Halkomelem
/ˌhælkoʊˈmɛləm/noun
Halkomelem is a Coast Salish language continuum traditionally spoken by Indigenous communities in southwestern British Columbia.
Did you know?“Halkomelem” is not the community’s single original self-name; it is an English convention associated with several related varieties, including Hul’qumi’num’, Halq’emeylem, and hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-contact period
Coast Salish
Hul’qumi’num’
“A traditional Indigenous name associated especially with the Island and Cowichan-area variety of the language continuum.”
Pre-contact period
Coast Salish
Halq’emeylem
“A traditional Indigenous name associated especially with the upriver Fraser Valley variety.”
Pre-contact period
Coast Salish
hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓
“A traditional Indigenous name associated especially with the downriver Fraser-area variety.”
19th–20th Century
English
Halkomelem
“An English umbrella term used by scholars and institutions for these closely related Coast Salish varieties.”
Modern English
English
Halkomelem
“A language continuum with three commonly recognized varieties, revitalized and taught by several Indigenous communities in British Columbia.”
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