Difference between revisions of "Negation"
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Negation is the process of turning affirmative statements into the opposite form. For example, the negative equivalent of affirmative sentence, ''I am eating'' is ''I am not eating''. In English there are a few processes at work. ''not'' must always come with an auxiliary verb like the verb 'to have' and 'to be'. In Mi'gmaq, with its extremely detailed and expansive verb conjugations in the present, it is not surprising that the negated conjugation of verbs is just as detailed and expansive as they are in the affirmative. | Negation is the process of turning affirmative statements into the opposite form. For example, the negative equivalent of affirmative sentence, ''I am eating'' is ''I am not eating''. In English there are a few processes at work. ''not'' must always come with an auxiliary verb like the verb 'to have' and 'to be'. In Mi'gmaq, with its extremely detailed and expansive verb conjugations in the present, it is not surprising that the negated conjugation of verbs is just as detailed and expansive as they are in the affirmative. | ||
− | To start off any commentary on negation, it seems fitting to start of with the word "no" which is ''moqwa'' in Mi'gmaq. (The opposite of this is ''e'e'' , meaning "yes".) Negation in Mi'gmaq is similar to that of Obijwe in that there is both an affix that occurs between the verb and the person marker and a word that comes before the verb denoting negation. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojibwe_grammar#Verbs Verb Conjugation in Ojibwe]. The Mi'gmaq negated affix is ''w'' or ''u'' which is very closely related to the Proto-Algonquian form for negation which is is ''*-w'' ( [http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/440/1/ling.wp.v15.n2.paper6.pdf Proulx, 1990] ). ''w'' or ''u'' are very closely related phonetically since ''w'' is the semivowel corresponding to the vowel ''u''. Bear in mind that during the elicitation sessions, sometimes it was unsure whether to use ''w'' or ''u'' | + | To start off any commentary on negation, it seems fitting to start of with the word "no" which is ''moqwa'' in Mi'gmaq. (The opposite of this is ''e'e'' , meaning "yes".) Negation in Mi'gmaq is similar to that of Obijwe in that there is both an affix that occurs between the verb and the person marker and a word that comes before the verb denoting negation. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojibwe_grammar#Verbs Verb Conjugation in Ojibwe]. The Mi'gmaq negated affix is ''w'' or ''u'' which is very closely related to the Proto-Algonquian form for negation which is is ''*-w'' ( [http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/440/1/ling.wp.v15.n2.paper6.pdf Proulx, 1990] ). ''w'' or ''u'' are very closely related phonetically since ''w'' is the semivowel corresponding to the vowel ''u''. Bear in mind that during the elicitation sessions, sometimes it was unsure whether to use ''w'' or ''u''. |
− | Negation in Mi'gmaq consists of adding ''mu'' or ''ma'' then the verb conjugated in the negated verb form. After ''mu'' or ''ma'' the verb must always contain a negative particle. We must think of these two things as inseparable. ''mu'' always comes before the negative conjugated verb in the present or past, and ''ma'' always comes before future or if the prefix ''gis'' ('can', 'to be able to') is attached to the verb. All other prefixes abide by the rules ''mu'' before present or past and ''ma'' before future. There are other particles that take the negated form of the verb, but it is obvious that | + | Negation in Mi'gmaq consists of adding ''mu'' or ''ma'' then the verb conjugated in the negated verb form. After ''mu'' or ''ma'' the verb must always contain a negative particle. We must think of these two things as inseparable. ''mu'' always comes before the negative conjugated verb in the present or past, and ''ma'' always comes before future or if the prefix ''gis'' ('can', 'to be able to') is attached to the verb. All other prefixes abide by the rules ''mu'' before present or past and ''ma'' before future. There are other particles that take the negated form of the verb, but it is obvious that these particles express a negated idea. |
Please note as well that in some of the studies on Mi'gmaq and Algonquian languages the term 'nonaffirmative' is used to describe the negated form. For consistency in this report, I will use the term 'negated' to indicate the form of the verb which is the opposite of affirmative. 'Nonaffirmative' and 'negated' however refer to the same process of negation. | Please note as well that in some of the studies on Mi'gmaq and Algonquian languages the term 'nonaffirmative' is used to describe the negated form. For consistency in this report, I will use the term 'negated' to indicate the form of the verb which is the opposite of affirmative. 'Nonaffirmative' and 'negated' however refer to the same process of negation. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
= Conjugation of the Negated Verb = | = Conjugation of the Negated Verb = | ||
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|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | 12 | ! scope="row" | 12 | ||
− | | | + | | mijji'gw |
− | | | + | | mijjulti'gw |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" colspan="2" | 2 | ! scope="row" colspan="2" | 2 | ||
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! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 1 | ! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 1 | ||
! scope="row"| 13 | ! scope="row"| 13 | ||
− | | rowspan="2" | mu | + | | rowspan="2" | mu mijjiw |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjiweg |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjultiweg |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | 12 | ! scope="row" | 12 | ||
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjigw |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjultigw |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" colspan="2" | 2 | ! scope="row" colspan="2" | 2 | ||
| mu mijjiun | | mu mijjiun | ||
| mu mijjiwoq | | mu mijjiwoq | ||
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjultiwoq |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" colspan="2"| 3 | ! scope="row" colspan="2"| 3 | ||
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjigw |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijji'gw |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjulti'gw |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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! scope="row"| 13 | ! scope="row"| 13 | ||
| rowspan="2" |-u | | rowspan="2" |-u | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | 12 | ! scope="row" | 12 | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" colspan="2" | 2 | ! scope="row" colspan="2" | 2 | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" colspan="2"| 3.AN | ! scope="row" colspan="2"| 3.AN | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" colspan="2"| 3.IN | ! scope="row" colspan="2"| 3.IN | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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The forms for the first person dual and plural in the exclusive and inclusive forms are the same. As shown by other data, the dual form seems to be in the process of disappearing. This is one such example where the dual form does not exist for the plural first person. Some younger speakers do not use the dual form at all so it is not surprising that we find a gap in the dual form here. All this is according to the speaker but if we followed the pattern of the previous forms we would expect the dual form for the inclusive and exclusive first person to be ''-ieweg''. "When the verb is negated, then the -g third person is ALWAYS found" (Micmac Grammar, 1976 pg 93). | The forms for the first person dual and plural in the exclusive and inclusive forms are the same. As shown by other data, the dual form seems to be in the process of disappearing. This is one such example where the dual form does not exist for the plural first person. Some younger speakers do not use the dual form at all so it is not surprising that we find a gap in the dual form here. All this is according to the speaker but if we followed the pattern of the previous forms we would expect the dual form for the inclusive and exclusive first person to be ''-ieweg''. "When the verb is negated, then the -g third person is ALWAYS found" (Micmac Grammar, 1976 pg 93). | ||
− | Below is a comparison of different verbs to give an idea of how to conjugate different types of verbs in the negated form. All forms are conjugated in the present singular third person animate. The form of -''elie-'' was taken from Micmac Grammar (pg 155). | + | Below is a comparison of different verbs to give an idea of how to conjugate different types of verbs in the negated form. All forms are conjugated in the present singular third person animate. The form of -''elie-'' was taken from Micmac Grammar (pg 155). For more detail about these forms see [[VAI]]. |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
− | ! | + | ! VAI stem || Base Form || Gloss || Affirmative || Gloss || Negated || Gloss |
|- | |- | ||
| -i | | -i | ||
| mijji- | | mijji- | ||
+ | | eat | ||
| mijjit | | mijjit | ||
− | | mu | + | | s/he eats |
− | | eat | + | | mu mijjigw |
+ | | s/he does not eat | ||
|- | |- | ||
| -a | | -a | ||
| amalga- | | amalga- | ||
+ | | dance | ||
| amalgat | | amalgat | ||
− | | mu | + | | s/he dances |
− | | dance | + | | mu amalgagw |
+ | | s/he does not dance | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | - | + | | -a'si |
− | | | + | | ala'si- |
− | |||
− | |||
| go around | | go around | ||
+ | | ala'sit | ||
+ | | s/he goes around | ||
+ | | mu ala'sigw | ||
+ | | s/he does not go around | ||
|- | |- | ||
| -e | | -e | ||
| elie- | | elie- | ||
+ | | go | ||
| eliet | | eliet | ||
+ | | s/he goes | ||
| mu eliegw | | mu eliegw | ||
− | | go | + | | s/he does not go |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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Below is the conjugation in present of a transitive verb that takes an inanimate object. | Below is the conjugation in present of a transitive verb that takes an inanimate object. | ||
− | {| class="wikitable" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
− | ! | + | |+ VTI Conjugation Class 1: -m class |
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="col" | ↓subject / object→ | ||
+ | ! scope="col" | 0SG | ||
+ | ! scope="col" | 0PL | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="row" | 1 | ||
+ | | malqutm | ||
+ | | malqutmann | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="row" | 13 | ||
+ | | malqutmeg | ||
+ | | malqutmegl | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 12 |
− | | | + | | malqutmu'g |
− | | | + | | malqutmu'gul |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 2 |
− | | | + | | malqutmn |
− | | | + | | malqutmnn |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 2PL |
− | |||
− | |||
| malqutmoq | | malqutmoq | ||
+ | | malqutmoqol | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | 3 | + | ! scope="row" | 3 |
− | | | + | | malqutmeg |
− | | | + | | malqutmegl |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="row" | 3PL | ||
+ | | malqutmi'tij | ||
+ | | malqutmi'titl | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |
− | + | |+ VTI Negative Conjugation Class 1: -m class | |
− | ! | + | |- |
+ | ! scope="col" | ↓subject / object→ | ||
+ | ! scope="col" | 0SG | ||
+ | ! scope="col" | 0PL | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="row" | 1 | ||
+ | | mu malqutmu | ||
+ | | mu malqutmuann | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="row" | 13 | ||
+ | | mu malqutmueg | ||
+ | | mu malqutmuegl | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="row" | 12 | ||
+ | | mu malqutmugg | ||
+ | | mu malqutmuggul | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 2 |
− | | mu | + | | mu malqutmu'n |
− | | mu | + | | mu malqutmu'nn |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 2PL |
− | | | + | | mu malqutmuoq |
− | | | + | | mu malqutmuoqol |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 3 |
− | | mu | + | | mu malqutmug |
− | | mu | + | | mu malqutmugul |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 3PL |
− | | mu | + | | mu malqutmi'tigw |
− | + | | mu malqutmi'tigul | |
− | | mu | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | |||
− | {| class="wikitable" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
− | ! | + | |+ VTI Negative Conjugation Class 1: -m class |
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="col" | ↓subject / object→ | ||
+ | ! scope="col" | 0SG | ||
+ | ! scope="col" | 0PL | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="row" | 1 | ||
+ | | - | ||
+ | | - | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 13 |
− | | | + | | - |
− | | | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 12 |
− | | | + | | |
− | | | + | | |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 2 |
− | | | + | | - |
− | | | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 2PL |
− | | | + | | - |
− | | | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! scope="row" | 3 |
− | | | + | | - |
− | | | + | | - |
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="row" | 3PL | ||
+ | | - | ||
+ | | - | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | |||
− | |||
== Imperative == | == Imperative == | ||
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| 2 Second person | | 2 Second person | ||
| mijji | | mijji | ||
− | | | + | | mijjigw |
− | | | + | | mijjultigw |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| 2 Second person | | 2 Second person | ||
− | | mutt | + | | mutt mijjiw |
− | | | + | | mutt mijjinew |
− | | mutt | + | | mutt mijjultinew |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | |||
− | |||
== Past Tense == | == Past Tense == | ||
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| 12 First person (inclusive) | | 12 First person (inclusive) | ||
| ''n/a'' | | ''n/a'' | ||
− | | | + | | mijji'gup |
− | | | + | | mijjulti'gup |
|- | |- | ||
| 2 Second person | | 2 Second person | ||
| mijjit'p | | mijjit'p | ||
− | | | + | | mijjioqop |
| mijjultioqop | | mijjultioqop | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 3 Third person (animate) | | 3 Third person (animate) | ||
| mijjip | | mijjip | ||
− | | | + | | mijjipnig |
− | | | + | | mijjultipnig |
|} | |} | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| 1 First person (exclusive) | | 1 First person (exclusive) | ||
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjiwap |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjiweg'p |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjultiweg'p |
|- | |- | ||
| 12 First person (inclusive) | | 12 First person (inclusive) | ||
| ''n/a'' | | ''n/a'' | ||
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjiwgup |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjultiwgup/mijjultiggup |
|- | |- | ||
| 2 Second person | | 2 Second person | ||
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjiwt'p |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjiwoqop |
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjultiwoqop |
|- | |- | ||
| 3 Third person (animate) | | 3 Third person (animate) | ||
− | | mu | + | | mu mijjigup |
− | | | + | | mu mijjigupnig |
− | | | + | | mu mijjultigupnig |
|} | |} | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| 1 First person (exclusive) | | 1 First person (exclusive) | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
| 12 First person (inclusive) | | 12 First person (inclusive) | ||
| ''n/a'' | | ''n/a'' | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
| 2 Second person | | 2 Second person | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
| 3 Third person (animate) | | 3 Third person (animate) | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | | + | | |
− | | | + | | |
|} | |} | ||
− | For the third person the -''ug'p'' can change to -'' | + | For the third person the -''ug'p'' can change to -''weg'p'' for example: |
<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll Mu | + | \gll Mu ala'ti-we-g'p |
not go-NEG-SG.PAST | not go-NEG-SG.PAST | ||
\trans She didn't go | \trans She didn't go | ||
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== Future Tense == | == Future Tense == | ||
− | + | Affirmative: | |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| 1 First person (exclusive) | | 1 First person (exclusive) | ||
− | | | + | | mijjit's/mijjia's(List) |
− | | | + | | mijjitesnen |
− | | | + | | mijjultitesnen |
|- | |- | ||
| 12 First person (inclusive) | | 12 First person (inclusive) | ||
| ''n/a'' | | ''n/a'' | ||
− | | | + | | mijjitesnu |
− | | | + | | mijjultitesnu |
|- | |- | ||
| 2 Second person | | 2 Second person | ||
− | | mijjit' | + | | mijjit'sg |
− | |||
| mijjitoqs'p | | mijjitoqs'p | ||
+ | | mijjultitoqs'p | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 3 Third person (animate) | | 3 Third person (animate) | ||
| mijjitew | | mijjitew | ||
− | | | + | | mijjitaq |
| mijjultitaq | | mijjultitaq | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | |||
− | + | Negated: | |
− | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| 1 First person (exclusive) | | 1 First person (exclusive) | ||
− | | ma | + | | ma' mijjiw |
− | | ma | + | | ma' mijjiweg |
− | | ma | + | | ma' mijjultiweg |
|- | |- | ||
| 12 First person (inclusive) | | 12 First person (inclusive) | ||
| ''n/a'' | | ''n/a'' | ||
− | | ma | + | | ma' mijjigw |
− | | ma | + | | ma' mijjultigw |
|- | |- | ||
| 2 Second person | | 2 Second person | ||
− | | ma | + | | ma' mijjiun |
− | | | + | | ma' mijjiwoq |
− | | | + | | ma' mijjultiwoq |
|- | |- | ||
| 3 Third person (animate) | | 3 Third person (animate) | ||
− | | ma | + | | ma' mijjigw |
− | | '' | + | | ma' mijji'gw |
− | | ma | + | | ma' mijjulti'gw |
|} | |} | ||
− | NOTE: In the future the ''mu'' changes to ''ma'' !! Like ''mu'', ''ma'' must always come before the verb conjugated in the negative | + | NOTE: In the future the ''mu'' changes to ''ma' '' !! Like ''mu'', ''ma'' must always come before the verb conjugated in the negative future. |
− | |||
− | + | Paradigm of the negated endings in the future. | |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| 1 First person (exclusive) | | 1 First person (exclusive) | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
| 12 First person (inclusive) | | 12 First person (inclusive) | ||
− | | | + | | |
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | - | + | | - |
|- | |- | ||
| 2 Second person | | 2 Second person | ||
− | | - | + | | - |
− | | | + | | |
− | | | + | | |
|- | |- | ||
| 3 Third person (animate) | | 3 Third person (animate) | ||
− | | | + | | |
− | | | + | | |
− | | | + | | |
|} | |} | ||
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<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll ma gis-wissugwatige-w | + | \gll ma' gis-wissugwatige-w |
NEG can-cook.1-NEG | NEG can-cook.1-NEG | ||
− | \trans I cannot cook | + | \trans I cannot cook at this time |
</gl> | </gl> | ||
− | + | <gl> | |
+ | \gll mu gis-wissugwatige-w | ||
+ | can-cook.1-NEG | ||
+ | \trans I am unable to cook (something is preventing me from cooking) | ||
+ | </gl> | ||
− | ''ma'' always precedes the future tense AND when the ''gis'' prefix is attached to the verb conjugated in the present for example: | + | Thus it is seen that ''ma' '' comes before the verb, now making the sentence grammatical. |
+ | |||
+ | ''ma' '' always precedes the future tense AND when the ''gis'' prefix is attached to the verb conjugated in the present for example: | ||
<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll ma gis-amalga-w-g | + | \gll ma' gis-amalga-w-g |
NEG can-dance-NEG-3 | NEG can-dance-NEG-3 | ||
\trans s/he cannot dance | \trans s/he cannot dance | ||
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<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll me | + | \gll me' mnaq newt ajiegw |
NEG yet one time-NEG-3 | NEG yet one time-NEG-3 | ||
\trans it is not one o’clock yet | \trans it is not one o’clock yet | ||
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<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll | + | \gll mu-wen mijji-gw |
NEG-who eat-NEG-3 | NEG-who eat-NEG-3 | ||
\trans no one is eating | \trans no one is eating | ||
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<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll | + | \gll mu goqwei etn-u-g |
no thing be-NEG-3 | no thing be-NEG-3 | ||
\trans there is nothing there | \trans there is nothing there | ||
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| do not | | do not | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | ''lpa mu'' | + | | '''lpa mu'' |
| before negated present and past | | before negated present and past | ||
| not even | | not even | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | '' | + | | ''mu wen'' |
| before negated present, past and future | | before negated present, past and future | ||
| no one/nobody | | no one/nobody | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | '' | + | | ''mu goqwei''' |
| before negated present, past and future | | before negated present, past and future | ||
| nothing | | nothing | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | ''me | + | | ''me' mnaq'' |
| before negated verb | | before negated verb | ||
| not yet | | not yet | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | ''ma'' | + | | ''ma' '' |
| before negated future verb and preverb ''gis'' (can) | | before negated future verb and preverb ''gis'' (can) | ||
| not | | not | ||
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<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll mu | + | \gll mu malqutm-u goqwei |
NEG eat.1>0-NEG what | NEG eat.1>0-NEG what | ||
\trans I eat nothing | \trans I eat nothing | ||
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<gl id="1"> | <gl id="1"> | ||
− | \gll lpa'tuj | + | \gll 'lpa'tuj eig'-p |
boy be.there.PST-SG | boy be.there.PST-SG | ||
\trans the boy was there | \trans the boy was there | ||
Line 535: | Line 573: | ||
<gl id="2"> | <gl id="2"> | ||
− | \gll lpa'tuj mu eimu-g-u-p | + | \gll 'lpa'tuj mu eimu-g-u-p |
boy NEG be.there-PST-NEG-SG | boy NEG be.there-PST-NEG-SG | ||
\trans the boy was not there | \trans the boy was not there | ||
Line 541: | Line 579: | ||
= Word Order = | = Word Order = | ||
− | The negative particle (or possibly affix) ''mu'' always appears before the verb it negates. Although words can intervene between ''mu'' and the verb it negates, ''mu'' must always precede the verb | + | The negative particle (or possibly affix) ''mu'' always appears before the verb it negates. Although words can intervene between ''mu'' and the verb it negates, ''mu'' must always precede the verb. |
<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll mu | + | \gll Mali mu amal-gag-u-p |
− | NEG | + | Mali NEG dance-PAST-NEG-SG |
− | \trans | + | \trans Mali did not dance |
</gl> | </gl> | ||
<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll lpa'tuj mu eimug-u-p | + | \gll mu Mali amal-gag-u-p |
+ | NEG Mali dance-PAST-NEG-SG | ||
+ | \trans Mali did not dance | ||
+ | </gl> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Placement of ''mu'' post-verbally results in ungrammaticality, as illustrated below. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <gl> | ||
+ | \gll 'lpa'tuj mu eimug-u-p | ||
boy NEG be.there.PST-NEG-SG | boy NEG be.there.PST-NEG-SG | ||
− | \trans the boy was not there | + | \trans the boy was not there |
</gl> | </gl> | ||
Acceptable word orders: | Acceptable word orders: | ||
− | *mu eimugup lpa'tuj | + | *mu eimugup 'lpa'tuj |
− | *mu lpa'tuj eimugup | + | *mu 'lpa'tuj eimugup |
Unacceptable word orders: | Unacceptable word orders: | ||
− | * *eimugup lpa'tuj mu | + | * *eimugup 'lpa'tuj mu |
− | * *eimugup mu lpa'tuj | + | * *eimugup mu 'lpa'tuj |
− | * *lpa'tuj eimugup mu | + | * *'lpa'tuj eimugup mu |
Line 568: | Line 614: | ||
<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll ula na lpa'tuj ta'n | + | \gll ula na 'lpa'tuj ta'n egitg'p wi'gatign |
this DEM boy that read.PST book | this DEM boy that read.PST book | ||
\trans this is the boy that read the book | \trans this is the boy that read the book | ||
Line 576: | Line 622: | ||
<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll ula na mu lpa'tuj ta'n | + | \gll ula na mu 'lpa'tuj ta'n egitg'p wi'gatign |
this DEM NEG boy that read.PST book | this DEM NEG boy that read.PST book | ||
\trans this is not the boy that read the book | \trans this is not the boy that read the book | ||
</gl> | </gl> | ||
− | The following word orders for negation in the first clause are impossible: | + | The following word orders for negation in the first clause are impossible: *TO CHECK |
− | * *ula na lpa'tuj mu... | + | * *ula na 'lpa'tuj mu... |
− | * *ula mu na lpa'tuj... | + | * *ula mu na 'lpa'tuj... |
− | * *mu ula na lpa'tuj... | + | * *mu ula na 'lpa'tuj... |
If we want to negate the second clause, as to say "This is the boy that did '''not''' read the book", the word order may be varied, as long as negation comes before the verb (as discussed previously). | If we want to negate the second clause, as to say "This is the boy that did '''not''' read the book", the word order may be varied, as long as negation comes before the verb (as discussed previously). | ||
== Scope of Negation == | == Scope of Negation == | ||
− | As stated above, ''mu'' always comes before the verb. There may be particles that intrude between ''mu'' and the negated verb, but as long as ''mu'' comes before the negated verb, the structure is grammatical. [http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED136614.pdf Micmac Grammar, 1976] | + | As stated above, ''mu'' always comes before the verb. There may be particles that intrude between ''mu'' and the negated verb, but as long as ''mu'' comes before the negated verb, the structure is grammatical. [http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED136614.pdf Micmac Grammar, 1976] Sometimes the meaning of the sentence can change depending on the position of ''mu''. |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
<gl> | <gl> | ||
− | \gll | + | \gll 'gjitm Mali mu amal-gag-u-p |
− | possible Mali NEG dance- | + | possible Mali NEG dance-PST-NEG-SG |
− | \trans | + | \trans it is true that Mali did not dance |
</gl> | </gl> | ||
− | + | *CHECK MORE | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
We would also expect phrases with adverb-like particles translatable as "it is possible" or "it is true" or "it is obvious" would also vary regarding negation. | We would also expect phrases with adverb-like particles translatable as "it is possible" or "it is true" or "it is obvious" would also vary regarding negation. | ||
=Language change and negation= | =Language change and negation= | ||
− | I | + | Often I was not able to elicit both the dual and plural forms of a verb. There are many times when I could only elicit the dual form, or times when the dual and plural forms were the same. It has been noted by our consultants that younger speakers are not using the plural forms but are using the dual form to mean both dual and plural. This seems be a language change happening currently in the speech community where the younger generation is leading the change. As noted in the paradigm above for 'eat' in the negated present tense, both dual and plural forms are the same. Here it seems that the plural form is used for both dual and plural meanings. This would strongly suggest a change happening in the speech community. |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
=References= | =References= |
Latest revision as of 06:36, 19 August 2014
Introduction
Negation is the process of turning affirmative statements into the opposite form. For example, the negative equivalent of affirmative sentence, I am eating is I am not eating. In English there are a few processes at work. not must always come with an auxiliary verb like the verb 'to have' and 'to be'. In Mi'gmaq, with its extremely detailed and expansive verb conjugations in the present, it is not surprising that the negated conjugation of verbs is just as detailed and expansive as they are in the affirmative.
To start off any commentary on negation, it seems fitting to start of with the word "no" which is moqwa in Mi'gmaq. (The opposite of this is e'e , meaning "yes".) Negation in Mi'gmaq is similar to that of Obijwe in that there is both an affix that occurs between the verb and the person marker and a word that comes before the verb denoting negation. See Verb Conjugation in Ojibwe. The Mi'gmaq negated affix is w or u which is very closely related to the Proto-Algonquian form for negation which is is *-w ( Proulx, 1990 ). w or u are very closely related phonetically since w is the semivowel corresponding to the vowel u. Bear in mind that during the elicitation sessions, sometimes it was unsure whether to use w or u.
Negation in Mi'gmaq consists of adding mu or ma then the verb conjugated in the negated verb form. After mu or ma the verb must always contain a negative particle. We must think of these two things as inseparable. mu always comes before the negative conjugated verb in the present or past, and ma always comes before future or if the prefix gis ('can', 'to be able to') is attached to the verb. All other prefixes abide by the rules mu before present or past and ma before future. There are other particles that take the negated form of the verb, but it is obvious that these particles express a negated idea.
Please note as well that in some of the studies on Mi'gmaq and Algonquian languages the term 'nonaffirmative' is used to describe the negated form. For consistency in this report, I will use the term 'negated' to indicate the form of the verb which is the opposite of affirmative. 'Nonaffirmative' and 'negated' however refer to the same process of negation.
Conjugation of the Negated Verb
I have selected the verb mijji (to eat). Please note that some resources spell this like mijji where other spell it miji (Micmac Teaching Grammar, 1976). I have selected the spelling from the Migmaq talking dictionary. It is also important to note that the Micmac Teaching Grammar uses an orthography that is different of all other orthographies used with Mi'gmaq. I will indicate which terms they are and give the Listuguj equivalent orthographical manner of writing them.
The simplified formula for the conjugation in the negated form: the base form + u or w + person ending (Micmac Teaching Grammar, 1976) The base form for intransitive verbs is always the verb in the first person singular. For example I eat is mijji. Now to create the second person singular we add the ending -n denoting second person singular and get the form mijjin. For another type of verb (henceforth referred to as the a verbs) we take the base form amalga- and add -n to get amalgan (you dance) and to get the first person singular we add -i. Please note that it has been hypothesized that there are at least eleven different conjugations. We will only be dealing with a couple here. Because of reasons of time limitation, I was not able to elicit all eleven types but when there is a difference in conjugation, that will be noted. Note that in the plural the u or w comes after -ulti-. This could be due the the fact that -ulti- is the plural affix that attaches to the base form of the verb and does not convey anything about the tense of the verb, rather it is used to denote that the verb is plural. Thus the u or w comes right before the tense marker which is always at the end of the verb. For the first person singular in present there is a null tense marker at the end of some verbs (for example the -i verbs) thus the negative marker is at the end.
Present Tense
First is a comparison of the affirmative and negated paradigms of the verb mijji ('eat').
↓person / number→ | SG | DU | PL | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 13 | mijji | mijjieg | mijjultieg |
12 | mijji'gw | mijjulti'gw | ||
2 | mijjin | mijjioq | mijjultioq | |
3 | mijjit | mijjijig | mijjultijig |
↓person / number→ | SG | DU | PL | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 13 | mu mijjiw | mu mijjiweg | mu mijjultiweg |
12 | mu mijjigw | mu mijjultigw | ||
2 | mu mijjiun | mu mijjiwoq | mu mijjultiwoq | |
3 | mu mijjigw | mu mijji'gw | mu mijjulti'gw |
The word mu signifies negation. When mu is in front of the verb, the verb must also be conjugated in the negative form. In the above table we see the intrusion of the sound u, ew or w. The following table illustrates the endings for the present negative tense, keeping in mind mu must ALWAYS come right before the negated verb. When mu precedes a verb it must ALWAYS be in the negated form.
Below is a table that summarizes the VAI -i stem negative person endings in present conjugation. Inanimate [IN] conjugation was taken from the Micmac Grammar (1976, pg 155).
↓person / number→ | SG | DU | PL | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 13 | -u | - | - |
12 | - | - | ||
2 | - | - | - | |
3.AN | - | - | - | |
3.IN | - | - | - |
The forms for the first person dual and plural in the exclusive and inclusive forms are the same. As shown by other data, the dual form seems to be in the process of disappearing. This is one such example where the dual form does not exist for the plural first person. Some younger speakers do not use the dual form at all so it is not surprising that we find a gap in the dual form here. All this is according to the speaker but if we followed the pattern of the previous forms we would expect the dual form for the inclusive and exclusive first person to be -ieweg. "When the verb is negated, then the -g third person is ALWAYS found" (Micmac Grammar, 1976 pg 93).
Below is a comparison of different verbs to give an idea of how to conjugate different types of verbs in the negated form. All forms are conjugated in the present singular third person animate. The form of -elie- was taken from Micmac Grammar (pg 155). For more detail about these forms see VAI.
VAI stem | Base Form | Gloss | Affirmative | Gloss | Negated | Gloss |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-i | mijji- | eat | mijjit | s/he eats | mu mijjigw | s/he does not eat |
-a | amalga- | dance | amalgat | s/he dances | mu amalgagw | s/he does not dance |
-a'si | ala'si- | go around | ala'sit | s/he goes around | mu ala'sigw | s/he does not go around |
-e | elie- | go | eliet | s/he goes | mu eliegw | s/he does not go |
For verb conjugations in the affirmative please see Mi'kmaq Verb Conjugation. As you can see, this site uses the verb mijisi meaning 'to eat'. In Listuguj this is not used as the word for to eat because it sounds too close for the verb mejisi 'to excrete'.
Transitive
Below is the conjugation in present of a transitive verb that takes an inanimate object.
↓subject / object→ | 0SG | 0PL |
---|---|---|
1 | malqutm | malqutmann |
13 | malqutmeg | malqutmegl |
12 | malqutmu'g | malqutmu'gul |
2 | malqutmn | malqutmnn |
2PL | malqutmoq | malqutmoqol |
3 | malqutmeg | malqutmegl |
3PL | malqutmi'tij | malqutmi'titl |
↓subject / object→ | 0SG | 0PL |
---|---|---|
1 | mu malqutmu | mu malqutmuann |
13 | mu malqutmueg | mu malqutmuegl |
12 | mu malqutmugg | mu malqutmuggul |
2 | mu malqutmu'n | mu malqutmu'nn |
2PL | mu malqutmuoq | mu malqutmuoqol |
3 | mu malqutmug | mu malqutmugul |
3PL | mu malqutmi'tigw | mu malqutmi'tigul |
↓subject / object→ | 0SG | 0PL |
---|---|---|
1 | - | - |
13 | - | - |
12 | ||
2 | - | - |
2PL | - | - |
3 | - | - |
3PL | - | - |
Imperative
Here is the formation of the affirmative imperative:
mijji- "eat" | Singular | Dual | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
2 Second person | mijji | mijjigw | mijjultigw |
Now we compare it to the negated:
mutt mijj- "eat" | Singular | Dual | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
2 Second person | mutt mijjiw | mutt mijjinew | mutt mijjultinew |
Past Tense
Again for the past we compare the past and the negated past.
mijj- "eat" | Singular | Dual | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
1 First person (exclusive) | mijjiap | mijjieg'p | mijjultieg'p |
12 First person (inclusive) | n/a | mijji'gup | mijjulti'gup |
2 Second person | mijjit'p | mijjioqop | mijjultioqop |
3 Third person (animate) | mijjip | mijjipnig | mijjultipnig |
Now let us look at the negated forms.
mijj- "eat" | Singular | Dual | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
1 First person (exclusive) | mu mijjiwap | mu mijjiweg'p | mu mijjultiweg'p |
12 First person (inclusive) | n/a | mu mijjiwgup | mu mijjultiwgup/mijjultiggup |
2 Second person | mu mijjiwt'p | mu mijjiwoqop | mu mijjultiwoqop |
3 Third person (animate) | mu mijjigup | mu mijjigupnig | mu mijjultigupnig |
Thus this would be the conjugation of the negated form:
Negated Past | Singular | Dual | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
1 First person (exclusive) | - | - | - |
12 First person (inclusive) | n/a | - | - |
2 Second person | - | - | - |
3 Third person (animate) | - |
For the third person the -ug'p can change to -weg'p for example:
Mu ala'ti-we-g'p not go-NEG-SG.PAST
'She didn't go'
Future Tense
Affirmative:
mijj- "eat" | Singular | Dual | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
1 First person (exclusive) | mijjit's/mijjia's(List) | mijjitesnen | mijjultitesnen |
12 First person (inclusive) | n/a | mijjitesnu | mijjultitesnu |
2 Second person | mijjit'sg | mijjitoqs'p | mijjultitoqs'p |
3 Third person (animate) | mijjitew | mijjitaq | mijjultitaq |
Negated:
mijj- "eat" | Singular | Dual | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
1 First person (exclusive) | ma' mijjiw | ma' mijjiweg | ma' mijjultiweg |
12 First person (inclusive) | n/a | ma' mijjigw | ma' mijjultigw |
2 Second person | ma' mijjiun | ma' mijjiwoq | ma' mijjultiwoq |
3 Third person (animate) | ma' mijjigw | ma' mijji'gw | ma' mijjulti'gw |
NOTE: In the future the mu changes to ma' !! Like mu, ma must always come before the verb conjugated in the negative future.
Paradigm of the negated endings in the future.
Negated Future | Singular | Dual | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
1 First person (exclusive) | - | - | - |
12 First person (inclusive) | - | - | |
2 Second person | - | ||
3 Third person (animate) |
As you may have noticed the future tense is easy! The verbs take the same endings as the negated present tense but the mu is replaced with ma thus indicating future.
When negation is used
When the verb is negated there must always find a negative particle (like mu or ma). If not the sentence is ungrammatical as shown below:
*gis-wissugwatige-w can-cook.1-NEG
'I cannot cook (intended meaning)'
The only form of the above sentence must be:
ma' gis-wissugwatige-w NEG can-cook.1-NEG
'I cannot cook at this time'
mu gis-wissugwatige-w can-cook.1-NEG
'I am unable to cook (something is preventing me from cooking)'
Thus it is seen that ma' comes before the verb, now making the sentence grammatical.
ma' always precedes the future tense AND when the gis prefix is attached to the verb conjugated in the present for example:
ma' gis-amalga-w-g NEG can-dance-NEG-3
's/he cannot dance'
There are some expressions that always take the negative form of the verb such as me menga (not yet) and mowen (nobody) that take the negative form of the verb: (examples from Mi'gmaq Online Dictionary)
me' mnaq newt ajiegw NEG yet one time-NEG-3
'it is not one o’clock yet'
mu-wen mijji-gw NEG-who eat-NEG-3
'no one is eating'
mu goqwei etn-u-g no thing be-NEG-3
'there is nothing there'
Below is a list of common particles after which the negated form is used. This list is not complete but these are the most common forms.
Particle | When used | Translation |
---|---|---|
mu | before negated present and past | not |
mutt | before negated imperative | do not |
'lpa mu | before negated present and past | not even |
mu wen | before negated present, past and future | no one/nobody |
mu goqwei' | before negated present, past and future | nothing |
me' mnaq | before negated verb | not yet |
ma' | before negated future verb and preverb gis (can) | not |
moqwa' goqwei is also spelled mu goqwei and a variant of this is mu + negated verb + goqwei when used in object position. It is inanimate. As in the following example:
mu malqutm-u goqwei NEG eat.1>0-NEG what
'I eat nothing'
Negative Concord
As can be seen above, Mi'gmaq is a negative concord language. Negative concord is where "double or multiple negative[s] [do] not express an affirmative but a negative" (van der Wouden & Zwarts, 1992). This is similar to French Je n'ai vue personne 'I have seen nobody' where both the ne and personne are both negative but the resulting sentence is negative, rather than each cancelling the other out resulting in a affirmative sentence, i.e. 'I have seen someone'. Mi'gmaq has negation marked in two places with both negative particles, i.e. mu & ma, and a negative conjugation of the verb, i.e. with -u or -w added. Compare examples (10) and (11).
'lpa'tuj eig'-p boy be.there.PST-SG
'the boy was there'
'lpa'tuj mu eimu-g-u-p boy NEG be.there-PST-NEG-SG
'the boy was not there'
Word Order
The negative particle (or possibly affix) mu always appears before the verb it negates. Although words can intervene between mu and the verb it negates, mu must always precede the verb.
Mali mu amal-gag-u-p Mali NEG dance-PAST-NEG-SG
'Mali did not dance'
mu Mali amal-gag-u-p NEG Mali dance-PAST-NEG-SG
'Mali did not dance'
Placement of mu post-verbally results in ungrammaticality, as illustrated below.
'lpa'tuj mu eimug-u-p boy NEG be.there.PST-NEG-SG
'the boy was not there'
Acceptable word orders:
- mu eimugup 'lpa'tuj
- mu 'lpa'tuj eimugup
Unacceptable word orders:
- *eimugup 'lpa'tuj mu
- *eimugup mu 'lpa'tuj
- *'lpa'tuj eimugup mu
Furthermore, with regards to word order, it appears that negation must come right before the constituent it negates. Here is an example sentence without negation:
ula na 'lpa'tuj ta'n egitg'p wi'gatign this DEM boy that read.PST book
'this is the boy that read the book'
If we want to negate the first clause, as to say "This is not the boy that read the book", negation must directly precede 'boy'.
ula na mu 'lpa'tuj ta'n egitg'p wi'gatign this DEM NEG boy that read.PST book
'this is not the boy that read the book'
The following word orders for negation in the first clause are impossible: *TO CHECK
- *ula na 'lpa'tuj mu...
- *ula mu na 'lpa'tuj...
- *mu ula na 'lpa'tuj...
If we want to negate the second clause, as to say "This is the boy that did not read the book", the word order may be varied, as long as negation comes before the verb (as discussed previously).
Scope of Negation
As stated above, mu always comes before the verb. There may be particles that intrude between mu and the negated verb, but as long as mu comes before the negated verb, the structure is grammatical. Micmac Grammar, 1976 Sometimes the meaning of the sentence can change depending on the position of mu.
'gjitm Mali mu amal-gag-u-p possible Mali NEG dance-PST-NEG-SG
'it is true that Mali did not dance'
- CHECK MORE
We would also expect phrases with adverb-like particles translatable as "it is possible" or "it is true" or "it is obvious" would also vary regarding negation.
Language change and negation
Often I was not able to elicit both the dual and plural forms of a verb. There are many times when I could only elicit the dual form, or times when the dual and plural forms were the same. It has been noted by our consultants that younger speakers are not using the plural forms but are using the dual form to mean both dual and plural. This seems be a language change happening currently in the speech community where the younger generation is leading the change. As noted in the paradigm above for 'eat' in the negated present tense, both dual and plural forms are the same. Here it seems that the plural form is used for both dual and plural meanings. This would strongly suggest a change happening in the speech community.
References
Clark, Jeremiah S. "A Dictionary of the Micmac Language." Rand's Micmac Dictionary. Charlottetown, PEI: The Patriot Publishing Company, 1902. Print.
Delisle, Gill L., and Manny L. Metallic. Micmac Teaching Grammar. Ecowi, QC: Thunderbird Press, 1976. Print.
L'Abbe Maillard, M. Grammaire De La Langue Mikmaque. New York: Presse Cramoisy de Jean-Marie Shea, 1864. Print.
Metallic, Janine. "Mi'gmaq Elicitation Session for Field Methods of Linguistics." Ed. Class, Carol Little and LING415. Montreal, QC: n/a, 2011. Print.
Payne, Thomas Edward. Describing Morphosyntax: a Guide for Field Linguists. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge UP, 2008. Print.
Paul-Martin, Patsy. "Mi'kmaq Verb Conjugation." Ed. Orthography, Mi'kmaq Talking Posters Smith/Francis. Truto, NS: Eastern Woodland Print Communications, 2011. Print.
Proulx, Paul. "Proto-Algonquian Verb Inflection." Studies in Native American Languages 15.2 (1990): 100-45. Print.
van der Wouden, Ton, and Frans Zwarts. "Negative Concord." D. Gilbers and S. Looyenga (eds), Language and Cognition 2. Yearbook 1992 Linguistic Theory and Knowledge Representation of the University of Groningen (1992): 317-31. Print.