Sʰamala

- a, e, i, o, u                   

pronounced very much like Spanish.

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ɨ - the 6th vowel         

pronounced very much like the ‘u’ in the English word “put”

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c = ts                           

as in the word “cats”

 

Q= q                        

“q” is further back in the throat than regular “k”  (it’s not like the word “quack”)

 

š = “sh”                        

as in the word “shop”

 

tš = “ch”          

 

X = “x”                         

is raspy like the ‘j’ in the Spanish word “baja"

 

‘ = “glottal stop”         

This is pronounced like a catch in the throat as English “oh-oh” or the pronunciation of “t” in English “motley.”

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kiyaqlɨ’w i sʰamala (Our Sʰamala language) Made possible by ancestor Maria Solares; and the detailed notes and wax recordings of her stories, preserved by linguist John P. Harrington.

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Haku (hello)  

 

ka ščʰo ha paktinaʼ (Welcome/ General greeting.)

 

'alaxulapu (Santa Ynez)

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Good Morning

Snaxyit kascho        

 

Goodbye          

Kiwa’nan

 

Thank you        

Kaqinaš

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Mother              

xo’ni

 

Father               

kok’o

 

Child                 

taniw/č’ič’i

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