Sléxwelh is the Halq’eméylem word for ‘canoe’‘.
Pronunciation
Sléxwelh sounds like SLUCK-wuth, except that:
- Instead of a CK you say the Halq’eméylem soft-x sound, here with rounded lips (xw).
- The final sound is not a th, but the Halq’eméylem hissy-l (lh). The lh is like a regular l, but made with more friction, and no vibration in the throat.
Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Elizabeth Phillips
Plural form
Sléxwelh has a special plural form, like this: slexwléxwelh – canoes (audio here).
slexwléxwelh
Elders make this type of plural by doubling (‘reduplicating’) part of the word (usually ignoring an s– at the start). In this case the first lexw becomes lexwlexw.
Related words
Sléxwelh is related to a number of other words, including:
- slexwelháwtxw – canoe shed (the –awtxw ending marks buildings and rooms)
- sléxwelhmet – to raid in a canoe (the -met ending here marks an action directed towards someone or something)
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