Writing System: Ainu traditionally used no indigenous writing system, relying instead on oral transmission. In modern contexts, it is represented in both katakana (a Japanese syllabary) and the Latin alphabet for documentation and revitalization efforts. The katakana script helps to approximate Ainu phonetics for Japanese speakers, while the Latin script is widely used in linguistics and international contexts.
Grammar: Ainu grammar is highly agglutinative, meaning words are often built with multiple affixes that convey grammatical relationships. It features a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order and uses extensive verb morphology to indicate voice, mood, and relationships between the participants. Additionally, there is a distinction between animate and inanimate nouns, which affects verb conjugation.
Phonology: The Ainu phonemic inventory is relatively simple, with consonants such as /p, t, k, c, h, s, r, m, n, w, y/ and vowels /i, e, a, o, u/. Ainu lacks complex consonant clusters and has no tones or distinctive stress. A notable phonological feature is its use of glottal stops and the frequent alternation of vowel length in certain dialects.
Lexicon: The Ainu lexicon reflects its isolation and unique development, with a wealth of indigenous vocabulary. However, due to historical contact, it includes borrowings from Japanese, and, to a lesser extent, from Russian and other neighboring languages. Modern Ainu incorporates loanwords to accommodate concepts introduced from outside cultures.
Endangered Voices Initiative 