Page:An Ainu-English-Japanese dictionary (including a grammar of the Ainu language).djvu/663

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CHAPTER VIII.

THE PRONOUN.

The Pronouns are divided into Personal, Possessive, Relative, Indefinite and Interrogative. What are generally termed “Demonstrative Pronouns” will be found under the Adjective [sic] Chapter VI.

SECTION I.

The personal pronouns are as follows, their forms differing according to the context.

(a.), [sic] is particularly used with verbs commencing with a vowel as:—

(b.), is probably the original word whence is contracted. It is better to use than, for the contraction  is not always understood whereas  is known all over Yezo.

(c.) may be derived thus; [sic]. [sic] “I;”, “to be;” a substantivising particle. and are sometimes used together in a sentence; as for instance:—

(d.) is a simple contraction of, and is now considered by some to be a somewhat impolite mode of speech.

(e.) may be derived from  “to be,” and, a plural form of. It is supposed to be only used by superiors to inferiors when speaking of oneself.