Datapoint Bislama/Definite articles

N + ia cannot be used in associative contexts as described in the examples for this feature.

As Examples 56, 57 and 58 show, N + ia can refer to a definite/specific NP or be used as a demonstrative with accompanying demonstration.

Values

No definite article, but indefinite article

Example 23-56:
haos ia longwe i bigwan moa
haos
house
ia
def
longwe
there
i
agr
bigwan
big
moa
more
That/The house over there is bigger [than the one I’m talking about].

Source: Meyerhoff nd

Example 23-57:
long ples ia oli putum wan samting [...]
long
loc
ples
place
ia
def
oli
agr
putum
put
wan
indf
samting
something
[...]
[...]
They put something here (in this place) [...].

Source: Meyerhoff nd

Example 23-58:
mifala i stap talem wan gel ia hem i bin bon long faea
mifala
1pl.excl
i
agr
stap
prog
talem
tell
wan
indf
gel
girl
ia
def
hem
3sg
i
agr
bin
ant
bon
burn
long
loc
faea
fire
We're talking about this girl who was burnt in a fire.

Source: Meyerhoff nd

Confidence:
Intermediate