Courtesy of University of Victoria.

By Veronica Beltran

revitalizing indigenous languages

UVIC helping keep Hul’q’umi’num language alive

Mar 30, 2020 | 12:20 PM

VICTORIA—The University of Victoria (UVIC) is attempting to keep the Hul’q’umi’num’, Coast Salish language alive as few first-language speakers of the exist and the difficulty of learning is high.

UVIC professor Sonya Bird leads a team of linguists using modern technologies to help learners of tPethe language improve their fluency in what is believed to be one of the most complex languages in the world.

According to Bird the Hul’q’umi’num’ language has 37 consonants, 24 of which do not occur in the English language, making the authentic pronunciation of words difficult for second language learners.

“Our research is showing us what features of Hul’q’umi’num’ pronunciation are most challenging for learners, and how best to overcome these challenges. Our project meets an urgent need for resources to support language revitalization efforts.”
— UVic linguist Sonya Bird

Kwa’mutsun Elder Ruby Peter, helps teach pronunciation to the students; along with the help of technologies such as an ultrasound wand which is placed under Peter’s chin in order to capture an image—which is transmitted to a large screen showing how her tongue moves when she pronounces certain words.

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In order to better learn the language students wear headphones and compare acoustic waves they made saying certain words, to those made my Elders.

Students also use a practice known as palatography where their tongues are painted black with charcoal, which helps reveal where the tongue presses against the palate— another way to see the pronunciation of tricky sounds.

According Bird students understand that they have a limited time to learn from Elders and that the responsiblity of carrying the language has fallen on them.