Top Menu

Archive | Sounds

Hard-x (X̲)

X̲ is the Halq’eméylem ‘hard-x’ sound. You make this sound by creating heavy friction with the back of your tongue against your uvula (the thing that dangles at the back of your throat). Linguists call this sound a ‘uvular fricative’.

Continue Reading 0
Illustration of tongue position for sound "x" ('soft x' sound)

Consonant “x” (soft x)

Video courtesy of UBC Linguistics Dept., used with permission. Examples xálh – road, path   xá:ysem – ant   skwíx – name   Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Elizabeth Phillips Pronunciation The Halq’eméylem “x” (the ‘soft x’) sounds a lot like the “sh” sound—but “x” is made quite differently. For “x” the tongue touches the roof of […]

Continue Reading 0
Illustration of tongue position for sound "sh"

Consonant “sh”

  Video courtesy UBC linguistics department, used with permission Pronunciation The Halq’eméylem “sh” sound is easy to say:  it’s the same as the “sh” sound in English words like ship or shape. You make the sound like this: Tongue touches the top front of the mouth (near the little fleshy bump behind your upper teeth, but a […]

Continue Reading 0

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes