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xá:ysem

illustration for 'ant'

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

 

illustration for 'ants'

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:ysemthe ants (ye means the or a, and you use it only with plurals).


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