slhá:lí

woman

Slhá:lí is the Halq’eméylem word for ‘woman’ …

Pronunciation

• Slhá:lí sounds like SLALL-ee, except that the first l is hissy.
• The hissy-l sound (lh) is similar to a regular l, but it is made with more friction, and no vibration in the throat.
• Some speakers also have somewhat raised pitch on the second vowel (í).  That is why the dictionary writes it with an accent.

Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Elizabeth Phillips

Plural Form

Slhá:lí has as special plural form, like this: slhellhá:lí – women (audio here).

This type of plural is formed by doubling (‘reduplicating’) the first part of the word.

Related words

Here are some words related to slhá:lí:

• slhelhliyó:llh – baby girl (the ending -ó:llh refers to babies, offspring)
• slhálhlí – little woman, ladybug