Datapoint Michif/Subject relative clauses

There are several possibilities in Michif to relativize clauses.
The most frequent one is the use of a verb in the so-called conjunct order, used mostly in subordinate clauses and after a focused constituent. The conjunct prefix kaa- is the most frequent, and it relates most often to a nominal, whereas ee- or aen- relates more to the whole clause, and chi- has a future reference.

In short, the vast majority of relative clauses do not contain a particle or pronoun, but a verbal prefix. The verb is always inflected for subject and, in transitive clauses, object.

In addition, a French relativizer particle ki can be used, but that is limited to relative clauses containing French verbs. This includes the copula that will have different forms for person (ki li SG, ki suun PL) and tense (ki litee PST) but not for gender.
These constructions are marginal, and the fact that all of them are subject relative clauses may very well be an accidental gap in the data.

In constructions with a copula in the relative clause, the copula may superficially look like a resumptive pronoun, but these morphemes are better interpreted as strictly verbal.

Values

Verbal affix Frequency: 90.0%

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

Example 75-228:
Namoya, niya mun peer kaapeekiyokeet.
Namoya, niya mun peer kaa-pee-kiyokee-t.
no (C) 1sg (C) 1sg.poss (f) father (f) comp-come-visit.ta-3 (C)
No, MY father came to visit. OR: It was my father who came for a visit.

Source: Bakker 2003

Example 75-232:
La faam awa kaaohpikihaat Cinderella, kiiwiihkomikaashow.
La
art.f.sg
faam
woman
awa
this
kaa-ohpiki-h-aat
rel-grow-caus-3.sbj.3.obj
Cinderella
Cinderella
kii-wiihkom-ikaasho-w.
pst-invite-pass.anim-3
The woman who raised Cinderella was invited for the feast.

Source: Fleury 2007

Confidence:
Very certain

Relative particle and gap Frequency: 10.0%

Example 75-229:
Gishkeeyimaaw enn fiiy ki li paraliizii.
Gishkee-yim-aaw
1sg.know-anim-3.obj
enn
indf.art.f.sg
fiiy
girl
ki
rel
li
3.be
paraliizii.
paralyzed
I know a girl who has infantile paralysis. OR: I know a girl who is paralyzed.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 145

Example 75-230:
Diluu ki li buun aayimen chiayaahk.
Diluu
water
ki
that
li
is
buun
good
aayime-n
difficult-3
chi-ayaa-hk.
comp.fut-have-indf.ACTOR
Fresh water is hard to get.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 104

Example 75-231:
Li taan ki vyaen kiyaapit kaishpayin.
Li
art.m.sg
taan
time
ki
that
vyaen
come
kiyaapit
still
ka-ishpayi-n.
fut-happen-3
The future is yet to be. OR: The time that comes will still happen.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 106

Confidence:
Certain