Karen language

The Karen languages are tonal languages spoken by the Karen people and are classified as part of the Tibeto-Burman group of the Sino-Tibetan language family.^[1] It is written using the Burmese script.^[2] The three main branches are Sgaw, Pwo, and Pa'o; they are not considered to be mutually intelligible^[3]. Karenni (also known Kayah or Red Karen) and Kayan (also known as Padaung) are related to the Sgaw branch. They are almost unique among the Tibeto-Burman languages in having a Subject Verb Object word order; other than Karen and Bai, Tibeto-Burman languages feature a Subject Object Verb order ^[4]. This is likely due to influence from neighboring Mon and Tai languages^[5]. The languages are also considered unusual for not having any Chinese influence.^[6]

[edit] See also

• List of Tibeto-Burman languages

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Kawthoolei, meaning ‘a land without evil’, is the Karen name of the land of Karen people. An independent and impartial media outlet aimed to provide contemporary information of all kinds — social, cultural, educational and political
• Karenpeople.org, a non-profit web portal on the Karen peoples
• Karen.org, The website of the Karen National League of Bakersfield, California
• Drum Publication Group, Sgaw Karen language materials available free online. Includes an online English - Sgaw Karen Dictionary.
• http://www.kwekalu.net, The first and only Karen language news outlet online based in Mergui/Tavoy District of Kawthoolei

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