Evidentiality

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Evidentiality is the grammatical encoding of information source on the verb. Mi'gmaq has two markers---p(n) and -s((p)n). Mi’gmaq has two clear evidential markers—the direct and indirect marker, -p(n) and -s(n), respectively. These mark source of information, whether firsthand or non-firsthand. Whenever -p(n) is used a past tense reading applies. The indirect marker is also used in the past tense and also surfaces in future tense environments (Inglis & Johnson, 2001). The direct and indirect markers have two forms—-p, -pn and -s, -sn, respectively. Morphosyntactic constraints dictate, which form surfaces: the n is dropped word-finally except in embedded clauses (Loughran, 2012).

Direct marker

The direct marker, -p(n), always conveys a past tense interpretation. This marker is used when the speaker has direct evidence or is certain of the event he or she is uttering.

mijji- 'eat'
↓person / number→ SG DU PL
1 13 mijjiap mijjieg'p mijjultieg'p
12 mijjigup mijjultigup
2 mijji't'p mijjioqop mijjultioqop
3 mijjip mijjipnig mijjultipnig

Indirect marker

mijji- 'eat'
↓person / number→ SG DU PL
1 13 mijjiass mijjieg's mijjultieg's
12 mijjigus mijjultigus
2 mijji's'p mijjioqoss mijjultioqoss
3 mijjiss mijjips'nig mijjultips'nig

Allomorph of the indirect marker

Indirect marker in questions

Indirect marker in the future