Chapter 4 – Animate

Unlike some European languages like French and Spanish which modifies words based on gender, Mi’kmaw words use the same adjective and verb forms regardless of their grammatical gender and instead different Mi’kmaw word forms depend on whether the noun or verb is animate or inanimate [summarized from here: https://www.native-languages.org/mikmaq_animate.htm].  You may be able to tell depending on how the word is pluralized, but when in doubt, seek the assistance of a fluent speaker.  Animate refers to all people, animals, plants, medicines, roots, bugs and other living things (for example an eagle), while inanimate refers to objects which are non-living things (for example an eagle feather).

This poster from the First Nations Help Desk provides examples of animate and inanimate objects.

Optionally read this article, Is the bus alive? Depends where you are: A brief primer on the Mi’kmaw language, to learn about animate and inanimate words in Mi’kmaw. Source: CBC News

		Listen to Bernie Francis, respected Elder and Mi’kmaw lingust, discuss animate and inanimate Mi’kmaw words during a CBC interview: Mi’kmaw language & culture 01 | Bernie Francis on state of the language    Source: CBC News Halifax, December 3, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhaeYE7p1vg   Watch this short Mi’kmaw lesson from language teacher Curtis Michael, to learn about animate and inanimate words in Mi’kmaw.
		Source: CBC News, Jun 21, 2019, dhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYvkKQ4q8l4