Usos del "THE" inglés.

●  Last (next) week – la semana pasada (la próxima)

Last year. El año pasado

Next year. El año próximo (que viene)

I did it last Tuesday. Lo hice el martes pasado

● THE.  Comparemos:

(En general) English is difficult. Sugar is good. I study French.

BUT:

(Particular, especial) The English I study is American. The sugar you bought is expensive. The French she speaks is easy to understand.

Supongo que por influencia del español, oímos a norteamericanos decir: The animals are happier in the forest, en vez de Animals are happier in the forest