- Tap, “this thing” (whether far off or near).
- Ne a ikiyap, “that thing or fellow” (a word of contempt).
Shiroma, he, she, it.
Shinuma, he, she, it.
Sometimes, however, the particle a, contracted from anun, “another person,” or “the person” is used as an honourable way of speaking of one’s own master or a superior; thus:—
- A e hotuyekara, “he is calling you.”
Anun, pronounced in full, is sometimes used by a servant when addressing his master. In such cases anun means “you;” thus:—
- Hunna? “who?” Anun, “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 chi, and “ye” by echi; and after verbs “we” is ash.
The following are examples.
- Chi utara anak ne Ainu chi ne, “we are Ainu.”
- Echi utara anak ne Ainu echi ne, “ye are Ainu.”
- Chi kara, “we make.”
- Kara ash, “we make.”
The plurals of the third person pronouns are as follows:—
- Tan utara or tan okai utara, “these persons.”
- Nei utara or nei okai utara, “they” (persons a little way off).
- To an utara or to okai utara, “they,” (persons farther off).
- Tan okai be, “these things,” “these.”
- Nei okai be, “those things,” “they” (a short distance off).
To an okai be
To okai be“those things,” “they” (a greater distance off).
- Shiroma utara, “they” or “those.”
[N.B.] Care should be taken not to use pe or b when persons are intended; for pe or b can only be correctly applied to the lower orders of creation.
Thus the pronouns are:—
