Datapoint Michif/Marking of patient noun phrases

Most object NPs are unmarked. When there are two animate NPs, one of them can be marked with a so-called obviative marker. This is only the case with animate NPs. The NP marked for obviative is the new or non-topic NP. It can be subject or object, but mostly object. Many such sentences have no obviative marker.

Values

Only animate patient NPs are marked

Example 75-44:
Mihceet Maari Zhaan uhchimeew.
Mihceet
much
Maari
Mary
Zhaan
John
uhchim-eew.
kiss-3.sbj.3.obj
Mary kisses John often.

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-140:
Li shyaen kiinawashwaateew li shawa.
Li
def.art.m.sg
shyaen
dog
kii-nawashwaat-eew
pst-chase-3.sbj.3.obj
li
def.art.m.sg
sha-wa.
cat-obv
The dog chased the cat.

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-141:
Eekwanima kiiwaapahtam li suyii eetikwee.
Eekwanima
that.aforementioned.inan
kii-waapaht-am
pst-see.inan-3inan
li
def.art.m.sg
suyii
shoe
eetikwee.
apparently
He apparently saw the shoe.

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-142:
Maamaa kiiaapachiheew lii rosh eeshikwatahahk lii takwahiminaana.
Maamaa
mother
kii-aapachih-eew
pst-use.anim-3.sbj.3.obj
lii
pl
rosh
rock
ee-shikwatah-ahk
comp-crush-3sg.sbj.3inan.obj
lii
pl
takwahiminaan-a.
chokecherry-pl.inan
My mother used stones to make beaten choke-cherries.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 37

Confidence:
Certain