Karen, Pwo Western

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
pwo
Alternate Names
Bassein Pwo Karen, Delta Pwo Karen, Mon Karen, Mon Kayin, Mutheit, Pathein Pwo Karen, Phlong, Phlong Sho, Pho, Shu, Talaing Karen
User Population

210,000, decreasing.

Location

Ayeyarwady region: Einmeh, Maubin, Pathein, Twante, others; Bago region: Kyonpyaw and Hinthada, others; Yangon region: Twante.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

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

Very little dialectal variation among Western Pwo Karen.

Typology

SVO; prepositions; numeral classifiers; 25 consonants, 11 vowels and 2 diphthongs; tonal (4 tones); verb serialization.

Language Use

Vigorous in villages; lessening in towns. All domains. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Used as L2 by S’gaw Karen [ksw].

Language Development

Summer and church literacy classes in many communities; used and taught in Bible schools. Dictionary. Bible: 1883–1926.

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

Myanmar (Burmese) script [Mymr].

Other Comments

Western Pwo Karen [pwo] Christians use the Pwo Karen Bible. Buddhist, Christian.