Learn the lost art of the Ainu language

Like other indigenous groups, the Ainu people of Hokkaido and the north-eastern Honshu island of Japan have experienced marginalization. After the Japanese government annexed their territory in 1890, the ethnic minority struggled to maintain their identity as their language and customs were effectively outlawed. Content producers like The Foundation for Ainu Culture and MINE are attempting to re-assert Ainu culture by cataloging traditional songs and documenting members’ experiences of self-discovery.

Nevertheless, there remain significant hurdles. For example, UNESCO reports as few as 15 living native speakers of the Ainu language remain as preservation initiatives were non-existent throughout most of the 20th century. Adding to the urgency, a majority of Ainu report experiencing discrimination despite living a typical Japanese lifestyle. Unfortunately, a recent bid to include a ceremonial dance performance by the minority group in the 2020/2021 Olympics was recently canned.

The Ainu Language

According to the YouTube channel Brief Histories, the Ainu people are descendants of the Jomon people, early settlers of the Japanese archipelago who likely migrated from Tibet. Later on, they were displaced by the Yayoi people, modern Japanese, who immigrated from China and Korea. As the Yayoi migrated, other ethnicities were forced towards Hokkaido and other northern territories .

In modern times, the Ainu language faces extinction. A language isolate with no known relatives, the language was largely an oral tradition. It is similar in word order to Japanese, following a subject, object, verb sentence structure. Owing to the lack of a written system, it is transcribed in Japanese katakana syllabary. Nevertheless, yukar songs, hero-sagas, have helped preserved the language.

To my ears, it is very distinct from Japanese, especially when compared to Korean which, I feel, sounds similar. Here is a primer course with some essential phrases and vocabulary:

Lesson 1

Like others, YouTuber しとちゃんねる, Shito Channel, is determined to help preserve the Ainu culture. She has published a series of videos documenting her culture and music. Not least of which is an extensive course on the Ainu language, aimed at beginners. With over 30 videos, interested viewers can begin conversing in no time with the right amount of motivation. We'll cover the basics here.

After opening with traditional Ainu insignia, host Maya and her friend Youpin get straight to it. They have started this channel to teach everyday conversation as well as spread their culture. Naturally, introductions are first.

“Irankarapte” = こんにちは = Hello.

"E=rehe makanak an?" = 名前は? = What’s your name?

“○ ○ sekor ku=rehe an. Eani he” = ○ ○ だよ。あなたは？= I’m ○ ○. And you?

“Kani ○ ○ ku=ne.” = 私は ○ ○= I’m ○ ○.

“○ ○ sekor en=hotuyekar yak pirka na!” = ○ ○って呼んでね = You can call me ○ ○.

“uamkir=an na!" = こちらこそ= Nice to meet you.

After the lesson, Maya takes a moment to explain the importance of ancestors in Ainu culture as well as Ainu names. Her teacher gave her the name “ノト”, but you can call her Maya if you like. An interesting point of their culture is that Ainu people sometimes called young children by names like “small poo” or “stinky poo” in order to protect them. I guess no animal or spirit is interested in eating stinking poo.

Finally, teacher Maya challenges her students to use “irankarapte” before the next lesson.

Lesson 2

While lesson 1 was fun, we have only scratched the surface of the Ainu language. Posthaste, lets dive into the follow up instructions:

Youpin and Maya are back, and they have some more intro level phrases to teach. This time, they’re talking about age:

“○ ○ hempak pa e=na?” = ○ ○何歳 = ○ ○, how old are you?

“Wansinepses pa ku=ne! Eani he?” = 19際。あなたは？＝I’m 19. And you?

“Eani akkari ku=paha poro.” = 私の方は年上だ = I’m a bit older than you.

“Tuwansine pa ku=ne!” = 21際だよ = I’m 21.

“Yakun e=iku easkay hawa ne” = お酒飲めるんじゃん＝ You can drink alcohol!

“E=anuwapto an wa okake ta uturano iku=an ro!” = 誕生日来たら一緒に飲もう！= When your birthday comes, let’s go drinking!

After their lesson, Maya takes a moment to explain a few salutations for saying goodbye. Moreover, she explains customs surrounding “tonoto,” a ceremonial alcoholic beverage. “Tonoto,” a mainstay of Ainu celebrations such as welcoming newborns, is a sweet alcohol that’s not too strong. It also appears to be a right of passage for coming-of-age commemorations.

Finally, Maya and Youpin exeunt discussing indigenous customs surrounding alcohol. Students must be sure to memorize Ainu numbers and age phrases in case they are carded at the next community festival.

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