Demonstrative pronouns stand in for a person, place or thing that must be pointed to. They may function as subjects, objects or objects of the preposition. Trinidad French Creole has two demonstrative pronouns sala (sah-lah) is the most common form while sa-a (sah-ah) is less commonly used. Both forms are completely interchangeable.
Sa-a = demonstrative indicator (sa) + the definite article (a)
Sala = demonstrative indicator (sa) fused with the definite article (la)
We say sa a or sala when it's used as a demonstrative adjective or a pronoun to identify a specific person or thing. It may very well be translated as this one or that one.
Sa-a or Sala is used for singular demonstrative adjectives
This/that chick (girl) - djal sala or djal sa-a
This/that star - zétwal sala or zétwal sa-a
This/that cloud - niyaj sala or niyaj sa-a
This/that cup - tas sala or tas sa-a
In the plural form, the plural marker sé (say) is placed BEFORE the noun with the demonstrative indicator placed AFTER the noun
These/those days - sé jou sala or sé jou sa-a
These/those dresses - sé wòb sala or sé wòb sa-a
These/those snacks - sé kolasyon sala or sé kolasyon sa-a
These/ those people - sé moun sala or sé moun sa-a
Sa-a and sala can also be used for singular demonstrative pronouns, in these cases the demonstrative indicator stands by itself.
sa-a/sala pli bon - This one/that one is better
sa-a/sala pli mal - This one/that one is worse
sa-a/sala kasé - This one/ that one is broken
In the plural form, the plural marker sé (say) is placed BEFORE the noun with the demonstrative indicator placed directly after it.
sé sa-a/sé sala pli bon - These/those are better
sé sa-a/sé sala pli mal - These/those are worse
sé sa-a/sé sala kasé - These/those are broken
pa touché sé sa-a, yo mouyé - Don't touch those, they're wet.
Sa-a and sala can also be used as singular demonstrative pronouns.
Mwen vlé sa-a/sala - I want this one
Kité sa-a/sala pou mwen Leave that one for me
Mwen enmen sa-a/sala - I like that one.
