Page:An Ainu-English-Japanese dictionary (including a grammar of the Ainu language).djvu/665

Rh :, “this thing” (whether far off or near).
 * , “that thing or fellow” (a word of contempt).

Sometimes, however, the particle, contracted from , “another person,” or “the person” is used as an honourable way of speaking of one’s own master or a superior; thus:—


 * , “he is calling you.”

, pronounced in full, is sometimes used by a servant when addressing his master. In such cases means “you;” thus:—


 * “who?”, “the other person,” i.e. “you.”

The above forms are used only at the beginning of sentences, and are never immediately prefixed to verbs. Before verbs, “we” is expressed by, and “ye” by ; and after verbs “we” is.

The following are examples.


 * , “we are Ainu.”
 * , “ye are Ainu.”
 * , “we make.”
 * , “we make.”

The plurals of the third person pronouns are as follows:—


 * or, “these persons.”
 * or, “they” (persons a little way off).
 * or, “they,” (persons farther off).
 * , “these things,” “these.”
 * , “those things,” “they” (a short distance off).

\\ \end{array} \right \rbrace$$
 * $$\left . \begin{array}{lcl}
 * $$\left . \begin{array}{lcl}
 * style="text-indent:-1em; padding-left: 1em;" | “those things,” “they” (a greater distance off).
 * }
 * , “they” or “those.”

[N.B.] Care should be taken not to use or  when persons are intended; for  or  can only be correctly applied to the lower orders of creation.

Thus the pronouns are:—