Ainu is a language originating in Japan.
- It is a language isolate – not related to Japanese or any other language.
- It is spoken by the Ainu people who live in Hokkaido in Northern Japan.
There are only 10 native speakers left.
- It is classified as an 8b language – nearly extinct.
- All native speakers are over 80 years of age.
- Revitalization is underway. Ainu language classes are being held for young people.
There were at least 19 dialects within the Ainu language at one time.
- Today only the Hokkaido dialect survives.
- The last speaker of the Sakhalin dialect died in 1994.
Ainu uses a modified form of katakana script.
- There is also a Latin based alphabet in use.
The only magazine published in the Ainu language is the Ainu Times.
- It publishes in both the modified katakana and romanized script.
- The magazine is published four times a year.
- It can be found online in archived form: http://www.geocities.jp/otarunay/taimuzu.html
Ainu language resources
Video:
References
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/ain
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