KaRen+-+Burma

Language And Cultural Moment:
=Language:= =hah ler ah hgay : Good afternoon= (Picture of a KaRen refugee camp in Thailand)

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Basic Overview: Karen Languages are normally divided into three groups based on region. The Northern, Central and Southern groups. The languages of these groups are **// [|Sgaw] //**, [|Pwo] , and [|Pa'o]. ====== - Sgaw is the most common of the KaRen languages, spoken by approx. 4 million people in Burma and 200,000 in Thailand The Karen Languages are tonal, meaning that the tone in which a word is spoken influences the meaning of the word. -The verb is placed between the subject and the object. -Languages of the Karen group are believed to be influenced by Tai and Austro-Asiatic families. The Karen language is within the Tibeto-Burman language group - "Tibeto-Burman languages are spoken in Tibet and in areas of the Himalayas, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and central China" (www.alsintl.com) - "The only Karen languages to have written forms are the southern languages of Pwo and Sgaw, which are written using a Burmese script." (www.alsintl.com)

(This graphic helps to better understand the regions which influenced KaRenni languages, although China does not have much of an influence.)

**Helpful Links: ** **- ** [] : this link was originally intended for English speakers who are training to work with KaRenni people in the refugee camps. This link provides the written, phonological and English translations of basic KaRen phrases. This also provides an audio translation as well - http://www.alsintl.com/resources/languages/karen/ : provides basic overview of the many KaRen languages origins and whereabouts today - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Muuenn2xeNQ ; KaRen music - [] While this link does not provide information about KaRen, it is a wonderful resource for understanding language transfer (Learner English by Michael Swan and Bernard Swift)

Helpful Basic Phrases: hgaw ler ah hgay- Good morning na mee di leh? - What is your name? nee ler ah hgay - Hello! ta-blu - Thank you

Works Cited: [|"Index of /Library." //Index of /Library//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. .] [|"Karen." //- Language Information & Resources//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. <http://www.alsintl.com/resources/langua]

Culture
-History -Culture -Bio on KaRen student in Spokane

Things to take away from KaRen ELL students. -From observations in the field, KaRen students may be more talkative than their counterparts. -Like other cultures, many KaRen come from a patriarchal family structure. -KaRen culture can have homophobic undertones, so they may or may not be comfortable around homosexual people. -Through observation of KaRen Students in the classroom, they celebrate many Christian holidays such as Christmas. -Like people from all cultures, some KaRen experience substance abuse problems. -Many KaRen come to the US from refugee camps, and may not have any "formal education." However, there are students who are familiar with technology and classroom settings. -Through observations of KaRen students in the classroom, some may be in the silent stage for a long time. Like with all students, however, it varies depending on the student. -KaRen coming to Spokane often come into the United States with very little, and may be living in poverty.