salamander, lizard
Pí:txel is the Halq’eméylem word for ‘salamander’. Elders also use the word for ‘lizard’….
Pronunciation
- Pí:txel sounds like PETE-shill, except instead of a sh you say the Halq’emeylem soft-x sound.
- To make the soft-x sound, you touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth (palate).
Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Elizabeth Phillips
Plural forms
Elders give different plural form for this word:
- Some say pepí:txel – lizards (with partial doubling of the start of the word)
- Others say pelí:txel – lizards (with an inserted l)
Audio for both versions of the plural is here.
You can also just say ye pí:txel – the lizards
Notes
The Shxweli elders identifed pí:txel most strongly with lizard. Galloway’s dictionary says the term is for a small red or brown “lizard”, western red-backed salamander, and possibly other species.
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