The current state of the Ainu language

Abstract

Abstract In describing the Ainu people and the Ainu language, we consider the new political empowerment of this group and its current language revival. After detailing the present location of the Ainu and the former extent of their country, diere follows a brief review of the published literature in (the) Ainu (language) or on (the) Ainu (people), and of audio recordings and broadcasts of Ainu speech. Theories of genetic affiliation are discussed, and the importance of Ainu as a window into world linguistic history is recognised. The social and political consciousness raising, which is now fuelling the Ainu language revival, is cited as die salvation of this endangered language.