Karen, Bwe

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
bwe
Alternate Names
Baghi, Bghai Karen, Blimaw, Bwe, Dareh, Manaw
Population

17,200 (1997 F. Bennett), decreasing. No monolinguals.

Location

Kayin State, Thandaung township, about 100 villages; Kayah State, Hpruso township.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

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

Eastern Bwe Karen, Western Bwe Karen. Most comprehend Western Bwe Karen dialect; some comprehend Geba [kvq] and Kayaw [kvl]; no inherent intelligibility with Kayah [eky] or Geko [ghk]. Lexical similarity: 82%–100% with Geba Karen [kvq].

Typology

SVO

Language Use

Some shift to S’gaw Karen [ksw] or Burmese [mya]. Most domains, except church. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use S’gaw Karen [ksw] and Burmese [mya]; S’gaw Karen used in church.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Some S’gaw Karen [ksw] literacy classes held. Bible portions: 1857–1862.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Karen, Bwe
Writing
Myanmar (Burmese) script.
Other Comments

Western Bwe Karen more widely understood, more prestigious. Bwe is sometimes used as an overarching cover term for all high-dwelling Central Karennic groups, who are not S’gaw Karen or Pwo Karen. Bwe people are very similar to the Mobwa people in lifestyle and culture. Christian.