qwelhíxel

shoe

Qwelhí:xel is the Halq’eméylem word for ‘shoe’. …

Pronunciation

• Qwelhí:xel sounds like kwuh-LISH-yull, except that (i) the first sound is a q, not a k, (ii) the l is ‘hissy’ (lh), and (iii) for the x in the last syllable (xel) you say the Halq’emeylem soft-x sound.
• To make the Halq’eméylem q sound, touch the back of your tongue to your uvula (further back than for k). This q is also rounded (qw), so stick your lips out slightly.
• To make the hissy-l (lh), say an l, but then make it hissy like a snake, with no vibration in the throat.
• To make the soft-x, touch the top of your tongue to your palate, and create gentle friction.

Note: many speakers do not say the first vowel.  They just say qwlhí:xel. Both pronunciations are correct.

Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Elizabeth Phillips

Plural

The plural form for qwelhí:xel is like this: qwellhí:xel –shoes. It’s tricky to hear, but in the plural, there is an extra l before the lh. Audio for the plural form is here.

Related words

Here are some words related to qwelhí:xel:

• qwelhlixélem – put one’s shoes on (the –em ending marks it as a verb)
• qwlhá:y – driftwood (some shoes may once have been made from driftwood)

The –xel ending that you see in qwelhí:xel appears on many words related to the foot and the lower leg.  For example, compare  qwémxel – ankle (literally ‘lump on the foot’), or lhékw’xel – to trip, stumble (literally ‘to hook one’s foot’).