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
- /cʰ/ may be an allophone of /tʰ/, 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.