a, an and the

The definite article and the indefinite article are demon's gate for people of Japanese. After reading some tips and descriptions about them, I had a gut feeling that I understood well. But actually I didn’t digest at all. I can’t catch what “a”, “an” and “the” mean. What is slippery feeling like this?

This text made me aware of image of the definite article and the indefinite article. It’s written from observer's eye as programmer. That’s right. I think so, too. In English, to refer to instance of something is default. In contrast, in Japanese, to refer to class of something is default. English language doesn’t presuppose to mention a class, but a instance. This metaphor is easily to understand for me. I have felt like that English language rejects to mention abstract something.

Still I think, if exceptional handling are just a few, it’s easy. But really, there are many usages. It’s hard to make the right choice.