Datapoint Ghanaian Pidgin English/Existential verb and transitive possession verb

Existence of an entity is expressed by the existential copula de.

Values

Differentiation

Example 16-104:
rod no de dɛ bifɔ; bat nau rod de
rod
road
no
neg
de
cop
dɛ
dem
bifɔ;
before
bat
but
nau
now
rod
road
de
cop
There was no road there before. But now there is a road.

Source: Huber 1999: 235

Example 16-105:
mi à no gɛt mɔni fɔ transpɔt o
mi
1sg
à
1sg
no
neg
gɛt
get
mɔni
money
fɔ
for
transpɔt
transport
o
emph
I don't have money for transportation.

Source: Huber 1999: 192

Confidence:
Certain