spoken in:

Northern Mariana Islands

Language name	CHAMORRO
Population	14,205 in Northern Mariana Islands (1990), including 11,466 on on Saipan (1990), 1,502 on Rota (1990), 1,231 on Tinian (1990); 62,500 on Guam (1991 Bender and Rehg); 90,000 including second language users (1987 UBS).
Alternate names	TJAMORO
Comments	Slight dialect differences. Some bilingualism in English. It is a trade language on Saipan. National language. Dictionary. Grammar. Christian. Bible portions 1908-1992. See main entry under Guam.