Datapoint Michif/Instrument relative clauses

Very few spontaneous examples of instrument relative clauses could be found in our data. The preposition 'with' can be used, but otherwise the construction with a conjunct verb is quite different from constructions with relative pronouns or particles.

In elicitation, speakers used a contructions with a verb meaning 'use'.

This does not necessarily mean that other construction are not possible.

Values

Impossible

Example 75-234:
Uunhiin lii siizoo eekiiaapachihtaat chikishkishahk aen papyii.
Uunhiin
these
lii
art.pl
siizoo
scissors
ee-kii-aapachihtaa-t
comp-pst-use.inan-3.sbj.3.obj
chi-kishkish-ahk
comp.fut-cut-3.sbj.anim.3.obj.inan
aen
indf.art.m.sg
papyii.
paper
Here (These) are the scissors with which she cut the paper.

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-235:
Li but di kutoo kaaapachihtaahk chimenishikaakeehk.
Li
art.m.sg
but
end
di
of
kutoo
knife
kaa-apachihtaa-hk
rel-use.inan-indf.ACTOR
chi-menish-ikaa-kee-hk.
comp.fut-cut-pass-indf.obj-indf.ACTOR
It is the blade of a knife that is used if one cuts things. OR: The blade of the knife is used to cut with.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 44

Example 75-236:
Uma li kuto kaakiiapachtayaan la vyan chimanishamaan.
Uma
this.inan
li
art.m.sg
kuto
knife
kaa-kii-apachtaa-yaan
rel-pst-use-1sg
la
art.m.sg
vyan
meat
chi-manish-amaan.
comp.fut-cut-1sg.sbj.3.obj.inan
This is the knife I cut the meat with. OR: This is the knife I used to cut the meat with.

Source: Fleury 2007

Confidence:
Certain