Datapoint Singlish/Position of definite article in the noun phrase

Definite articles have been observed to be optional in usage, but the conditions for this are unclear.

Values

Definite article is preposed

Example 21-14:
Lastime the photo they don’t have the technology, you see.
Lastime
pst
the
det
photo
photo
they
3pl
don’t
do.neg
have
have
the
det
technology,
technology
you
2sg
see.
see
In the past, they didn’t have the technology for photos, you see.

Source: Fong 2004: 81

Example 21-15:
Please open window.
Please
please
open
open
window.
window
Please open the window.

Source: Wee and Ansaldo 2004: 61

Confidence:
Very certain