Alternate Names: Karenni, Karennyi, Karieng Daeng, Kayah Li, Red Karen, Yang Daeng
Dialects: Chi Kwe, Dawnnyjekhu, Dawtama, Northern dialect of Western Kayah, Sounglog, Southern dialect of Western Kayah, Wan Cheh. Part of a dialect continuum of Central Karen varieties stretching from Thailand (Eastern Kayah ,) to western Kayah State.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 150,000 (2007). 2,000 refugees in Thailand.
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya] among Baptists; others also use Burmese. 20,000 also use S’gaw Karen [ksw]. Used as L2 by Eastern Kayah [eky].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy classes in some communities. Dictionary. NT: 2010.
Writing System: Kayah Li, Latin, Myanmar (Burmese)
Nation of Origin: Myanmar
Other Comments: Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.