Current Entry - May 2008

Every so often the Dear Dora column offers answers from other staff, and sometimes the information may be complementary to the work of foreign language teaching. This is one I thought was worth passing on. The answer comes from Colleen Mahar-Piersma at CAL who is on the staff of the Cultural Orientation Resource Center (CORCenter).

Dear Dora,
I was asked a question today about if anyone at CAL knew anything about the Karen language? Two of my students recently had a student enroll who is literate in that language, but they don't have anyone who can communicate with him/translate etc. due to the scarcity of resources and lack of knowledge base in that language. I did look up some information on Wikipedia, but other than that I know nothing about the language. Wonder if you might be able to help out?
A Teacher

Dear Teacher of Karen-Speaking Students:
First, I recommend looking at the Cultural Orientation Resource Center's Culture Profile entitled "Refugees from Burma" (http://www.cal.org/co/pdffiles/refugeesfromburma.pdf - available for free download or purchase from the CALStore). The Karen language is discussed on pages 36-39.

Second, for more information on (or in) the Karen language, I recommend the Drum Publications Web site, at http://www.drumpublications.org. Their publications page includes the following text:
• English - Sgaw Karen Student Dictionary (PDF version which can be used off line)
• Karen - English Dictionary (PDF version which can be used off line) Newly revised edition March 2008

Drum Publications has been generous with downloading print versions of its publications, but you do need to ask for permission. They've also established the following on-line interpreter services (given the time difference, this wouldn't be the first choice, however). To help meet the needs of the recently resettled Karen and Burmese refugees from Thailand to third countries, the Drum Publication Group has established an on-line interpreter service using the free PC to PC communication service of Skype. A Drum interpreter will usually be available on-line from 10:00am to 4:00pm local time in Thailand, Monday to Friday (except local holidays). To arrange an appointment outside these times, please contact Drum via email. They also make their services available through Skype.

Third, if the students have been resettled by a resettlement agency (rather than if they're secondary migrants who have moved there on their own), the resettlement agency should have someone who can communicate with them (that may be a volunteer, or someone else from the Karen community).

Best wishes,
Colleen Mahar-Piersma
Cultural Orientation Resource Center