Datapoint Michif/Complementizer with verbs of speaking

Verbs of speaking are most often followed by direct speech. The complement can only be introduced by a zero complementizer in a direct quote. In an indirect quote there will always be a morphological complementizer.

Often the complement gets a special form of the verb used in subordinate clauses. These verbs start with a prefix that can be called a complementizer, usually ee- (with variants).

Frequently a quotative is used, itweew, meaning 'he/she says' with direct speech.

Values

No complementizer Frequency: 70.0%

Example 75-238:
"Kamiyoayaaw avek niyanaan," itweew.
"Ka-miyo-ayaa-w
fut-well-be-3
avek
with
niyanaan,"
us
itweew.
say.3
"She will be well with us", she said.

Source: Fleury 2007

Confidence:
Certain

Complementizer not synchronically related to ‘say’ Frequency: 30.0%

Example 75-239:
Kiiitweew eewiishipweehteet.
Kii-itwee-w
pst-say-3
ee-wii-shipweehtee-t.
comp-INTENTIONAL.fut-leave-3
She said that she was leaving.

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-240:
Wiihtem eekiitutahk.
Wiiht-em
tell-3.sbj.3.obj.inan
ee-kii-tut-ahk.
comp-pst-do-3.sbj.3.obj.inan
He admitted that he did it.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 17

Confidence:
Very certain