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For this section, we will learn how to make the sounds of the Secwépemc alphabet. With each letter are some sample words to practice saying out loud. It allows you to grow your phonetics as well as phonics. As we add more content for our readers, you will continue on your language comprehension.
The goal is to master the alphabet. In order to do that, you will need to explain how to make the sound of each letter. So, keep practicing how to say it and keep in mind that you will have to teach someone else how to do it. Find a way to explain it to children, other learners, or even yourself.
In this segment, we'll delve into the fundamental Secwépemc vowels. These vowels, e, i, u, a, and o, each possess a distinct character and sound. We present them in a specific order: e, i, u, a, and o. Our examples will exclusively feature consonants that share similarities with those found in Seme7tsín, with the exception of the "s" sound, which can be pronounced either as "s" or "sh".
When encountering multiple vowels within a word, the use of a stress marker (é, í, ú, á, ó) is essential. This marker signifies emphasis on the stressed vowel, creating a distinctive pronunciation. In cases where only one vowel exists in a word, a stress marker isn't necessary.
For clarity and convenience, all letters within the pronunciation guide will be displayed in lowercase.
In this section, we'll explore the nuances of these five foundational vowels and their interactions with consonants. Additionally, we'll conclude this section with instances of the "ts" combination, offering a comprehensive understanding of Secwépemc phonetics.
The vowel e when stressed (é) is pronounced like the vowel in English “bet”. When unstressed, it sounds like the e in “problem”.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ə | nes | to go along |
| elkst | to work | |
| kwewt | drift downstream | |
| skwest | name | |
| é | éyens | s/he pays him |
| ɛ / æ | cqét̓ye7ten | baby swing |
| kenkéknem | black bear | |
| llén̓e | to give up, or forget purposefully | |
| mé7e | yes | |
| Secwépemc | Shuswap person |
The vowel i is pronounced as "ee" as in "feet".
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| i | wist | high (e.g. structure, building) |
| yist | camp overnight | |
| sníne | Great Gray Owl | |
| pyin | now | |
| penmíns | s/he finds it |
The vowel u is pronounced as "u" in "food".
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| u | mus | four |
| ust | to dive | |
| kúpem | to push | |
| héhu | to yawn | |
| kéwku | large sagebrush |
The vowel a is pronounced as "a" in "father".
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| a | sal | cricket |
| kwalt | yellow | |
| palt | smudged | |
| welánk | stomach | |
| pálpelt | stubborn |
The vowel o is pronounced as the "o" in "not". It is found in very few words.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ɔ | cmólem | to plant potatoes |
| kóso | pig | |
| lop | rope | |
| mólens | s/he puts them down | |
| nóyens | s/he bends it |
Secwépemc features consonant sounds that are analogous to their English counterparts, such as h, k, l, m, n, p, q, s, t, w, and y. These familiar sounds should pose no difficulties for learners, as their pronunciation aligns closely with the way they are spoken in English.
Building upon the consonant sounds explored in Section A, Section B introduces seven distinct Secwépemc sounds that are absent in Seme7tsín. These unique sounds are represented by the lettersc, r, ll, 7, q, x, g,andts.Additionally, certain letters are combined with the letter "w", resulting in novel sounds:cw, qw, xw, gw,andkw.This section provides a comprehensive understanding of Secwépemc phonetics, showcasing the richness and diversity of the language's consonant repertoire.
The consonant c is a fricative, made with the tongue in the same position as for pronouncing k but you allow the air to flow through. If you can imitate the way a cat “hisses”, you can pronounce c.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| x | clem | to bite |
| cyénem | to go around | |
| cméye | housefly | |
| kelc | hand | |
| metéc | you fed him |
The consonant cw is pronounced like c but with lip rounding.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| xʷ | cwesét | to travel |
| cwelpílc | to turn around | |
| púcwem | to blow | |
| sícwens | s/he spills it | |
| tmicw | land |
The consonant r is a sound that is the voiced version of c, similar to how the English z is the voiced version of s. DO NOT pronounce it like the English r! They are two completely different sounds.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ɣ / ɰ | répelc | to go up |
| relrált | strong (person) | |
| r7al | evening | |
| tsrep | to burn | |
| yerí7 | that one |
The consonant ll is pronounced like the English th and l at the same time. It is also a fricative sound made by blowing air out the sides of your teeth.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ɬ | ell | and |
| llewt | back | |
| llépens | s/he forgets it | |
| kellés | three | |
| stsíllen | food |
The 7 is a stop sound produced by completely stopping the airflow at the vocal cords. It is the pause in the middle of the exclamation “uh-oh” in Seme7tsín, so it could be written like “uh7oh”.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ʔ | cw7it | many |
| mé7e | yes | |
| kyé7e | grandmother | |
| spéke7 | glove | |
| ts7ecw | glad, happy |
The q is a stop sound that is like the k but it is pronounced further back in the throat. One way to practice pronouncing the q sound is to stick a pencil in your mouth close to the back of your throat and try pronouncing the k sound and you will be making the Secwepemctsín q sound.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| q | qé7tse | father |
| qné7e | great grandmother | |
| piq | white | |
| tsíqem | to dig | |
| speqpéq | berries, fruit |
The qw is pronounced like the q but with lip rounding.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| qʷ | qwets | warm |
| qwílenst | to lie | |
| piqw | to look | |
| tsiqw | red | |
| lecélqwem | handsome |
The x is a fricative sound pronounced like the c but further back in the throat, just like the q is the “throaty” version of the k sound.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| χ | lexlíxkst | finger |
| píxem | to hunt | |
| sqéxe | dog | |
| xéne | to get hurt | |
| xyum | big |
The xw is pronounced like the x but with lip rounding.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| χʷ | xwent | fast |
| xwexwéyt | all | |
| íxwem | to sweep | |
| nexwéyt | empty | |
| texwtúxwt | straight, correct |
The g is like the “aaaa” sound one makes when you visit the doctor and they're checking your tonsils, but very quickly.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ʕ | gep | dusk |
| geyép | angry | |
| legúp | to disappear | |
| mégcen | moon | |
| yegmín | Low-bush Blueberry |
The gw is pronounced like the g sound, but with lip rounding.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ʕʷ | gwesgwést | sunny |
| legwentés | s/he hides it | |
| ll7egw | to be in the process of melting | |
| stsugw | stripe | |
| yegwílc | to exert one's self, do one's best |
The ts is pronounced as ts in “bits” or as ch in “rich”. It's a single sound in Secwepemctsín and occurs in many words.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| tʃ | tsimt | to melt |
| tsilkst | five | |
| éytsens | s/he answers her/him | |
| setsínem | to sing | |
| stsmelt | children of one family |
The kw is pronounced similarly to the qu in “queen”. It's a sound combination of the sound k plus lip rounding, and this can occur at the end of words unlike in Seme7tsín.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| kʷ | kwens | s/he takes it |
| kwewt | to float | |
| kwlékwle | grass | |
| súkwe | sugar | |
| tsukw | that’s all |
Sounds in Secwepemctsín often exist in both plain and glottalized (hard) forms, known as "explosive", "popped", or "ejective" sounds. These sounds are produced by building slight pressure in the mouth before releasing the sound. The glottalized sounds encountered in Secwepemctsín include p̓, t̓, ts̓, k̓, k̓w, q̓, and q̓w.
The glottalized consonant p̓ is pronounced with an explosive quality, as in the sound "p" but with added emphasis. This sound is created by building pressure in the mouth before releasing the sound.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| p' | ép̓em | to wipe |
| líp̓ens | s/he pinches it | |
| píp̓xsem | to bloom | |
| p̓úsmen | heart | |
| sp̓em | to hit, whip |
The glottalized consonant k̓ is pronounced with an explosive quality, similar to the sound "k" but with added emphasis. This sound is produced by building pressure in the mouth before releasing the sound.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| k' | cík̓em | to miss a target |
| k̓elúcw | sunset | |
| nek̓ú7 | one | |
| skék̓i7 | spider | |
| tsk̓élen | woodtick |
The glottalized consonant k̓w can be pronounced with an explosive quality, similar to the sound "kw". This sound combines the glottalized sound "k̓" with lip rounding.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| kʷ' | ék̓wen | fish eggs |
| cúlk̓wens | s/he folds it | |
| k̓winc | how many? | |
| k̓wsicw | goose | |
| suk̓wt | blown away |
The glottalized consonant ts̓ can be an explosive version of "ts" like in the word "cats" or the "zz" in "pizza". In the north, it can be pronounced like an explosive "ts" which is similar to the English "ch".
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ts’ | síts̓em | blanket |
| ts̓i7 | deer | |
| ts̓alt | bitter | |
| qwets̓t | full | |
| wíts̓ens | s/he chops it |
The glottalized consonant t̓ can be pronounced like an explosive "t", but you release air on the sides of your tongue, creating a "t̓ + ll" sound that can be compared to a clicking sound.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| tɬ’ | cwít̓ens | s/he cuts it |
| mét̓ens | s/he mixes it | |
| st̓emkélt | daughter | |
| t̓éne | ear | |
| qít̓em | to angle (fish with a rod) |
The glottalized consonant q̓ can be produced by building up slight pressure and releasing the q sound with a click.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| q’ | ctéq̓em | to cross over (water) |
| meq̓ | full (from eating) | |
| pelq̓ílc | to return | |
| qéq̓llem | to braid | |
| tsq̓ellp | Douglas Fir |
The glottalized consonant q̓w can be produced by rounding your lips and making the q̓ sound.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| qʷ’ | líq̓wem | to sprinkle or spill water |
| slleq̓wqín̓ | frog | |
| tq̓wmut | to climb (a tree) | |
| tsq̓weg | cheap | |
| úq̓wi | sibling of same sex |
For the subsequent set of glottalized sounds in Secwepemctsín, they are categorized as glottal stop letters, distinct from 'explosive' sounds. This indicates a full stop in airflow immediately after initiating the sound.
The glottalized consonant m̓ can be pronounced by initiating the "m" sound then immediately stopping airflow.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| m' | ctsetém̓ | valley |
| stém̓i? | what? | |
| sk̓wimém̓elt | baby, toddler | |
| tsék̓wsem̓ | put on the light | |
| túm̓e | aunt (mother’s sister) |
The glottalized consonant n̓ can be pronounced by initiating the "n" sound then immediately stopping airflow.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| n' | c.wén̓wen | morning |
| estp̓en̓lléxw | outside | |
| p̓elén̓ | bark | |
| sekúsen̓t | star | |
| xqwllin̓t | cradle |
The glottalized consonant l̓ can be pronounced by initiating the "l" sound then immediately stopping airflow.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| l’ | kék̓mel̓c | to sneak along |
| p̓e7íl̓e | to carry a child on ones back | |
| Secwepemcúl̓ecw | Shuswap land | |
| (s)ts̓íl̓emc | birthmark | |
| twíl̓ke | fringe |
The glottalized consonant r̓ can be pronounced by initiating the "r" sound then immediately stopping airflow.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ɣ’ / ɰ’ | pér̓elkwens | s/he cools off the water |
| tsecrér̓ples | upright | |
| t.sér̓ens | s/he shakes it off |
The glottalized consonant w̓ can be pronounced by initiating the "w" sound then immediately stopping airflow.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| w’ | cwe7sqléw̓ | rich |
| klléw̓sem | to divide or split up | |
| qets̓wéw̓ye | chipmunk | |
| q̓wmiw̓s | wild (about animals) | |
| sqlew̓ | money | |
| t7emetéw̓s | to ride (about one) |
The glottalized consonant y̓ can be pronounced by initiating the "y" sound then immediately stopping airflow.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| y’ | k̓úy̓e | aunt (uncle’s wife) |
| llepsóy̓e | eyelashes | |
| skwi7éy̓e | doll | |
| tegwéy̓e | footrace | |
| tsuts̓wéy̓(e) | butterfly |
The glottalized consonant gw̓ can be pronounced by initiating the "gw" sound then immediately stopping airflow.
| IPA | Secwepemctsín | Seme7tsín |
|---|---|---|
| ʕʷ’ | ctsegwts̓úg̓wt | to leak (roof) |
| sc7ep̓yúg̓w | mashed blueberries | |
| syegwyég̓wten | belt | |
| tíg̓wke | ringer in a bell | |
| tyég̓wts̓ens | s/he wraps it up |
In some words, you will see a period in between letters to show that they are pronounced as separate sounds (i.e: t.s and ts, c.w and cw, ll and l.l).
| c.wén̓wen | morning |
| c.wíselc | to run |
| kíll.le7cwem | to clear land |
| k̓well.lúqwem̓ | to weed |
| t.sep̓úy̓e | to hit on the forehead |
In Secwepemctsín you will sometimes see consonants in groups of three or more in a word, more often than in English.
As a beginner learner you will tend to put a short vowel sound (e) in between each consonant. Practice pronouncing the consonant clusters with just the consonants and no vowels between.
| sitq̓t | day |
| k̓wséltkten | family |
| Tqeltkúkwpi7 | Creator |
| (s)kllékstmes | rain |
| ck̓wén̓llqten | garden |