Sample text in Sgaw Karen Sample text in Sgaw Karen (Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Written by: Erick, Daryus, Gabe, Darrion, Aaron, and Martel

Perhaps you would like to learn a few words in the Sgaw Karen Language so that you can speak with our Karen Community neighbors.  We learned a few words as part of our project.  Here is a great website where you can learn more about the language.

HOW DO YOU SAY.....

Hsa shares with IPS Channel 23 News how to say some common phrases.

KAREN LANGUAGES

by Erick

70% of Karen speak Sgaw Karen 7% of Karen speak Pwo Karen.

The Unique Language of Sgaw Karen

By Darrion and Erick

Have you ever heard about Karen culture? I know you're thinking about “Karen,” your annoying next door neighbor, but this is the Karen (pronunciation) culture from southeast Asia and they are cool?

There are three main branches and S’gaw (pronounced Skaw) Karen, Western Pwo Karen and Eastern Pwo Karen  It sounds unique and is spoken at a medium pace.  Almost 70% of Karen people speak Sgaw Karen or over a million people, where only 7% of Karen speak Pwo Karen.

Tsa Win, title or way we explain we interviewed him, explained that there are also many different dialects depending on the region they live in, which makes it hard to sometimes.  When these languages are read or written, it flows in the same direction (left to right) as ours, but it uses different letters than our alphabet.

Learning about the Karen languages helps me better understand how many people all over the world speak differently!  This made me appreciate the language and the Karen culture.

LIFE IN A REFUGEE CAMP-MANY OF AKRON'S KAREN REFUGEES LIVED IN THAILAND BEFORE ARRIVING IN AKRON