Michif: Difference between revisions

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The word Michif is from a variant pronunciation of the French word "Métis". Some Métis people prefer this word (Michif) to describe their nationality when speaking English and use it for anything related to Métis people, including any languages they happen to speak. According to the [[Gabriel Dumont Institute]] (GDI), the word "Michif", when used for a language, is used to describe at least three distinct types of speech. "Northern Michif" (in Saskatchewan) is essentially a [[Cree language|variety of Cree]] with a small number of French [[loanwords]]. "[[Michif French]]" is a variety of [[Canadian French]] with some Cree loanwords and [[syntax]] (word order). "Michif" used without any qualification can also describe the [[mixed language]] which borrows heavily from both Cree and French. According to theories of [[self-determination]] and [[self-identification]], the GDI refers to ''all'' of these speech varieties as "Michif" because many Métis community members use the term that way, even though these varieties are widely different in their linguistic details.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metismuseum.ca/browse/index.php?id=37|title=The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture|website=Metismuseum.ca}}</ref> The remainder of this article deals primarily with the mixed language that has many features from both French and Cree.