Kayah, Eastern

A language of Myanmar

ISO 639: eky
Alternate Names: Karenni, Karennyi, Kayah, Kayah Li, Kayay, Kayeh, Red Karen
Population: 8,000 in Myanmar (2007). Total users in all countries: 26,000.
Location:: Kayah state: Shadaw township east of Thanlwin river; Shan state: Langkho district.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karenic, Central
Dialects: Upper Eastern Kayah, Lower Eastern Kayah. Upper Eastern Kayah and Lower Eastern Kayah are mutually intelligible; Huai Sua Thaw village (Lower Eastern) is prestigious in both dialect groups. Difficulty understanding Western Kayah [kyu].
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use S’gaw Karen [ksw]. Also use Burmese [mya], specifically among Buddhists and Roman Catholics. Also use Shan [shn]. Also use Thai [tha], in education of Kayah in permanent villages. Also use Western Kayah [kyu], in education in refugee camps.
Language Development: Grammar. Texts.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Kayah, Eastern
Writing: Kayah Li script [Kali].
Other Comments: Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.

Thailand

Location: Mae Hong Son province.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened)
Other Comments: Strong feeling that all Kayah are the same ethnic group. Upper Eastern Kayah is north of Mae Hong Son provincial capital; Lower Eastern Kayah is south. Karieng Daeng means Red Karen in Thai [tha]. “Yang Daeng”, Red Karen in Northern Thai [nod], is pejorative.

Location: Kayah state: Shadaw township east of Thanlwin river; Shan state: Langkho district.