éx̲wtel

broom

Ex̲wtel is the Halq’eméylem word for ‘broom’.

Pronunciation

• Ex̲wtel sounds like UCK-tull, except that instead of a CK you say the Halq’eméylem hard-x.
• To make the hard-x, you create friction by touching the back of your tongue to your uvula.

Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Elizabeth Phillips

Plural Form

For the plural for this word, you can use this word: ólex̲wtel – brooms (audio here).

You can also just say ye éx̲wtel – the brooms (ye means the or a, and you use it only with plurals).

Related words

to sweep (it)

Though the vowels are a little different, éx̲wtel comes from the same root as the verb íx̲wet – to sweep (it).

The -tel ending marks tools and devices, so literally éx̲wtel means sweeping-device.