Ethnologue

Karen, Pwo Western

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Bassein Pwo Karen, Delta Pwo Karen, Mon Karen, Mutheit, Pathein Pwo Karen, Phlong, Phlong Sho, Pho, Shu, Talaing Karen

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

Dialects

Very little dialectal variation among Western Pwo Karen.

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous in villages; lessening in towns. All domains. All ages. 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: 1883–1885.

Language Resources

Writing

Myanmar (Burmese) script [Mymr].

Other Comments

Buddhist, Christian.