Datapoint Berbice Dutch/Definite articles

The anaphoric type of unique identifiability, which is discourse-based, involves the use of the prenominal definite determiner di. Where the unique identifiability of a referent is based on cultural or pragmatic knowledge, it is signalled by a null definite determiner. Finally, the definite article can also be used with generic reference. See Kouwenberg (2007) for discussion.

Values

Definite article distinct from demonstratives

Example 28-58:
di tau bititɛ ʃi fingri an o dototɛ
di
the
tau
snake
biti-tɛ
bite-pfv
ʃi
3sg.poss
fingri
finger
an
and
o
3sg
doto-tɛ
die-pfv
The snake bit his finger and he died.

Source: Kouwenberg 2007: 442

Confidence:
Very certain