国立民族学博物館(みんぱく)は、博物館をもった文化人類学・民族学の研究所です。

No.44 Social Aspects of the Ainu Linguistic Decline

HIDEO KIRIKAE: Hokkai Gakuen University
People may suppose, perhaps, that the history of the Ainus, or the past situations under which their language and oral traditions prospered and failed, hold much interest for Ainu linguists. Unfortunately, most Ainu linguists, including the present author, have not showed any deep interest in the actual history of this minority. We have been interested in the Ainu language only, particularly in its linguistic structure. Lately the present author has realized the necessity of getting more information about the historical processes during which the Ainu language lapsed into its present fatal state. Some aspects of this sphere of questions are dealt with below.