Karen, S’gaw

A language of Myanmar

Burmese Karen, Kanyaw, Kayinpyu, Kyetho, Paganyaw, Pchcknya, Pwakenyaw, S’gau, S’gaw, S’gaw Kayin, White Karen, Yang Khao

Autonym

ပှၤကညီဖိ‎ (Sgaw)

User 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 Maps

Western Central Myanmar

Northern Thailand

Eastern Central Myanmar

Southern Myanmar

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].