Datapoint Early Sranan/Generic noun phrases in subject function

Value 2 (& 5):
As number is never marked on the noun itself, bare nouns, lacking an article, are neutral with regard to number.

Although we do not exclude the possibility, we did not find a proper example with a singular definite article (Value 4)

The definite plural article (Value 7) is extremely rare in this context; the indefinite singular article (Value 8) less so.

Values

Bare singular noun phrase in languages with definite article Frequency: 77.8%

Example 1-86:
Sarki swali somma; a hali somma go na inni watra.
Sarki
shark
swari
swallow
soma;
person
a
3sg.sbj
hari
pull
soma
person
go
go
na
loc
ini
in(side)
watra.
water
(A) shark(s) swallow(s) people; it pulls people into the water.

Source: Schumann 1783: 83

Example 1-87:
Sikiman no musse jam, ma a musse dringi pappa.
Sikiman
sick.nmlz
no
neg
musu
must
nyan,
eat
ma
but
a
3sg.sbj
musu
must
dringi
drink
papa.
porridge
A sick person should not eat, but s/he should drink porridge.

Source: Schumann 1783: 130

Example 1-88:
Paramakka no fütti Bakkra belle, a tranga tumussi: Ningre kann jam hem.
Paramaka
paramaka
no
neg
fiti
be.fitting
bakra
white
beri,
stomach
a
3sg.sbj
tranga
be.strong
tumusi:
excessively
Nengre
black
kan
can
nyan
eat
en.
3sg
Paramaka (fruit) is not good for European stomachs, it is too strong. Blacks can eat it.

Source: Schumann 1783: 130

Confidence:
Very certain

Singular noun phrase with indefinite articles Frequency: 11.1%

Example 1-79:
Wan hessi hessi lobbi no bun, a no holi langa.
Wan
indf.sg
hesi~hesi
quick.red
lobi
love
no
neg
bun,
be.good
a
3sg.sbj
no
neg
hori
hold
langa.
long
Fast love is no good, it will not last long.
German: Schnelle Liebe taugt nicht, u[nd] hält nicht Stich. [op.cit.]

Source: Schumann 1783: 66

Confidence:
Very certain

Plural noun phrase with definite article Frequency: 11.1%

Example 1-89:
Dem retiwan no du ougrisanni.
Den
det.pl
retiwan
right.one
no
neg
du
do
ogrisani.
evil.thing
The righteous don't do harm.
German: Die rechtschaffenen thun nicht böses. [op.cit.]

Source: Schumann 1783: 195

Confidence:
Very certain