Page:An Ainu-English-Japanese dictionary (including a grammar of the Ainu language).djvu/639

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CHAPTER IV.

THE ARTICLE.

There is no article, properly so called, in the Ainu language; but the numeral adjective, “one,” is often used as the indefinite article or , as:—


 * , “a man.”, “a house.” , “an animal.”

But care must be exercised in using the word as an article, for when it is essential to draw attention to the fact that there is but one of a thing this numeral is used; e.g.


 * , “one man.”, “one woman.”

For the definite article the demonstrative adjectives are sometimes used; e.g.


 * , “that (the) person said.”, “that (the) fish is good.” , “bring that (the) letter.”

CHAPTER V.

THE NOUN.

Nouns, in the Ainu language, are at the present day subject to no changes to indicate either gender, number, or case.