The Garrido Manuscript

Mirconesian Area Research Center Presents Findings on over 200-Year-Old Garrido Manuscript

Research offers unique glimpse of Chamorro Language in 1798

A one-of-a-kind document written in the Chamorro language of the 18^th Century is being brought to light as a result of research recently conducted at the University of Guam Micronesian Area Research Center (MARC). The UOG Chamorro Studies Program and MARC are presenting a translation of this document to the community and offering a rare look into what the Chamorro language looked and sounded like more than 200 years ago.

The presentation will be held at the CLASS Lecture Hall on the University of Guam Campus from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2014.

About the Manuscript

In 1798, Manuel Garrido, a Chamorro and official of the Spanish Government of the Mariana Islands was asked to translate into Chamorro news received from Manila regarding the victory of Spanish and Filipino soldiers against a British ship attacking Zamboanga, in Mindanao. In the translation of this document, Dr. Calos Madrid (MARC Researcher) and Jeremy Cepeda (Chamorro instructor, Simon Sanchez High School) have uncovered a sizable amount of Ancient Chamorro words now in complete disuse or completely unknown to Chamorros today.

The translation process required working simultaneously in three languages, Spanish, Chamorro and English, but by the end of this one year research project, theories regarding many of these unknown words have been formed. Working side by side and providing input and guidance in this endeavor was Leonard Iriarte (I Fanlalai'an Oral History Project), Fr. Eric Forbes (Capuchin Friary), Rosa Salas Palomo (UOG) and Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua (Chamorro Studies Program).

At A Glance
UOG MARC Presentation
The Garrido Manuscript: A Unique Glimpse of the Chamorro Language in 1798
by Dr. Carlos Madrid and Jeremy Cepeda.
6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2014
University of Guam, CLASS Lecture Hall

This presentation is free and open to the public and anyone with an interest in Chamorro language or Marianas History is encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact Dr. Carlos Madrid at cmadridap@hotmail.com or 735-2154/2153.