Lexical Parallels between Ainu and Austric, and Their Implications
Author(s):
Bengtson, John D; Blazek, Vaclav
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Archiv Orientalni, Volume 68, Issue 2 (2000-05). pp. 237-258.
Language:
English
Abstract:
The possibility that Ainu is genetically related to the Austric macrophylum, understood to include Austronesian, Tai-Kadai, Miao-Yao (Hmong-Mien), & Austroasiatic, is supported (1) by a summary of archaeological evidence & L. L. Cavalli-Sforza's genetic findings in this regard, & (2) by 82 lexical parallels in which an Ainu or Proto-Ainu lexical entry is matched with attested or reconstructed forms from one or more branches of Austric. Particular attention is given to eight Ainu personal pronominal forms & five numerals; the list of lexical parallels is claimed to initiate the inductive phase of a demonstration of genetic linguistic relationship, preparatory to the hypothesizing of phonological correspondences. 81 References. J. Hitchcock