Comments on: Fired, Toasted, and Burnt

By: Ace Harmon

Ace Harmon — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:00:01 +0000

I’ve been informed by Denise that Chamorro has a strange pronunciation key. Unlike other languages, accents denote a lower pitch and less of an emphasis, though I’m still unsure how it works.

By: The Old Bear

The Old Bear — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:03:00 +0000

Your ambient lighted photograph of the small wayside chapel is a strongly evocative image. I returned to the picture several times. It leaves me pondering what this place is, who made it, who uses it and under what circumstances.

Santos Kilu’us. Chamorro is one of those interesting languages which seem to have adopted words from everyone who ever passed through the Marianas. “Santos Kilu’us” is Chamorro for the saints’ cross. Santos is clearly adopted from the Spanish but I am not sure of the origin of kilu’us. It sounds similar to the English word “cross” — but with the rhotic r-sound morphed into l. (Of course, the Castillian Spanish would pronouce the z in “cruz” more like a th sound and not as the English buzz, so the Spanish connection may be there.)

Language and religion spread on the tradewinds.

By: Jess

Jess — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:44:22 +0000

I think that Walter should stick
You really do have a SLIGHT resemblance to John Goodman. Or maybe by the time you get back you won’t, since you’re losing weight like a madman.

By: Van

Van — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:27:24 +0000

I think I prefer Santa Claus to Jesus (I’ve gotten both). Though Rip Van Winkle is probably the celebrity reference I like the best. My current favorite nickname (used exclusively by a cute bartender at Hapa) is Vanimal.

Of course, I suspect that Santa is really Odin in disguise.