puppy
Sqwíqwemay is the Halq’eméylem word for ‘puppy’ …
Pronunciation
- Sqwíqwemay sounds like SKWEE-kwuh-may, except that instead of a k you say the Halq’eméylem q sound.
- To say the q, touch the back of your tongue to your uvula. In this case, the q is also rounded, so with your lips slightly stuck out (qw).
Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Elizabeth Phillips
Related word
Here are some words related to sqwíqwemay:
- sqwemá:y – dog
- sqwéqwemay – lots of small dogs, puppies
- sqwíqwemeyòllh – little puppy (the –ó:llh ending refers to offspring)
Note: elders created sqwíqwemay from the base word sqwemá:y, by a regular process called ‘diminutive’ formation. The diminutive form means ‘little’, and you create it by (a) doubling the first syllable (but not counting the initial s), and (b) making the first vowel an i.
Plural Form
As noted above, you can use sqwéqwemay to refer to a group of small dogs or puppies.
You could also say ye sqwíqwemay for the puppies.
No comments yet.