Introduction
Secwepemctsín is a language foremost. It is not forbidden for non-Secwépemc people to speak it. The goal is to have people spread the language to have everyone treat it as a greeting in any other language. Hola, Bonjour, Allo, Adios, Bon nuit, Ni hao, Aloha, Privet, etc. If someone asks what you said, happily share your knowledge. Use the farewells in the same manner!
That said it is important to keep in mind who you are speaking to. If you are speaking to one person, acknowledge her presence. If you are speaking to a group of people, acknowledge everyone present. Traditionally, we recognize everyone’s presence by letting them know that they are acknowledged and important to us. Notice the difference between one person, using only “k” and speaking to many people using “kp”.
Learning Activities
Activity 1
These are the most common greetings and farewells. Follow the audio recording and practice the sounds of each word. Use them and do not be shy about greeting people in this matter.
Here are some common greetings and goodbyes.
Weyt-k
Hello (to one person)
Weyt-kp
Hello (to many people)
Tscwinúcw-k
I’m glad you made it through the night (traditional Secwepemc “good morning”)
Tscwinúcw-kp
I’m glad you all made it through the night.
Le7 te secwén̓wen
Good morning (literal translation from English to Secwepemctsín)
Le7 te sitq̓t
Good day
Le7 te sítest
Good evening
Me7 wíkstsen
See you
Me7 wíktlmen
See you all later
Ec k etícucw
Sleep well and good night (traditional “good night”)
Ec kp etícucw
Sleep well and good night all of you
Putúcw
Goodbye
Activity 2
Listen to the Secwépemc word and match it to the correct definition. Click the blue audio buttons to hear the Secwépemc words.