Recently, a x̄á’isla elder came to my house. I was in my front yard assembling a work table and he came looking for my mom. I’m familiar with this elder and had done some language work with him in recent years.

It had been some time since I last saw and spoke with him. He asked how my language learning was going and I told him that I was getting ready to start teaching a class in x̄á’isla.

My mom came out and spoke to him while I continued putting my work table together.

When the conversation was over and the elder got ready to leave, he said something to us in x̄á’islak̓ala:

dú’elan dúqʷelatuƛ

Below is a recording that you can listen to and hear how it’s pronounced.

He asked me if I understood what he said and I thought it was “good to see you again” and he said that it was actually “I’ll see you again”. I was close but after he explained it, I fully understood it because I could visualize the word structure.

This is what he says instead of «’iks ḡʷáilas», which is the common phrase spoken when parting company.

I was thankful for this lesson and I will try to use it in my daily life.