skwíx

name

Skwíx is the Halq’eméylem general term for ‘name’, a handy term to use in introductions and speeches …

Pronunciation

Skwíx sounds like this: skweesh, except instead of an ‘sh‘ it ends in the Halq’emeylem soft-x sound.

Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Elizabeth Phillips

Examples

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

• Tewát ta’ skwíx? – What is your name? (lit. Who is your name?).
• John tel skwix. – My name is John.
• Mary te skwixs thel tal. – Mary is the name of my mother.

Plural Form

As for many Halq’eméylem words, the elders do not usually use a special plural form. You can use skwíx for either name or names.

Related Words and Phrases

A number of related words contain the same root as skwíx, including:

• kwíxet – to name __ (this word also means to read __ ).
• xwélmexwelh skwíx – First Nation’s name, traditional name
• xwelítemelh skwíx – European name, white name