Pa’o

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
blk
Alternate Names
Black Karen, Northern Taungthu, Pa Oh, Pa’o Karen, Pa-O, Pa-U
Autonym
ပအိုဝ်‎ (Pa-O), ပအိုဝ်ႏခမ်းသား‎ (Pa-O Kham Thar)
User Population

858,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 858,740.

Location

Kayah state: Loikaw; Kayin state: Shan state border area; Mon state: near Thaton; Shan state.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karenic, Peripheral
Dialects

Southern Pa’o, Northern Pa’o. Reportedly fairly high comprehension among dialects.

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Also use Shan [shn]. Used as L2 by Danau [dnu], Lahta [kvt], Zayein [kxk].

Language Development

Literacy classes in some communities, especially at Buddhist monasteries. Dictionary. NT: 1961–2009. Agency: Pa’o Literature and Culture Committee.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Pa’o
Writing

Myanmar (Burmese) script [Mymr].

Other Comments

Buddhist.

Also spoken in:

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