KSW ISO 639-3
Karen, S’gaw
ပှၤကညီဖိ (Sgaw) Autonym
A language of Myanmar
- ISO 639
- ksw
- Alternate Names
- Burmese Karen, Kanyaw, Kayinpyu, Kyetho, Paganyaw, Pchcknya, Pwakenyaw, S’gau, S’gaw, S’gaw Kayin, White Karen, Yang Khao
- Autonym
- ပှၤကညီဖိ (Sgaw)
- Population
- 2,050,000 in Myanmar, all users. L1 users: 1,970,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). L2 users: 80,000 (2013 SIL). Total users in all countries: 2,250,000 (as L1: 2,170,000; as L2: 80,000).
- Location:
- Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Yangon regions and Kayin state; scattered in Ayeyarwady delta area, generally among Western Pwo Karen [pwo] speakers.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication). S’gaw Karen used in the church domain for many Karen languages.
- Classification
- Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karenic, Southern
- Dialects
- Eastern dialect of S’gaw Karen (Pa’an), Southern dialect of Western Kayah (Dawei), Delta dialect of S’gaw Karen. Reportedly similar to Paku Karen [jkp].
- Typology
- SVO.
- Language Use
- Most communities vigorous; some shift toward Burmese [mya]. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Also use Pwo Eastern Karen [kjp]. Also use Pwo Western Karen [pwo]. Used as L2 by Bwe Karen [bwe], Eastern Kayah [eky], Geba Karen [kvq], Geko Karen [ghk], Kawyaw [kxf], Kayan [pdu], Kayaw [kvl], Mobwa Karen [jkm], Paku Karen [jkp], Western Kayah [kyu], Wewaw [wea], Yintale [kvy].
- Language Development
- Some literacy classes. Literature. Periodicals. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1853–2004.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Karen, S’gaw
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn], no longer in use. Myanmar (Burmese) script [Mymr].
- Other Comments
- Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Tak, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, and Kamphaeng Phet provinces, near Myanmar border.
- Dialects
- Panapu, Palakhi (Palachi).
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Traditional religion, Christian. View other languages of Thailand
Language Name
Karen, S’gaw
User Population
200,000 in Thailand (2006 Mahidol University). Total Karen: 441,000 (2010 census).
Map
Location: Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Yangon regions and Kayin state; scattered in Ayeyarwady delta area, generally among Western Pwo Karen [pwo] speakers.
Size and Vitality
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