Kayaw

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
kvl
Alternate Names
“Bre” , “Brec” , “Brek” , Deleh, “Kayaw Brek” , Laku, “Paret” , Pramano, “Pre” , “Pret”
Population

16,600 (1983 census). Very few monolinguals.

Location

East Kayah State, 30 villlages; northeast Kayin State, Yado area; south Shan State, Pekon township.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

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

Bwe-Kayaw, Prek. Some intelligibility with Bwe Karen [bwe], though some Kayaw who speak with the Bwe Karen may use S’gaw Karen [ksw] to communicate.

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Roman Catholics also use Burmese [mya]; Baptists also use Burmese and S’gaw Karen [ksw].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Bible portions: 1990–1999.
Writing
Latin script, used by Roman Catholics and Baptists.
Other Comments

Brek and Bwe are variant names of a dialect continuum extending from southwest Kayah State to northeast Kayin (Karen) State. Bwe-Kayaw is a mixed variety spoken in the middle of this continuum. See also Karen, Bwe [bwe]. Christian.