Let's do an experiment. This is the definition of "the" from dictionary.com,
and my comments on where "the" corresponds to {le} and where it does not:
> Used before singular or plural nouns and noun phrases that denote
> particular, specified persons or things: the baby; the dress I wore.
Yes, that's what {le} is for.
> Used before a noun, and generally stressed, to emphasize one of a group
> or type as the most outstanding or prominent: considered Lake Shore Drive
> to be the neighborhood to live in these days.
No, {le} won't do for that.
> Used to indicate uniqueness: the Prince of Wales; the moon.
{le} can be used there, but it won't really indicate uniqueness.
{lo pa} is better to indicate that.
> Used before nouns that designate natural phenomena or points of the
> compass: the weather; a wind from the south.
No, plain {lo} will do.
> Used as the equivalent of a possessive adjective before names of some
> parts of the body: grab him by the neck; an infection of the hand.
Can be used there, but plain {lo} will do.
> Used before a noun specifying a field of endeavor: the law; the film industry;
> the stage.
No, plain {lo} is better.
> Used before a proper name, as of a monument or ship: the Alamo; the Titanic.
No, that's {la}.
> Used before the plural form of a numeral denoting a specific decade of a
> century or of a life span: rural life in the Thirties.
Doubtful. Plain {lo} would probably do.
> Used before a singular noun indicating that the noun is generic: The wolf
> is an endangered species.
No, that's {lo}.
> Used before an adjective extending it to signify a class and giving it the
> function of a noun: the rich; the dead; the homeless.
No, that's {lo}.
> Used before an absolute adjective: the best we can offer.
That's {lo}.
> Used before a present participle, signifying the action in the abstract:
> the weaving of rugs.
That's {lo nu}.
> Used before a noun with the force of per: cherries at $1.50 the box.
No, that needs some other construction.
So {le} is "used before singular or plural (no difference in Lojban) nouns
and noun phrases that denote particular, specified persons or things:
the baby; the dress I wore." All the other functions that "the" has in English
are left to {lo} or to something else.
mu'o mi'e xorxes
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