ant
Xá:ysem is the Halq’eméylem word for ‘ant’.
Pronunciation
- Xá:ysem sounds like SHYEY-sum, except that instead of a sh the first sound is the Halq’eméylem soft-x.
- To make the soft-x, you touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth and create soft friction.
- See here for more information about making the soft-x.
Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Elizabeth Phillips
Plural Form
ye xá:ysem
As with many words in the language, the Elders do not have a special plural form for xá:ysem.
But if you want to talk about ants, you can say ye xá:ysem– the ants (ye means the or a, and you use it only with plurals).
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