[Grammar] a light vs light

[translatorjam]

Thit line is from the 'le petit prince' and it says,
" I was very surprised to see a light break over the face of my young judge ."

Here, I'm guessing that light is considered a countable noun because it is a specific light ray on his face,
but if it is, shouldn't it be 'the' instead of 'a'?

Could someone clarify this?
Thank you in advance!

 

[bhaisahab]

Thit line is from the 'le petit prince' and it says,
" I was very surprised to see a light break over the face of my young judge ."

Here, I'm guessing that light is considered a countable noun because it is a specific light ray on his face,
but if it is, shouldn't it be 'the' instead of 'a'?

Could someone clarify this?
Thank you in advance!

It's OK as it is.

 

[translatorjam]

Could you please explain why it is okay to use 'a'?
As a non- native speaker, it is very hard to know when to use 'a' and 'the'... thank you.

 

[probus]

I don't think this has anything to do with countability.

Since the passage concerns a trial, I will try this.

If you said the light broke, it would mean that the judge had suddenly seen enough to make up his or her mind. But if you said a light broke, it would merely mean that the judge had understood something favourable to your cause.

 

[translatorjam]

Thank you