29 Jan 2009

Only 15-percent of CNMI population speak native languages

2:35 pm on 29 January 2009

A group in Northern Marianas are seeking funds in order to conduct a study into the survival of their languages after a 2003 study suggested only 15-percent of the population use the languages.

The executive director of the Chamorro Carolinian Language Policy Commission, Dave Omar told the Saipan Tribune that 15 percent of students in public schools can speak Chamoroo or Carolinian.

He says the commission finds this result alarming and hopes it can sought federal funds in order for it to conduct another study into the matter.

Mr Omar said the follow-up study will be the basis of actions by the commission to prevent the declining use of indigenous languages.