Datapoint Michif/Order of adjective and noun

Only French has a category “adjective”. Almost all adjectives follow nouns, some precede nouns. The position of the adjectives relative to the noun is similar to what is found in French. The equivalent of adjectives are verbs in Cree, or relative clauses. These usually have the form: kaa-VERB-agreement and they almost always follow the noun.

Values

Modifying adjective follows noun Frequency: 70.0%

Example 75-11:
ma maen dret
ma
1sg.poss.f
maen
hand
dret
right
my right hand

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-13:
enn fleur ruuzh
enn
indf.art.f
fleur
flower
ruuzh
red
a red flower

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-15:
Giimiyikawin aen morsoo kaamishaak la vyaand.
Gii-miy-ikaw-in
1.pst-give-pass-1
aen
indf.art.m
morsoo
piece
kaa-mishaa-k
rel-be.big.inan-3
la
def.art.f.sg
vyaand.
meat
He was given a big piece of meat. OR: He was given a piece of meat that was big.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 137

Example 75-18:
lii fiy anihi kaamayaatishichik
lii
art.pl
fiy
girl
anihi
dem.pl
kaa-mayaatishi-chik
rel-be.ugly-3pl
those girls who were ugly OR: those ugly girls

Source: Fleury 2007

Confidence:
Very certain

Modifying adjective precedes noun Frequency: 30.0%

Example 75-12:
aen boo kutoo
aen
indf.art.m
boo
good.m
kutoo
knife
a good knife

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-14:
enn vyey faam
enn
indf.art.f
vyey
old.f
faam
woman
an old woman

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-16:
Wahwah, enn grangran maenzoon uma kaawiikichik.
Wahwah,
wow
enn
def.art.f.sg
gran~gran
big.red
maenzoon
house
uma
dem
kaa-wiiki-chik.
rel-build-3pl.sbj.3.obj
Wow! That is a really big house that they built!

Source: Fleury 2007

Confidence:
Very certain