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Michif language

Michif is the indigenous language of the Métis people of Canada. Michif (also spelled Mechif) emerged over two hundred years ago as a pidgin language, combining Cree and French, with some additional borrowing from English and First Nation languages such as Ojibway and Assiniboine[?]. Michif has two dialects: Michif-Cree and Michif-Saulteaux. In general, Michif-Cree nouns (and their associated grammar) are French, while verbs (and their associated grammar) are Cree.

Once widely spoken, the language is on the verge of extinction, with only about 1,000 native speakers left.



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