Scowlitz
Sq’éwlets is the Halq’eméylem name for ‘Scowlitz’ Literally it means “turn of river at the bottom of mountain” .
Pronunciation
Sq’éwlets sounds like SCOW-litts, except that:
- The second sound is the Halq’eméylem q, made at your uvula.
- This q is also popped (ejective), which you make by combining it with a catch in your throat (glottal stop).
Audio: Elizabeth Herrling
Origins
Sq’éwlets is based on the root q’éw. Q’éw does not appear as a word by itself, but it occurs in many words related to turning or going around. For example:
- q’ewílem – go round a bend
- Sq’éwqel – Seabird Island (the ‘bend’ here was the route around the upper end of the island)
- Sq’éwqé:yl ~ Sq’éwqí:l – Scowkale
The -lets ending in Sq’éwlets refers to the ‘bottom‘ or ‘rear end’. This ending also occurs in many words, for example:
- shxw’áthelets – bottom
- tl’epláts – bottom of a creek
- Th’émexwlats – tail end of Seabird Island
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