In English, the definite article, "the" is a separate word which never changes for gender or number.
In Italian, the situation is similar, but the single word does change for gender and number "il, lo, l'" for masculine singular, and so forth.
In Arbëresh, however, the definite article becomes part of the noun itself, and specifies not only gender and number, but also case, or its function in the sentance.

Let's take libër, meaning 'book', as an example

• libër means 'book' as the subject or object of a sentance, in which case it would usually be preceded by 'një', meaning 'a, an, one'. This form is called the 'Nominative Indefinite Singular' if it's used as the subject, 'Accusative Indefinite Singular' if it's used as the object.
• libri means 'the book' as the subject of a sentance. This form is called the 'Nominative Definite Singular'
• librin means 'the book' as the object of a sentance. This form is called the 'Accusative Definite Singular'

OK. So let's use them in a sentence.

Unë kam një libër.	I have a book.
Unë kam librin.	I have the book.
Një libër është këtu.	A book is here.
Libri është këtu.	The book is here.

Libër is an example of a masculine noun. There are also feminine nouns, like motrë, meaning 'sister'.

• motrë means 'sister' as the subject or object of a sentance, in which case it would usually be preceded by 'një', meaning 'a, an, one'. This form is called the 'Nominative Indefinite Singular' if it's used as the subject, 'Accusative Indefinite Singular' if it's used as the object.
• motra means 'the sister' as the subject of a sentance. This form is called the 'Nominative Definite Singular'
• motrën means 'the sister' as the object of a sentance. This form is called the 'Accusative Definite Singular'

So, now we know the basics of subject and object. But what about the other noun functions in a sentance? The form for that is called the Dative, and it's formed like this:

• for the definite dative of masculine nouns, take the definite accusative, and replace the 'n' in the ending with a 't'
• for the indefinite dative of masculine nouns, the form is the same as the definite nominative. Easy, huh?
• for the definite dative of feminine nouns, the 'n' in the definite accusative becomes an 's'
• for the indefinite dative of feminine nouns, take the definite nominative and change the final 'a' to an 'e'