What You Will Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to use the definite article to add emphasis or specificity to certain words of place and direction.
Now, you don't have to use definite articles in this way when you are speaking Creole. However, using them can make the location more specific or add emphasis to what you are saying.
Remember, Creole has five singular forms of the definite article. They are a, la, an, lan, and nan. The plural definite article is yo.
To have a better understanding of this, you should first check our lesson on using definite articles in Creole. This is because the same pronunciation rules for choosing among a, la, an, lan, and nan still apply.
Emphasizing Words of Place and Direction
Use a definite article after certain words of place or direction to make the location more specific or to add emphasis.
Common words of place or direction in Creole are anndan (inside), deyò (outside), anba (under / below), etc.
As an example, suppose that you want to say The chair is inside in Creole. The standard way of saying that is simply Chèz la anndan.
But you can use a definite article after the word anndan (inside) to add emphasis to the location. In that case, it would be Chèz la anndan an.
Consider These Examples
1. The box is inside
• Bwat la anndan
• Bwat la anndan an
2. The dog is outside
• Chen an deyò
• Chen an deyò a
3. It will go down
• Li pral anba
• Li pral anba a
When You Need to Be Careful
You can mainly use the definite article this way when the word of place or direction stands on its own and is not followed directly by a noun.
Consider These Examples
1. The box is inside the house
Right: Bwat la anndan kay la
Wrong: Bwat la anndan an kay la
2. The dog is outside the cage
Right: Chen an deyò kaj la
Wrong: Chen an deyò a kaj la
3. It will go under the table
Right: Li pral anba tab la
Wrong: Li pral anba a tab la