Karen, Phrae Pwo

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A language of Thailand

ISO 639-3
kjt
Alternate Names
Northeastern Pwo Karen, Phrae, Prae, Pwo Phrae
User Population

6,000 (Dawkins and Phillips 2009a). Total Karen: 441,000 (2010 census).

Location

Phrae, Lampang, and Chiang Rai provinces.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

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

None known. Not intelligible with other Pwo Karen languages. Lexical similarity: 87% with Northern Pwo Karen [pww] of Thailand, 67%–71% with other Pwo Karen varieties.

Language Use

Used by all. Most also use Northern Thai [nod]. Bilingualism in Northern Thai is widespread and some are highly bilingual (Dawkins and Phillips 2009a). Many also use Thai [tha] (Dawkins and Phillips 2009a). Also use S’gaw Karen [ksw].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Karen, Phrae Pwo
Writing

Thai script [Thai].

Other Comments

Buddhist, traditional religion.