Bwe Karen language

Bwe, also known as Bwe Karen and Bghai (Baghi), is a Karen language of Burma. It shares 82 to 100% lexical similarity with Geba Karen language.

Distribution

• Kayin State: Thandaung township (about 100 villages)
• Kayah State: Hpruso township
• Bago Region: Taungoo and Hpa-An townships

Dialects

Dialects are Western Bwe Karen and Eastern Bwe Karen. Most comprehend the Western Bwe Karen dialect.

Phonology

• /cÊ°/ may be an allophone of /tÊ°/, appearing before the vowels /i ɪ/.
• /ʔ/ only appears in the onset when vowels occur word-initially.
• /x/ appears rarely.

• /ə/ only appears in unstressed syllables.

Bwe Karen also has three tones; high, mid, and low.

References

External links

• Bwe Karen basic lexicon at the Global Lexicostatistical Database