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pí:txel

illustration for pí:txel ('salamander, lizard')

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:txellizards (with partial doubling of the start of the word)
  • Others say pelí:txellizards (with an inserted l)

Audio for both versions of the plural is here.

You can also just say ye pí:txelthe 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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