Datapoint Ternate Chabacano/Indefinite pronouns

The counterparts of the indefinite pronouns 'somebody' and 'something' are related to the interrogative pronouns kyén 'who' and kósa 'what' or generic-noun kósa 'thing'. They can be combined with máski 'though' or with existential tyéni. Also an existential tyéni with a free relative clause can be used.

Values

Existential construction Frequency: 46.7%

Example 44-41:
Tyéni kyén ya yudá konmígo [...].
Tyéni
exist
kyén
who
ya
pfv
yudá
help
konmígo
1sg.obj
[...].
[...]
Someone helped me [...].
Example 44-42:
Tyéni éle ya dáli konmígu.
Tyéni
have
éle
3sg
ya
pfv
dáli
give
konmígu.
1sg.obj
He gave me something. OR: He had something to give to me.
Confidence:
Certain

Interrogative-based indefinites Frequency: 46.7%

Example 44-40:
Máski kósa ya dáli kumígo.
Máski
even
kósa
thing
ya
pfv
dáli
give
kumígo.
1sg.obj
He gave me something.
Confidence:
Certain

Generic-noun-based indefinites Frequency: 6.7%

Example 44-39:
Tyéni hénti ayá na pwéra.
Tyéni
exist
hénti
person
ayá
there
na
loc
pwéra.
outside
There is someone outside.
Confidence:
Unspecified