Datapoint Vincentian Creole/Negation and indefinite pronouns

The sentential marker can be omitted if the indefinite pronoun is in subject position with no other negative indefinite in post-verbal position. Compare Example 243 (where sentence negation is optional with a preverbal negative indefinite) with Example 247 (where sentential negation is required to make the utterance grammatical). Postverbal negative indefinites require sentential negation (cf. Examples 245, 246 and 247).

Values

Preclusion possible with preverbal indefinites

Example 7-243:
Nobadi (na) si mi.
No-badi
neg-body
(na)
(neg)
si
see
mi.
1sg
Nobody saw me.

Source: Prescod 2013+: 12

Example 7-244:
Mi na si nobadi.
Mi
1sg
na
neg
si
see
no-badi.
neg-body
I didn’t see anybody.

Source: Prescod 2013+: 12

Example 7-245:
*Mi si nobadi.
*Mi
1sg
si
see
no-badi.
neg-bodi
NOT: I didn’t see anybody.

Source: Prescod 2013+: 12

Example 7-246:
Nobadi na si nobadi.
No-badi
neg-body
na
neg
si
see
no-badi.
neg-body
Nobody saw anybody.

Source: Prescod 2013+: 12

Example 7-247:
*Nobadi si nobadi.
*No-badi
neg-body
si
see
no-badi.
neg-body
NOT: Nobody saw anybody.

Source: Prescod 2013+: 12

Confidence:
Certain