On Friday, July 25th, members of the lab were joined by Mandy Jimmie, John Haugen, and Rhiannon to test out ultrasound imaging for distinguishing tongue shape and movement of different sounds in nɬeʔkepmxcín.

We focused on comparing velar vs.  uvular sounds and saw noticeable differences between the two in different word positions. We hope to be able to use this technology in the future to record fluent speakers of nɬeʔkepmxcín, giving learners the ability to see how sounds are produced.

This visit wouldn’t have been possible with out the help of the UBC Integrated Speech Research Lab and, in particular, research assistant Marija Cvetkovic.

In May, a few lab members were able to get a quick trip to Merritt in!  First they met with speakers kʷaɬtəzétkʷu and Mandy Jimmie at the Coldwater School, doing some language work together and listening to the students recite prayers about the Four Food Chiefs.  Later they had a chance to meet up with kʷaɬtəzétkʷu again for coffee and a bit more language work.  It’s always great to get to see one another in person!

UBC students Bruce Oliver (L) and Ella Hannon (R) catch up with kʷaɬtəzétkʷu (centre) at Valley Graze café in Merritt.

In March, a group of lab members went on a  trip to Lytton and Merritt.

We stopped in with speaker Bev Phillips in Lytton, asking questions for ongoing projects about the sounds and grammar of the language as well as recording a story she had written.

In Merritt, we had lunch with speakers kʷaɬtəzétkʷu Bernice Garcia and c̓úʔsinek Marty Aspinall at the western end of Nicola Lake. We shared canned salmon, sandwiches, fruits, and vegetables, while KBG and CMA shared stories with us in English and nɬeʔkepmxcín.

On the final day of our trip, we had a big meeting with the speakers we work with and members of Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly, where we talked about the conversations that have been recorded, transcribed, glossed, and translated, and how we might go about publishing them. 

Lab members with kʷaɬtəzétkʷu Bernice Garcia at Nicola Lake. (L-R: Cayla Smith, Ella Hannon, Bruce Oliver, kʷaɬtəzétkʷu Bernice Garcia, and Reed Steiner).

In October 2024, a few lab members headed back to nɬeʔképmx territory to work with some of our language consultants.  In Merritt, they recorded more conversational speech with c̓úʔsinek and kʷaɬtəzétkʷu.  This is part of our ongoing project to gather and share conversations and stories in the language, funded by an ISI grant from UBC.  The work took place at CNA headquarters and at Coldwater School — thanks as always to our hosts!  And, of course, our gratitude goes to the speakers for sharing their language with us.

Some students along for the trip made the most of the journey by also recording some Secwepemctsín speakers in Skeetchestn and Williams Lake!

Lab member Ella Hannon gets to work in-person with speaker c̓úʔsinek Marty Aspinall.

Two beautiful views of Merritt from Sander’s runs!

In June 2024, there was another trip to the Interior for a few lab members who couldn’t make the spring trip.

First, we stopped in Lytton, BC to see speaker Bev Phillips.  We got to visit together, record a story, and do some targeted elicitation (demonstratives! embedded questions! evidentials!).

As usual, we also headed to Merritt, BC, to see speakers C̓úʔsinek Marty Aspinall and Kʷaɬtəzétkʷu Bernice Garcia.  This marks our first elicitation session in a sushi restaurant.

Thanks everyone — until next time!

Student Brent Hall records another original story from Bev Phillips.

Student Cayla Smith brings hard-hitting questions about evidentials for Bev Phillips.

Student Reed Steiner investigates demonstratives with Bev Phillips.

Professor Lisa Matthewson gets to the bottom of embedded questions with Bev Phillips.