What is the number ‘7’ I’ve seen in some Indigenous words?

How many of you have driven along the Sea to Sky Highway and have seen this picture below?

<br />http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2011/06/27/wanna-speak-squamish-squamish-nation-publishes-dictionary/

Credit: Inside Vancouver

Have you every wondered what the number ‘7’ means?  So did I!  I visited the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center in Whistler and asked them what it means.  It represents a pause, they said.  It is also referred as a ‘glottal stop’.

You can actually buy the Squamish-English language dictionary from Amazon.

Skwxwu7mesh Snichim-Xweliten Snichim Skexwts

 

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