Using le, la, les with titles, languages and academic subjects (definite articles)

Sorry, I used some punctuation which seems to have removed some of my question.

I am confused about how to tell if "l'histoire" means the story or history (the academic subject).

I suspect only context will tell you.

Hi Deborah,

Here they were school subjects -

History as opposed to Maths.

Hi Jocelyn,

the "de" after "pas" is used when you are expressing, e.g., that you don't have something of something. For example:

Il n'y a plus de sucre. -- There is no more (of) sugar.
Elle ne boit pas d'alcool. -- She drinks not of the alcohol. (literally)

But in the example you quote, "Ils ne parlent pas l'espagnol." There is no larger thing of which the language Spanish would be part of. It is an indivisible entity. Hence no "de".

-- Chris (not a native speaker).

Bonjour Jocelyn !

To complete Chris's answer, only partitive articles (du, de la, de l', des) and indefinite articles (un, une, des) become de or d' in a negative sentence.

It doesn't apply to definite articles (le, la, l', les) or zero articles, hence: 

Have a look at our related lessons:

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/the-partitive-article-in-negative-sentences

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/un-and-une-become-de-or-d-in-negative-sentences-indefinite-article

Bonne journée !

Bonjour Susan !

That's a very good question indeed!

Here is the answer, concerning président :

- When you're not addressing them personally, there won't be a capital letter:
Le président Hollande visite l'Angleterre.

- When you're addressing them personally, you will use what we call the "majuscule de courtoisie" (politeness capital letter).
Monsieur le Président, je vous écris...

I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !