1.2: Grammar - Slug Song

Slug Song

slug-r-vb (4K)
slug-vb (4K)
slug-r-vb (4K)
'Imush q'uyatl'un'. Walk, slug.
'Imush q'uyatl'un'. Walk, slug.
Tstamut q'uyatl'un'? What is wrong, slug?
Tstamut q'uyatl'un'? What is wrong, slug?
Hwyunumus q'uyatl'un'. Smile, slug.
Hwyunumus q'uyatl'un'. Smile, slug.
Qwal lhe q'uyatl'un'. Speak, slug.
Qwal lhe q'uyatl'un'. Speak, slug.
Tstamut q'uyatl'un'? What is wrong, slug?
Tstamut q'uyatl'un'? What is wrong, slug?


Another type of command appears in "Slug Song", Qwal lhe. Lhe comes after the verb in this kind of command.


Hwts'e'nutsum lhe."Sit down."
Lhxilush lhe. "Stand up."
'Imush lhe. "Walk."
Lhuqw'tssum lhe. "Clap your hands."

These are only used as commands and there is no English equivalent. They are appropriate when speaking to children but would be rude when speaking to an adult (and certainly would not be used when speaking to an elder).


Note: Q'uyatl'un' is the banana slug, Ariolimax columbianus (Gould), sometimes locally called "snail". Wuq'uq' is the name used to refer to any land snail (like a slug, but with a shell). There are many species of such snails.