Page:An Ainu-English-Japanese dictionary (including a grammar of the Ainu language).djvu/556

2 part of the introduction to what he ventures to deem a somewhat important work, namely, the preceding Ainu Dictionary. But there appear to be so few people truly interested in Ainu, or such a small number thoroughly acquainted with this tongue, that no help was given except to confirm him in his present belief that in so far as construction is concerned the Ainu language belongs as much to the Aryan tongue as Latin, French, Greek, and English do. Nor could the Author lay his hands on any other Ainu Grammar which would serve as a basis to work upon. The present work should therefore be regarded as original and quite independent. Still the Author must acknowledge his great indebtedness to Dr August Phizmaier for his Kritische Durchsicht der von Davidaw verfassten Wortersammlung aus der Sprache der Aino’s (Wien 1852), for on studying this book he has derived great benefit from the critical and analytical method therein followed.