Michif French Survival Guide

Let’s Speak Michif (Michif French Edition)

Let's Speak Michif

Let's Speak Michif(Allon parlii michif)

Survival Phrases(Lii fraas survayii)

For learners who want to stay in the language while in the learning environment.(Layz apraanyair kii vou restii daan le laangazh pandaan kii lapraan lenveronmaan.)

Introduction

Let's speak Michif for a little while, okay?(Allon parlii michif pou aniskwiss, ok?)

Yes(Wii)

Okay(Ok)

Seeing, Hearing, and Listening

Seeing

Can you (singular and plural) see me?(Peutchuu mwayr?)

Can you (singular and plural) see it?(Peutchuu leu wayr?)

See you (singular and plural) next time.(On va twayr anot fway.)

Hearing

Can you (singular and plural) hear me?(Peutchuu maataan?)

Yes, I can hear you.(Wii, je peu taataan.)

No, I can’t hear you.(Non, je peu pa taataan.)

I can only hear you a little bit.(Je peu taataand aen pchi peu.)

Do you hear that?(Vtchu aataan sa?)

Can you hear it?(Vtchu aataan sa?)

Yes, I can hear it.(Wii, je peu aataan sa.)

No, I can’t hear it.(Non, je peu pa aataan sa.)

Listening

Listen!(Aykoot!)

Listen carefully.(Aykoot sa comffou.)

Understanding, Knowing, and Remembering

Understanding

Do you (singular and plural) understand?(Vtchu kompraan?)

Yes, I understand.(Wii, je peu kompraan.)

Yes, I understand but I can’t remember the word.(Wii, je peu kompraan may jem rappel pa le moo.)

Yes, but I understand only a little bit.(Wii, may je kompraan aen pchi peu.)

No, I don’t understand.(Non, je kompraan pa.)

Knowing

Do you (singular and plural) know?(Tekanatchu?)

Yes, I know.(Wii, je konnay.)

No, I don’t know.(Non, je konnay pa.)

Remembering

Do you remember?(Taan rapellchii?)

Do any of you (plural) remember?(Inyantuchu vouzootes kii saan rappel?)

Yes, I remember.(Wii, jem rappel.)

No, I can’t remember.(Non, jem rappel pa.)

I know this! But I can’t remember right now.(Je konnay sa! May je peu pa maraplii toot swit.)

Speaking

Please speak to me in the language.(Sil voo play parl moin a la laang.)

Let’s speak Michif only.(Allon parlii Michif toosull.)

Let’s not speak English.(Allon pa parlii aanglayn.)

Ask

Ask me.(Dimaand moin.)

Ask each other.(Dimaand nouzootes.)

Ask me later.(Dimaand moin plu tard.)

Ask that person.(Dimaand set persun.)

Answer

Answer me.(Repoond moin.)

Answer that person.(Repoond set persun.)

Who said?

I said.(Stje djii.)

You said.(Stchu djii.)

She (he) said.(Elle djii - Il djii.)

Practice Speaking

Am I saying this correctly?(Je djii sa koreck?)

Speak to me.(Parl a moin.)

Speak to him/her.(Parl a luwii.)

I want to hear you speak.(Je veu tataand parlii.)

I want to hear you (plural) speak now.(Je veu tataand parlii toot swit.)

Practice asking each other.(Prachtikay a demaandii nouzootes.)

Try speaking to each other.(Assayay parlii a nouzootes.)

Try to say it more quickly.(Assayay djii sa plu vitt.)

Try to say it more slowly.(Assayay djii sa plu laantmaan.)

Repeat - Imitate

Repeat after me.(Repoond apray moin)

Repeat after that person.(Repoon apray set persun.)

Try to sound like that person, or that thing.(Assayay resaamb a set persun, ou set affair.)

Again.(Encor.)

What Does it Mean? - What is this Called?

What does it mean?

What does that mean?(Kesaa sa vtchjiir?)

What does this word mean?(Kesaa se moo la vudjiir?)

What is this called?

What is this called?(Kessaa sa sapell?)

It’s called.(Sa sapell.)

How do you say _____ ?(Comma tchu djii____?)

What is the name of this?(Keskesay le nom de sa?)

What is the name of that?(Keskesay le nom de sa?)

What are those called?(Comma sa sapell?)

This, That, These, and Those

This.(Sa.)

That.(Sa.)

These.(Siizlaa.)

Those.(Siizlaa.)

Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How

Who?

Who?(Kii?)

Who is that?(Kii ay sa?)

What?

What?(Kway?)

What else?(kway doot?)

What about _____ ?(Kway doot?)

What is that?(Keskesay sa?)

What does _____ mean?(Keske sa _____ vudjiir?)

What is the name of this?(Keskesay le nom de sa?)

What is the name of that?(Keskesay le nom de sa?)

I want you to translate what this is _____ .(Je veu ketchu trandwiir a sa _____ .)

Why?

Why?(Poorkway)

When?

When?(Kaan?)

When will you be going?(Kaansay tchu taan va?)

When do you think she will be arriving?(Kaan saytchu paans k’elle va arrivii?)

Where?

Where?(Ou?)

How?

How?(Comma?)

How are you?(Comma sa va?)

How do you say _____ ?(Comma tchu djii _____ ?)

Asking Yes and No Questions

Did you sleep well?(Tachu dormii comfou?)

Is she going to be arriving?(Elle vatchu arrivii?)

Is he going to be arriving?(Ill vatchu arrivii?)

Are you having a good day?(Atchuvu aen bonn zhournii?)

Did it taste good?(Sa tchu gootii bonn?)

Is she cooking it?(Elltchii apray ferr kwiir sa?)

Is he cooking it?(Illtchii apray ferr kwiir sa?)

Did you clean this?(Tatchu netwayii sa?)

Did you hang up your jacket?(Tatchu pandju ton zhilay?)

Did she do her work?(Elle atchu fet son oovrazh?)

Did he do his work?(Ill atchu fet son oovrazh?)

Can you drive me?(Peutchuu condjuire?)

Can you bring that to me?(Peutchu mapportii sa?)

Did you have a good night?(Tatchu voo aen bonn nwii?)

Did you have a good morning?(Tatchu voo aen bonn mataen?)

Drawing

She is drawing a picture.(Elle dessin aen portray.)

He is drawing a picture.(Ill dessin aen portray.)

I will draw a picture.(Je va dessinay aen portray.)

Reading

Read it.(Lii sa.)

She is reading.(Elle liir.)

He is reading.(Ill liir.)

I am reading now.(Je tapray liir la.)

Can you read it?(Peutchuu liir sa?)

Writing

Write it down.(Aycrii sa.)

Can you write it down?(Peutchuu ayrcii sa?)

I should write it down.(Je devray aycrii sa.)

I will write to him.(Je va aycrirr a lwuii.)

I will write to her.(Je va aycrirr a elle.)

I will help him to write it.(Je va aiday luwii a aycrii sa.)

I will help her to write it.(Je va aiday elle a aycrii sa.)

Don’t write it down, just listen.(Aycrii pa sa, juss aykoot.)

A book.(Aen livr.)

A pencil.(Aen kriiyoon.)

A picture.(Aen portray.)

Working On and Making Something

What are you working on?(Kestchu travai la?)

What are you making?(Kestchu fay?)

I am making _____.(Je tapray ferr _____ .)

I am working on _____ .(Je tapray travaii a _____ .)

What is she making?(Keskell tapray ferr?)

What is he making?(Keskill tapray ferr?)

What is she working on?(Keskell tapray travaii a?)

She is making _____ .(Elle tapray ferr _____ .)

He is making _____ .(Ill tapray ferr _____ .)

She is working on _____ .(Elle tapray travaii a _____ .)

He is working on _____ .(Ill tapray travaii a _____ .)

Doing Things

What are you doing?(Keustchu fay?)

What are you guys doing?(Keustchu vouzootes fay la?)

What is she doing?(Keskell tapray ferr?)

What is he doing?(Keskill tapray ferr?)

What are they doing?(Ke son tapray ferr?)

I’ll do it. - I can do it.(Je va ferr.- Je peu ferr.)

I am doing it.(Je tapray ferr.)

I did it already.(Je la fet deja.)

What would you (singular and plural) like to do?(Kesketchu vu ferr?)

Do you (singular and plural) want to _____ ? (Insert verb.)(Vutchu _____ ?)

Did we do this already?(Oun atchu fet sa deja?)

Yes, we did this already.(Wii, onay fet sa deja.)

We did that.(On a fet sa.)

Last week we did that.(La smenn passay on a fet sa.)

Last class (lesson) we did it.(La denyayr claus onay fet sa.)

No, we haven’t done it yet.(Non, onna pa fet sa encor.)

Not yet.(Pa too switt.)

Taking a Break

Should we keep going?(On vatchu contchunwiir?)

Yes, let’s keep going.(Wii, on va contchunwiir.)

It would be good to have a break.(Sasra bonn dawayr aen repose.)

I need a break.(Jem de sa dwayr aen repose.)

My mind is full.(Ma saarvay ay plenn.)

I’m tired. I need to rest.(Jui fatigue. Je bezwenn aen repose.)

I’ll be right back.(Je va veniir toot switt.)

I’ll be right there.(Je va et la toot switt.)

Do you want something - Do you need anything?(Vtchu awayr keukshouz?)

Are you thirsty?(Tatchu sweff?)

Do you want something to drink?(Vtchu awayr keukshouz poo bwair?)

Yes, I am thirsty.(Wii, ja sweff.)

No, I am not thirsty.(Non, ja pa sweff.)

Interacting During Breaks

Are you hungry?(Atchu faen?)

Would you like something to eat?(Vtchu awayr keushouz poo maanzhii?)

Do you want some more?(Vtchu navwayr doot?)

I am hungry.(Ja faen.)

No, I’m not hungry.(Non, ja pa faen.)

Do you want to lie down?(Vtchu terr poosii?)

I want to lie down for a little bit.(Je veu meu repoosii aen pchi peu.)

I want to rest a little.(Je veu meu repoosii aen pchi peu.)

Where is the washroom?(Ou ay la klaazet?)

How are you feeling?

How are you (singular and plural) feeling?(Comma tchu fill?)

I’m feeling great!(Je fill baen!)

I’m feeling excited!(Je fill exsitii!)

I’m learning a lot.(J’apraan aen mass.)

I’m grateful.(Jswii rekonasaant.)

I’m feeling frustrated.(Je fill shawkay.)

I’m sad.(Shwii trist.)

I just need a moment alone.(Ja bwaswaen aen taan toot sull.)

I would like to speak to someone.(Jem reh sa parlii a kellkenn.)

Lots and a Little

Some more.(Awayr pluus.)

A little bit.(Aen pchii peu.)

More than one.(Pluus kiiaen.)

Lots.(Aen maas.)

A little more.(Aen pchi pluus.)

Expressing Uncertainty

Almost.(Kaaziimaan.)

I wonder.(J’paans.)

I’m not sure.(J’pa sertaen.)

I’m not sure when.(J’pa sertaen kaan.)

I’m not sure where it is.(J’pa sertaen ovous kesay.)

I’m not sure which one.(J’pa sertaen kell say.)

Maybe - Perhaps - Possibly.(Ted bayn.)

No, not really.(Non, pa sertaen.)

Not yet.(Pa toot swit.)

Directions

Up - Above.(Aen layr - oudissu.)

Down - Below.(Aen baa.)

East.(Lest.)

South.(Sud.)

West.(Louest.)

North.(Norr.)

Right (direction).(Adret.)

Left (direction).(Goosh.)

Locations

Near.(Prush.)

Far.(Luwein.)

Here.(Icit.)

There.(La.)

Over there.(La baa.)

Over here.(Si t’icit.)

Under.(Aantsour.)

Behind.(Annaryayr.)

Beside.(Aukooti.)

In front of.(Sit t’aanavaan.)

On top of.(Paar dissu.)

Inside.(Didaan.)

In between.(Daan milluu.)

In the middle.(Daan milluu.)

Out and About

Follow me.(Swii moin.)

I will follow you.(J’va tswayr.)

Let's walk this way.(J’va maarshay la baa.)

Let's go left.(Allon a goosh.)

Let's go right.(Allon a dret.)

Let’s stop here for a little while.(Allon araytii icit pour aen pchit kous.)

Let’s sit here for a bit.(Allon sasiir icit pour aen pchit eskous.)

Help

Help me!(Aide moin!)

Help us!(Aide nou!)

Help her.(Aide la.)

Let's help her.(Allon l’aidii.)

Let's help them.(Allon lwii z’aidii.)

Can I help you?(Peutchu t’aidii?)

Can you help him?(Peutchu l’aidii?)

Can you help her?(Peutchu la aidii?)

Bring It

Bring me something.(Emmen moin keukshouz.)

Choose One

Choose one.(Shwoosiir aen.)

Choose the one you think is correct.(Shwoosiir aen ketchu paans kii koreck.)

Choose several.(Shwoosiir plussyeur.)

Choose lots.(Shwoosiir aen mass.)

Give It

Give it to me.(Denni moin sa.)

Give it to that person.(Denn sa a set persun.)

Give it to him.(Denn sa a lwii.)

Give it to her.(Denn sa a elle.)

Hand it to me.(Denn moin sa.)

Pass it here.(Paas sa icit.)

Wait

Wait.(Ataan.)

Wait for me.(Ataan pour moin.)

Wait for him.(Ataan pour lwii.)

Wait for them.(Ataan pour lizoutes.)

Let's Eat - Clean up - Do Dishes

Let's eat.(Allon maanzhii.)

Let's clean up.(Allon netwayii.)

Let's do the dishes.(Allon ferr la visel.)

Show Me

Show me.(Mont moin.)

Try it!

Try it!(Assay sa!)

Let's try it!(Allon assayii sa!)

You all try it!(Vouz atoot assayii sa!)

Playing Games

Do you want to play a game?(Vtchu zhwiir aen zhoo?)

Let's play a game.(Allon zhwiir aen zhoo.)

What game do you want to play?(Kell zhoo tchu vu zhwiir?)

Do you know how to play this game?(Konnaytchu zhwiir si zhoo la?)

We will play in teams.(On va zhwiir aen chimm.)

Let's play cards.(Allon zhwiir ou kaarts.)

Whose turn is it? - Who is next?(Stonn tour?)

It's my turn. - I'm next.(Say mon tour.)

It's your turn. - You're next.(Say ton tour.)

It's his turn. - He is next.(Say son tour.)

It's her turn. - She is next.(Say tell son tour.)

It's their turn.(Say lou tour.)

Playing Games Continued

Pick it up.(Ramaas sa.)

Write your score down.(Aycrii tay pwoin.)

All of you, write down your scores.(Toot vouzoute, aycrii vu pwoin.)

Throw it.(Garosh sa.)

Catch it.(Puyay sa.)

Cards.(Kaarts.)

Dice.(Dii.)

She won!(Elle ay gaanyii!)

He won!(Ill ay gaanyii!)

They won!(Ill zon gaanyii!)

Ending Class

We will end it for the day.(On va finnir pour la zhournii.)

I have to go now.(Ill fou j’ma va.)

What day (date) is the next class?(Kell zhournii ay la dat pour la proshenn clauss?)

What time is the next class?(Kell eurr ay la proshenn clauss?)

We won't be having class next week.(On na pa de clauss pour la smenn proshenn.)

I won't be in class next week.(Jra pa daan la clauss la smenn prosheen.)

Thank you (me to you).(Maarsii.)

Thank you everyone (me to you plural).(Maarsii toot le moond.)

See you all next time (me to you plural).(On va toot vou wayr aen noot fway.)

See you next time (me to you singular).(On va vou wayr aen noot fway.)

Topics for One-on-One Immersion

Topics for One-on-One Immersion Part 1

Tell me a story about yourself, maybe your first childhood memory?(Djii moin enn histwayr de tway, ted bayn la premyayr memwayr daanfaan?)

Tell me a story of when you were little, what did you eat?(Djii moin enn histwayr kaan j’tay pchit, kwesta maanzhii?)

Tell me a story of when you were little, what did you do for fun?(Djii moin enn histwayr kaan j’tay pchit, kwesta fet pour ta musii?)

Tell me a story of when you were little, where did you live?(Djii moin enn histwayr kaan j’tay pchit, iivousta restay?)

Tell me a story about your grandma.(Djii moin enn histwayr de ta maymair.)

Tell me a story about your favourite aunt.(Djii moin enn histwayr de ta meyeur taant.)

Tell me a story about your grandpa.(Djii moin enn histwayr de ton paypair.)

Tell me a story about your favourite uncle.(Djii moin enn histwayr de ton meyeur oonk.)

Tell me a story about your cousins (male).(Djii moin enn histwayr de tay kouzzin.)

Tell me a story about you and your best friend.(Djii moin enn histwayr de tway ay ton meyeur aamii.)

Tell me an unusual story.(Djii moin enn histwayr par koonaab.)

Tell me about your parents.(Djii moin keukshouz de tii paraan.)

Topics for One-on-One Immersion Part 2

Tell me more about your mom.(Djii moin keukshouz de ta mawmaw.)

Tell me more about your dad.(Djii moin keukshouz de ton papa.)

Tell me about your siblings.(Djii moin keukshouz de tay frayr pwii tay seur.)

What is a favourite memory of yours?(Kesay ta meyeur memwayr de tway?)

Let's go for a drive together.(Allon va pour aen voyaazh aansaamb.)

Let’s look through these photos together.(Allon gardii lay portray aansaamb.)

Let's cook together.(Allon kwiir aansaamb.)

Let's play cards.(Allon zhwiir lii kaarts.)

Let’s play checkers or chess.(Allon zhwiir checkers ou chess.)

Let’s sit outside and describe what you see.(Allon sasiir dahor pwii gaardii kes konn way.)

Let’s sit outside by a fire and learn the terminology for making and building a fire.(Allon sasiir dahor pray dju fue pwii apraand le moo kommaan ferr aen botchuus a feu.)

Topics for One-on-One Immersion Part 3

Let’s go berry picking and you can teach me the terms in Michif for the process.(Allon raamaasii lii grenn pwii tou montrii le moo aen Michif pour comma le ferr.)

Let’s go visiting your relatives and I will sit and listen.(Allon s’promnii sur la paraantii pwii sasiir ay aykootii.)

Let’s go to the feast together and I will sit and listen.(Allon aansaamb a le gross festaen pwii sasiir ay aykootii.)

Let’s make soup and bannock and I will learn the terms for the process.(Allon ferr la soup pwii la gallette ay j’apraand le moo pour comma le ferr.)

Can you show me how to sew and speak Michif?(Peutchuu montrii comma kood ay parlii Michif?)

Can you show me how to knit and speak Michif?(Peutchuu montrii comma trikootii ay parlii Michif?)

Can you show me how to bead and speak Michif?(Peutchuu montrii comma ferr lii rasaad ay parlii Michif?)

Can you show me how to embroider and speak Michif?(Peutchuu montrii comma brawdii ay parlii Michif?)

Can you show me how to make _____ and speak Michif?(Peutchuu montrii comma ferr ______ ay parlii Michif?)

I will wash your laundry, but help me identify and learn the terminology about clothes, the washing machine and dryer.(Ja va laavay ton bitayn, pwii ja vat montrii comma djii le moo de ton laenzh, la maashinn a lavay ay la corr de laenzh.)

Topics for One-on-One Immersion Part 4

I will wash your dishes but help me identify the words for dishes and the kitchen.(J’va laavay ta visel, pwii mont moin le moo pour la visel ay la kwiizin.)

I will clean your house, but help me learn the words for sweeping, broom, vacuum, rug and wiping.(J’va netwayii ton mayzoon, pwii mont moin le moo balyii, balay, vacuum, tapii pwii ayswyii.)

I will rake and clean the yard, but help me identify the items needed for this type of work, leaves, rake, grass, chilly outside, etc.(J’va raatii pwii netwayii la koor, may mont moin le moo pour lii zaafayr pour le travail, feuay, raatou, fwaen, pwii ill fay fret dahor.)

I will take you to go and buy groceries, but teach me the language for the food items.(On va taamnii ashtii lii komisonn, pwii mont moin a parlii la laang pour lii komisonn.)

I will take you to the bank, but can you teach me the terms for banking, money, change, bag, wallet, and bank card?(On va taamnii a la baank, pwii mont moin le moo pour baankii, laarzhan, le shaanzh, de saak, bors, ay sa kaatr de baank?)

Can we look at this picture book and can you describe what it is you see?(Peutchu gaardii le liivr de portray pwii montrii keustchu way?)

Can you describe the weather for me, if it is sunny, rainy, snowing, dry, hot, thundering, etc.?(Peutchu montrii le taan pour moin, sii kil fay salayii, moyii, la niizh, sesh, shou, toneur, etc?)