Squamish language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Squamish |
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| Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim | ||||
| Pronunciation | IPA: [sqʷχʷoʔməʃ snit͡ʃim] | |||
| Native to | Canada | |||
| Region | British Columbia | |||
| Ethnicity | 4,280 Squamish people (2018, FPCC) | |||
| Native speakers | 1 (2014, FPCC)e18 | |||
| Language family |
Salishan
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| Writing system | Latin (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh alphabet) | |||
| Official status | ||||
| Official language in | Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw | |||
Squamish Territory is shown on the map.
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Squamish (pronounced SKWOM-ish) is a special language spoken by the Squamish people. They live in the Pacific Northwest, in what is now southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The language is called Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim by the Squamish people themselves. The word sníchim means "language."
Squamish is part of a larger group of languages called Coast Salish languages. It is closely related to languages like Sechelt and Halkomelem. The Squamish language is mostly spoken in their home communities. These areas include Squamish, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver.
Contents
Studying the Squamish Language
People have been studying the Squamish language for a long time. This research helps to understand and preserve it.
Early Records of Squamish
The first records of Squamish words were made in the 1880s. A German anthropologist named Franz Boas started collecting them. Later, another anthropologist, Charles Hill-Tout, wrote down some Squamish sentences and stories.
In the 1930s, anthropologist Homer Barnett worked with a Squamish elder named Jimmy Frank. They gathered information about the traditional Squamish culture. This included many Squamish words.
Grammar and Writing System
In the 1950s, a Dutch linguist named Aert H. Kuipers created the first full grammar of the Squamish language. A grammar explains how a language works. His work was published in a book called The Squamish Language in 1967.
A special writing system for Squamish was developed in 1968. It uses a modified Latin alphabet. This system helps people read and write the language. The first Squamish dictionary was published in 2011. It helps people learn the meanings of words.
Saving and Using the Language
Many people are working hard to keep the Squamish language alive. They want to make sure it is spoken for many years to come.
Official Language and Endangered Status
In 1990, the leaders of the Squamish people made a big decision. They declared Squamish to be their official language. This helped get money and support to save the language.
However, in 2010, experts said the language was "critically endangered." This means it was almost gone. At that time, only about 10 people could speak it fluently.
Efforts to Revive Squamish
Many programs have started to teach Squamish to new generations. In 2011, a special teaching method called "Where Are Your Keys?" was used. This method helps people learn languages quickly.
In 2013, a Squamish festival was held. It aimed to inspire more people to learn the language. Organizers wanted parents to speak Squamish at home, not just in schools. They gave families lists of common phrases to use every day. This helps reinforce what children learn in school.
Learning Programs Today
Today, there are 449 active language learners of Squamish. This number is growing! In 2014, Capilano University started a Squamish-language program. Students can learn about the language and culture there.
Simon Fraser University also has a Squamish Language Academy. Students can study the language for two years. These programs are very important. They help more people become fluent speakers each year.
How Squamish Sounds
Every language has its own unique sounds. Squamish has special sounds for its vowels and consonants.
Vowel Sounds
Squamish has four main vowel sounds. These are like the "ee" in "see," the "ah" in "father," the "oo" in "moon," and the "uh" in "about." These sounds can change slightly depending on the words they are in.
Consonant Sounds
Squamish has many consonant sounds. Some of them are similar to English, like "p," "t," and "s." But it also has sounds that are not found in English. For example, it has "ejective" sounds. These are made by pushing air out quickly from the throat.
Special Sounds and Symbols
One special sound in Squamish is the glottal stop. This is the sound you hear in the middle of "uh-oh." In Squamish writing, it is often shown with the number "7."
Some consonants can also be "glottalized." This means they have a glottal stop sound added to them. For example, the "m" sound can become "m̓."
How Squamish is Written
The Squamish language uses a special alphabet based on Latin letters. This helps people write down the sounds of the language.
Writing Vowels and Consonants
The writing system uses letters like 'a', 'e', 'i', and 'u' for the vowel sounds. For consonants, it uses letters like 'p', 't', 's', and 'm'. It also uses special combinations of letters. For example, 'ch' for a sound like in "church" and 'lh' for a special "l" sound.
Some letters have an apostrophe (like p̓ or m̓). This shows that the sound is "ejective" or "glottalized." The number '7' is used for the glottal stop sound.
Stress Marks
Sometimes, a vowel will have an accent mark above it (like á, é, í, or ú). This mark tells you to say that vowel louder and a little longer. It's like putting emphasis on that part of the word.
How Squamish Words Work
Squamish words are built in interesting ways. They can be changed to show different meanings.
Word Types
Squamish has two main types of words: "clitics" and "full words." Clitics are small words that attach to other words. Full words are like nouns and verbs that stand on their own.
Building Words
Squamish uses prefixes and suffixes to change words. A prefix is added to the beginning of a word. A suffix is added to the end. For example, adding 's-' to a verb can turn it into a noun. If 't'iq' means "to be cold," then 's-t'iq' means "the cold."
Repeating Parts of Words
Squamish often repeats parts of words. This is called "reduplication." It can be used to show different things. For example, it might show that there is more than one of something. It can also show how an action happens.
How Squamish Sentences Work
The order of words in a sentence is important. In Squamish, sentences usually start with the action.
Sentence Order
Squamish sentences often follow a Verb-Subject-Object order. This means the action comes first. Then comes the person or thing doing the action. Finally, the person or thing receiving the action comes last.
For example, instead of saying "The boy eats the apple," a Squamish sentence might be more like "Eats the boy the apple."
See also
Images for kids
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Squamish Territory is shown on the map.
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Squamish is classified as Critically Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger.
