APiCS Online -

Datapoint Nigerian Pidgin/Uses of the progressive marker

The auxiliary dè is refered to as an incompletive aspect marker in Faraclas (1996).

Example 17-65:: À fò̱ (bin) do̱n (ko̱m) dè wàka finish.
À
1sg.sbj
fò̱
irr
(bin)
(ant)
do̱n
compl1
(ko̱m)
(REALIS)
dè
ncompl
wàka
walk
finish.
compl2
I should have (had) been (actually) walking already.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 73
Example 17-68:: À dè sik.
À
1sg.sbj
dè
ncompl
sik.
be.ill
I am (becoming) sick.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 199
Example 17-69:: Dì pìkín we̱ ìm dè sìdó̱n fò̱r dyar dè rid.
Dì
art.def
pìkín
child
we̱
rel
ìm
3sg.sbj
dè
ncompl
sìdó̱n
sit
fò̱r
loc
dyar
there
dè
ncompl
rid.
read
The child who is sitting / usually sits there is reading / usually reads.
Example 17-70:: À dè wo̱sh plet.
À
1sg.sbj
dè
ncompl
wo̱sh
wash
plet.
plate
I am washing dishes. OR: While I am washing dishes... OR: I wash dishes (every day).

Source: Faraclas 1996: 202-205