tsxwikw’

grey

Tsxwíkw’ is the Halq’eméylem word for ‘grey’ ….

Pronunciation

• Tsxwíkw’ sounds like TS-SHWEEKW, except that instead of SH you say the Halq’emeyelm soft-x, and the kw at the end is popped.
• For the soft-x, you create the friction on the roof of your mouth, towards the back.  See here for a detailed guide.
• For the popped sounds, you combine the consonant with a catch-in-the-throat (glottal stop) sound.
• Some elders, including Elizabeth Herrling, say the first sound as TSH, rather than TS.

Audio: Elizabeth Herrling

Examples

Here are some examples of how you can use tsxwíkw’:

• Q. Selchí:momex tetha? – What color is that?
• A. Tsxwíkw’ tetha! – That’s grey!

tsxwíkw’ shxw’athtel

• Q. Selchí:momex tetha shxw’áthtel? – What color is that cloud?
• A. Tsxwíkw’ tetha shxw’áthtel! – That cloud is grey!