Karen languages

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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] The three main branches are Sgaw, Pwo, and Pa'o; they are not considered to be mutually intelligible[2]. 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 [3]. This is likely due to influence from neighboring Mon and Tai languages[4]. The languages are also considered unusual for not having any Chinese influence.[5]

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[edit] References

  1. ^ Graham Thurgood, Randy J. LaPolla (2003). The Sino-Tibetan Languages. Routledge. ISBN 0700711295. 
  2. ^ Lewis, Paul; Elaine Lewis (1984). Peoples of the Golden Triangle. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd. ISBN 0-500-97472-1. 
  3. ^ Description of the Sino-Tibetan Language Family
  4. ^ Matisoff, James A. (1991). "Sino-Tibetan Linguistics: Present State and Future Prospects". Annual Review of Anthropology 20: 469–504. Annual Reviews Inc.. doi:10.1146/annurev.an.20.100191.002345. 
  5. ^ Thai Cultural Tourism

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