Paper Info
Title
On the Computational Modelling of Michif Verbal Morphology.
Abstract
This paper presents a finite-state computational model of the verbal morphology of Michif. Michif, the official language of the Metis peoples, is a uniquely mixed language with Algonquian and French origins. It is spoken across the Metis homelands in what is now called Canada and the United States, but it is highly endangered with less than 100 speakers. The verbal morphology is remarkably complex, as the already polysynthetic Algonquian patterns are combined with French elements and unique morpho-phonological interactions.The model presented in this paper, LI VERB KAA-OOSHITAHK DI MICHIF handles this complexity by using a series of composed finite-state transducers to model the concatenative morphology and phonological rule alternations that are unique to Michif. Such a rule-based approach is necessary as there is insufficient language data for an approach that uses machine learning. A language model such as LI VERB KAA-OOSHITAHK DI MICHIF furthers the goals of Indigenous computational linguistics in Canada while also supporting the creation of tools for documentation, education, and revitalization that are desired by the Metis community.
Year
Venue
DocType
2021
EACL
Conference
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
0
0.34
0
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Fineen Davis100.68
Eddie Antonio Santos2262.84
Heather Souter300.68