Alternate Names: “Bre” (pej.), “Brec” (pej.), “Brek” (pej.), Deleh, Ka-yaw, “Kayaw Brek” (pej.), Laku, “Paret” (pej.), Pramano, “Pre” (pej.), “Pret” (pej.)
Dialects: Bwe-Kayaw, Lowe Kayaw, Upper Kayaw. Upper Kayaw dialect is the basis for Kayaw literature. Some intelligibility with Bwe Karen ,, though some Kayaw who speak with the Bwe Karen may use S’gaw Karen , to communicate.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 16,600 (1983 census).
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. 2,000 also use S’gaw Karen [ksw]. Also use Burmese [mya].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Bible portions: 1990–1999.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Myanmar
Other Comments: Brek and Bwe are variant names of a dialect continuum extending from southwest Kayah State to northeast Kayin (Karen) State. Bwe-Kayaw is a mixed variety spoken in the middle of this continuum. See also Karen, Bwe ,. Christian.