Glossary
Glossary of Nuu-chah-nulth Terms: Barclay Sound (West) Dialect
This glossary of terms in a non-exhaustive list of Nuu-chah-nulth words used by the TNG. Through our language revitalization efforts, we have committed to using international phonetics when spelling NCC words. We recognize there are different dialects and spellings used by other Nations, and that spelling may change slightly over time as we gain a deeper understanding of spoken sounds. The purpose of this list is to ensure we are consistent throughout the TNG as we work to include more language and cultural practices in all government activities as envisioned in the 2021-24 Strategic Plan.
ʕaʔiiḥpit – advisor to the taayii
čaamata – second chief
c̓iqaa – prayer, chant
ciqḥsii – speaker for the chief
čuu – now, let’s go, bye
čuuč – plural čuu, talking to more than person
čamas – sweets, tastes good
ḥaaḥuułi – the chiefly territories of the chief
hac̓aaqis – Stuart Bay
ḥaw̓iiḥ – plural of ḥaw̓ił
ḥaw̓ił – chief, noble
ḥakum– woman for high rank (chief’s wife, family)
hišukma c̓awaak – everything is one
hišukʷin c̓awaak – we are one with the earth, the air, the sea, etc.
ʔiisaak – respect
m̓aʔaquuʔa – Macoah
mamałn̓i – white person
maatmałn̓i – plural for white person
masčim – people who make up the community, citizens
m̓ukʷaqis – pebbly beach (and street name in Macoah for crescent in field)
nuučaan̓uł – Nuu-chah-nulth
taayii– hereditary chief
taayii ḥaw̓ił – highest ranking chief
t̓iick̓in – thunderbird (and name of main street in Macoah)
ƛ̓eekoo– thank you (used for ceremonial purposes)
ʔuušy̓akšiƛeʔic – thank you (everyday use)
ƛ̓ichuuł – This rock of about 15 m height is a landmark of light colour between Toquaht Bay and Stuart Bay. It used to be the boundary marker between t̓uk̓ʷaaʔatḥ and yuułuʔiłʔatḥ
qwaaʔaƛin – how we are one
t̓iit̓skiisup – late taayii Bert Mack
t̓uk̓ʷaaʔatḥ – Toquaht people
t̓uk̓ʷaaʔatḥiic hišimyiły̓ak – Toquaht Gathering Place (name of new community building)
t̓uk̓ʷaaʔatḥiic ƛuułsituʔap – Toquaht’s Wastewater Treatment plant
ʔuuʔaałuk– look after, care for
wiicackuum – Chief Anne Mack’s name
witwaak – warriors, responsible for security
yakawaʔaḥ – čaamata Kevin Mack’s name
yuułuʔiłʔatḥ – Ucluelet First Nation people
ʔapłckʷii – smoked dried fish
*This list is managed by the language coordinator. All requests for additions and modifications must flow through the language coordinator.