Karen, S’gaw

Primary tabs

Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Yangon regions and Kayin state; scattered in Ayeyarwady delta area, generally among Western Pwo Karen [pwo] speakers.

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Thailand

Language NameKaren, S’gaw

User Population

200,000 in Thailand (2006 Mahidol University). Total Karen: 441,000 (2010 census).

Location

Tak, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, and Kamphaeng Phet provinces, near Myanmar border.

Alternate Names

Burmese Karen, Kanyaw, Karen, Paganyaw, Pwakanyaw, S’gau, S’gaw, S’gaw Kayin, White, Yang Khao

Dialects

Panapu, Palakhi (Palachi).

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use Thai [tha]. Used as L2 by Phrae Pwo Karen [kjt], Western Lawa [lcp].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.