The spelling of the word "Musquaw" is often a topic of debate due to its unconventional spelling. However, the word is pronounced as /ˈmʌskwɑː/ according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "mus" is pronounced with a short u sound, similar to the word "must". The second syllable "quaw" is pronounced with a "kwah" sound, ending with an elongated "ah" sound. This spelling reflects the Algonquin language roots of the word, where "Musquaw" translates to "woman" or "wife".