Numbers in Halkomelem
Hul’q’umi’num’
Numbers in Halkomelem follow a vigesimal (base-20) system, which is common among many indigenous North American languages. Spoken by approximately 500 people on Vancouver Island and southwestern British Columbia, Halkomelem's counting system is unique in its combination of native words and borrowed terms for large numbers. The language's rich cultural history influences its numerical expressions, especially in traditional trade and ceremonies. The counting pattern involves specific words for 1 to 9, with tens formed by suffixing 'ulhshe’' to the root of the multiplier digit, and hundreds and thousands built through combinations of these elements. Understanding the numbers in Halkomelem reveals much about its speakers' worldview and linguistic structure.
Number system
Halkomelem uses a vigesimal system, where numbers are primarily built around multiples of twenty. Digits from one to nine are unique words: nuts’a’ (1), yuse’lu (2), lhihw (3), xu’athun (4), lhq’etsus (5), t’xum (6), tth’a’kwus (7), te’tsus (8), toohw (9). For example, 6 is t’xum, and 7 is tth’a’kwus. Tens are formed by suffixing 'ulhshe’' to the root of the digit: 30 is lhuhwulhshe’ (literally 3*10), and 40 is xuthunlhshe’ (4*10). The number 23 combines the ten 'tskw’ush' (20) with the unit 'lhihw' (3) as 'tskw’ush ‘i’ kw’ lhihw'. Hundreds are formed by stating the multiplier digit followed by 'nets’uwuts' (hundred): 300 is lhihw nets’uwuts, and 108 is nets’uwuts ‘i’ kw’ te’tsus (1 hundred, 8). Compound numbers like 78 are built as 'tth’ukwsulhshe’ ‘i’ kw’ tth’a’kwus' (70 + 8). Thousands are multiples of hundreds, with '‘apun nets’uwuts' for 1,000, and larger numbers follow similar patterns, sometimes using the borrowed 'tawsun'.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Digits from 1 to 9 are unique words: nuts’a’ (1), yuse’lu (2), lhihw (3), xu’athun (4), lhq’etsus (5), t’xum (6), tth’a’kwus (7), te’tsus (8), toohw (9). For example, 1 is nuts’a’, 4 is xu’athun, and 9 is toohw.
Tens are formed by suffixing 'ulhshe’' to the root of the multiplier digit, except for 10 and 20: 10 is ‘apun, 20 is tskw’ush, 30 is lhuhwulhshe’, 40 is xuthunlhshe’, 50 is lhq’utssulhshe’, 60 is t’xumulhshe’, 70 is tth’ukwsulhshe’, 80 is te’tssulhshe’, and 90 is toohwulhshe’. For example, 50 is lhq’utssulhshe’ and 70 is tth’ukwsulhshe’.
Compound numbers are formed by stating the ten, then 'i’ kw’', and the unit digit: 23 is tskw’ush ‘i’ kw’ lhihw, 54 is hq’utssulhshe’ ‘i’ kw’ xu’athun, and 78 is tth’ukwsulhshe’ ‘i’ kw’ tth’a’kwus.
Hundreds are formed by stating the multiplier digit followed by 'nets’uwuts': 100 is nets’uwuts, 300 is lhihw nets’uwuts, and 108 is nets’uwuts ‘i’ kw’ te’tsus. For example, 500 is lhq’etsus nets’uwuts.
Compound hundreds are made by combining the hundred, the ten, and the unit with 'i’ kw’': 108 is nets’uwuts ‘i’ kw’ te’tsus, and 990 is toohw nets’uwuts ‘i’ kw’ toohwulhshe’.
Thousands are multiples of hundreds, expressed as ‘apun nets’uwuts’ for 1,000, yuse’lu ‘apun nets’uwuts’ for 2,000, and so on. Larger numbers follow similar patterns, sometimes using the borrowed word tawsun for 1,000.
Unique features
The use of specific native words for numbers 1-9, combined with suffixes for tens, exemplifies a vigesimal system. For example, 30 is lhuhwulhshe’ instead of a simple compound.
Unlike many languages that use a decimal system, Halkomelem's counting relies heavily on multiples of 20, similar to other indigenous North American languages.
A surprising pattern is that 80 can be tutssulhshe’ or te’tssulhshe’, showing some variation in forming the 'eighty' number.
Large numbers like 1,000 are expressed as ‘apun nets’uwuts’, but the borrowed term ‘tawsun’ is also used, reflecting cultural contact with English.
The language incorporates cultural elements into its counting, such as specific words for large numbers used in trade and ceremonial contexts.
Cultural context
The Halkomelem-speaking peoples reside mainly on Vancouver Island and southwestern British Columbia, with a rich cultural heritage rooted in fishing, trading, and ceremonies. Numbers play a vital role in traditional storytelling, resource management, and ceremonial exchanges. For example, counting fish or goods often involves precise native terms. Certain numbers may hold cultural significance, and some larger numbers are borrowed from English, like ‘tawsun’, reflecting historical contact. The language's numerical system reveals the community’s emphasis on kinship, trade, and their connection to the land and sea. While no specific taboo numbers are documented, the use of numbers in rituals underscores their cultural importance.
Fun facts
The number 54 in Halkomelem is hq’utssulhshe’ ‘i’ kw’ xu’athun, combining the tens and units in a pattern unique to their vigesimal system.
Compared to English, which is decimal, Halkomelem’s use of 20 as a base is similar to French ‘quatre-vingts’ for 80, showing a common pattern among languages with vigesimal systems.
Linguistically, the formation of numbers like 78 (tth’ukwsulhshe’ ‘i’ kw’ tth’a’kwus) demonstrates how compound words encode complex numerical concepts efficiently.
Historically, the use of ‘tawsun’ for 1,000 reflects contact with English, yet native terms remain dominant in everyday speech for smaller numbers.
Halkomelem’s system can express numbers up to 9,999, but detailed rules for larger numbers are not yet documented, indicating potential for further linguistic research.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Halkomelem?
1 – nuts’a’, 2 – yuse’lu, 3 – lhihw, 4 – xu’athun, 5 – lhq’etsus, 6 – t’xum, 7 – tth’a’kwus, 8 – te’tsus, 9 – toohw, 10 – ‘apun.
What number base does Halkomelem use?
Halkomelem uses a vigesimal (base-20) system. Evidence includes 20 – tskw’ush, 30 – lhuhwulhshe’, and 40 – xuthunlhshe’, which are formed by multiplying digits by 10 and suffixing 'ulhshe’'.
How do you say 42 in Halkomelem?
42 is constructed as 40 (xuthunlhshe’) plus 2 (yuse’lu), so it is 'xuthunlhshe’ ‘i’ kw’ yuse’lu'.
How do you say 100 in Halkomelem?
100 is 'nets’uwuts'. For example, 108 is 'nets’uwuts ‘i’ kw’ te’tsus'.
How many people speak Halkomelem?
Approximately 500 speakers live mainly on Vancouver Island and southwestern British Columbia.
Is Halkomelem related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Salishan language family, specifically the Coast Salish branch.
What makes Halkomelem counting unique?
Its vigesimal system and the use of native words for 1-9 combined with suffixes for tens and hundreds make it distinct, such as 70 being tth’ukwsulhshe’.
Sources
- Hul’q’umi’num’ Language Academy