Datapoint Cape Verdean Creole of Santiago/Definite articles

Numerous examples in which a noun without determiner shows definite reference show that the Creole of Santiago does not have a true definite article in its system. Occasionally we find a demonstrative adjective (usually kel) where languages that have a definite article would use it, also in associative contexts.

Values

Definite article identical to a demonstrative

Example 30-19:
Bá la na kuxera, djobe kel kabálu más mufinu ki sta la, bu ben ku el.
Bá
go
la
there
na=kuxera,
in=stable
djobe
search
kel=kabálu
dem.sg=horse
más
most
mufinu
bad
ki=sta
comp=be
la,
there
bu=ben
2sg=come
ku=el.
with=3sg
Go into the stable there, look for the worst horse that is there, and bring it here.
German: Geh in den Stall dort, such das schlechteste Pferd, das dort ist, und komm mit ihm.

Source: da Silva 1987: 89

Example 30-63:
Nha-Tiu, grexa nobu ta nagurádu oxi.
Nha-Tiu,
My-Uncle
grexa
church
nobu
new
ta=nagurá-du
ipfv=inaugurate-pass
oxi.
today
My Uncle, the new church will be inaugurated today.

Source: da Silva 1987: 328

Example 30-64:
Tenba un ómi propetári riku ki ta morába la na rubera di Njenhu. Kel ómi li si nómi éra Zé Manel, el éra [...].
Ten-ba
have-ant
un=ómi
a=man
propetári
owner
riku
rich
ki=ta=morá-ba
comp=ipfv=live-ant
la
there
na=rubera
in=valley
di=Njenhu.
of=Njenhu
Kel=ómi
dem.sg=man
li
here
si=nómi
3sg.poss=name
éra
be.ant
Zé
Zé
Manel,
Manel
el=éra
3sg=be.ant
[...].
[...]
There was a rich owner, who lived in Njenhu valley. This man was called Zé Manel, he was [...].
German: Es war einmal ein reicher Eigentümer, der im Njenhu-Tal wohnte. Der Name dieses Mannes war Zé Manel, er war [...].

Source: da Silva 1987: 56

Confidence:
Certain