Thread: Karen vs Karenni

Hey Adam

I might be totally wrong on this but from what I gather Karen and Karenni are not languages per se, but are two different groups of people who speak different languages within each group.

The Karen, pronounced Kah- Ren (emphasis on the second syllable), are indigenous to the Thailand-Burma border region in Southeast Asia and are one of the many ethnic groups in Burma. There are Karen people throughout the country presently known as Burma or Myanmar.

The term "Karen" is an umbrella term that refers to a heterogeneous lot of ethnic groups that do not share a common language, culture, religion or material characteristics.[8] A pan-Karen ethnic identity is a relatively modern creation, established in the 1800s with the conversion of some Karens to Christianity and shaped by various British colonial policies and practices and the introduction of Christianity.[9][10]

"Karen" is an Anglicisation of the Burmese word "Kayin" (ကရင်), whose etymology is unclear.[8] The word, which was originally a derogatory term referring to non-Buddhist ethnic groups, may have come from the Mon language, or is a corruption of Kanyan, the name of a vanished civilization.[8]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_people
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Karenni (-ni means "red") covers around 9 different people groups who speak different languages and dialects in Kayah State, Myanmar (Burma). Kayah Li Phu is the name of the largest people group in Kayah State. Kayah Li is also the language that the Kayah people speak. In former times, Kayah State was known as Karenni State. Most of the refugees currently resettling throughout the U.S. (and other countries) are Kayah speakers.

The Karenni People - Background

Yes. Not knowing anymore about the language(s) than we do, I'd say that would be the thing to do. Since Kayah Li Phu is the name of the largest people group in Kayah State and Kayah Li is the language that the Kayah people speak you might ask if they want it in Kayah Li...or one of the other dialects. Just a suggestion

Con mucho gusto mi amigo