The world’s second most translated book after the Bible, the classic children’s book “The Little Prince” by Antoine De Saint-Exupery is now available in the CHamoru language.
The CHamoru language edition titled “I Dikkiki Na Prinsipi” was recently translated by Påle' Eric Forbes, the former Capuchin Superior for Guam and Hawaii. He’s also a prolific author fluent in CHamoru and English.
Forbes presented copies of the book to the Guam Department of Education during a press conference Thursday.
“The fact that it is now in CHamoru, not only for the sake for our school children in the classrooms, the fact that it is in CHamoru shows that our language is worthy,” he said.
He worked on the translation for four years during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. It wasn’t an easy feat translating the short novel.
Forbes shared there were times he was scratching his head for days trying to find the right words to describe words like “asteroid” or “decorum.”
“There were some unfamiliar terms in the CHamoru language I did translate because I found it easy to do that,” he explained. “For example, 'lamplighter'… was easy to do. But 'railway switchman?' You’re going to have ten CHamoru words to describe that one thing.”
About 1,600 free copies of the translated edition are expected to arrive at GDOE Tuesday afternoon. From there, the books will be sent to all 41 public schools as soon as possible. Charter and private schools may also receive copies.
“The idea that I’m coming from, and that the Board supports, is everything we can do to support the CHamoru language and culture in our community is really important,” GDOE Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson said. “I come from a background where I did other work with indigenous populations in the mainland. I see the complex relationship to language and culture. We can’t have them in separate environments.”
Forbes hopes to relay the message of the book to readers of all ages, that “even if you’re a grown up, have the heart of a child.”
“The essential things in life are not visible. They are seen with the heart and that’s what children do. And how much we need that in our world today,” he said.
The book was published by Glimpses Media and made possible through a grant from the Jean-Marc Probst Foundation.
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