Datapoint Sango/Position of definite article in the noun phrase

I'm not sure that ni (H tone) should be called a definite article. It does, however, single out a nominal that has already been introduced in the discourse (and presumably known in the context), as with i in Gbaya. However, because of what I consider its excessive use I think that ni is not being used rigorously in the old way. I suspect that change is taking place under the influence of French. On the other hand, I should think that more research on the use of ni today would teach me a lot.

Values

Definite article is postposed

Example 59-36:
lakwe na bi aga ake menase lo, kogara ti lo ni ae ga amenase lo ngbii
lakwe
always
na
prep
bi
night
a-ga
pm-come
a-ke
pm-cop
menase
threaten
lo,
3sg
kogara
in-law
ti
of
lo
3sg
ni
det
a-yeke
pm-cop
ga
come
a-menase
pm-threaten
lo
3sg
ngbii
long.time
Every night he came and threatened her, her son-in-law came and threatened her for a long time.

Source: nd

Example 59-37:
ata ti lo ni angba azingo
ata
grandparent
ti
of
lo
3sg
ni
det
a-ngba
pm-remain
a-zingo
pm-awaken
Her grandmother suddenly woke up.
Example 59-38:
kogara ti lo ni aten toon'so awe, [...]
kogara
in-law
ti
of
lo
3sg
ni
det
a-tene
pm-say
tongaso
thus
awe,
already
[...]
[...]
After his mother-in-law had spoken thusly, [...].
Example 59-39:
ndo ni avoko toon’so, [...] melenge ti lo ni aleke place
ndo
place
ni
det
avoko
sm.become.dark
tongaso,
thus
[...]
[...]
melenge
child
ti
of
lo
3sg
ni
det
aleke
sm.prepare
<place>
place
After it had become dark, [...] her child prepared a place (to sleep).
Example 59-40:
amu mafuta ti zo ni amu na lo
amu
sm.take
mafuta
fat
ti
of
zo
person
ni
det
amu
sm.give
na
prep
lo
3sg
He took the human fatty meat and gave it to her.

Source: nd

Confidence:
Very certain