How about substituting the word Dhamma without changing what the author relates?

Yes, what you wrote above seems to work in context of what she was communicating.

Dhamma is one of those words which is used in a variey of ways; it doesn't have just a single meaning.  I know a Burmese woman and when she speaks to the resident monks, they talk.  When they are done talking, she says, "dhamma." This sometimes goes on repeatedly, with much discourse given and many "dhammas" in reply.  In this context, it seems to simply acknowledge an agreement with what was said, as well as a show of respect to the monks.

When I come across the word in Buddhist literature, I try to figure out what it means in the overall context of what is being communicated.  Otherwise, it can become unnecessarily confusing.