Datapoint Michif/Negation and indefinite pronouns

Indefinites in Michif show a mixture of elements of French and Cree origin.

'nothing':
aryaen,
(Na)makeekway
Noo keekway

'never':
noo uhkaat
namo wiihkach
zhamaen

'nowhere':
namanawndaw,
pa/noo aan cheuk paar,
noo nawnduw

'nobody':
noo awiyek
namawiyek

'something':
keekway

'somewhere':
naandaw

'somebody':
awiyek

The elements of French origin (aryaen, zhamaen) will almost always appear without a negative element elsewhere in the sentence. The indefinites from Cree will always appear with a negative element, which can be from Cree or French. In negative sentences the negative element immediately precedes the indefinite element.

Values

Preclusion possible under other conditions

Example 75-257:
Namo wiihkach li pica mooweew.
Namo
neg
wiihkach
ever
li
art.m.sg
pica
pizza
moow-eew.
eat.anim-3.sbj.3obj
She never eats pizza.

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-258:
Namakeekway giiushistaen anush.
Nama-keekway
neg-something
gii-ushist-aen
1.pst-do-3
anush.
today
I did nothing today.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 194

Example 75-259:
Zhamaen nimuwaaw la bish.
Zhamaen
never
ni-muw-aaw
1-eat-3.sbj.3.obj
la
art.f.sg
bish.
elk
I never ate elk.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 84

Example 75-260:
Noo naandaw nimishkawaaw la shayeer.
Noo
neg
naandaw
somewhere
ni-mishkaw-aaw
1-find.anim-3.obj
la
art.f.sg
shayeer.
pail
I can't find the pail anywhere.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 195

Confidence:
Certain