Datapoint Michif/‘Want’ complement subjects

The notion 'want' is expressed with a desiderative verbal prefix: wii- expresses a weaker wish than nuuhtee-. Strictly speaking there is just one clause, and hence no complementation in the most simple constructions.

There is also a full verb 'to want' (daweeyim- daweeyiht-) normally used with nominal complements, but occasionally also with verbal complements.

Values

Desiderative verbal affix

Example 75-164:
Tut li muund daweestamwak shikimuwahk.
Tut
all
li
art.m.sg
muund
people
daweest-am-wak
want.it-3.obj-3pl.sbj
shi-kimuwa-hk.
comp.fut-rain-3
All the people want that it will rain. OR: All the people want rain.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 21

Example 75-245:
Kimaaton eewiituhteeyin la dans.
Ki-maato-n
2-cry-2
ee-wii-ituhtee-yin
comp-want-go-2
la
art.f.sg
dans.
dance
You are crying because you want to go to the dance.

Source: Fleury 2007

Example 75-246:
Kiiwiikiiweew.
Kii-wii-kiiwee-w.
pst-want-go.home-3
He wanted to go home.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 205

Example 75-247:
Nuuhteepuuyuuw sa job uhchi.
Nuuhtee-puuyuu-w
want-quit-3
sa
3.poss.f
job
job
uhchi.
from
She wants to resign from her job.

Source: Laverdure and Allard 1983: 265