Geko Karen language

Geko is a Karen language of Burma. Yinbaw is reportedly a variety. Speakers of Geko and Yinbaw are ethnically Kayan, as are speakers of Lahta and Padaung.

Geko
Native to	Burma
Ethnicity	Kayan
Native speakers	17,000 Geko (2010)[1] 9,000 Yinbaw (2017)[1]
Language family	Sino-Tibetan (Tibeto-Burman) Karen languages Sgaw–Bghai Bghai? Kayah? Geko
Language codes
ISO 639-3	Either: ghk – Geko kvu – Yinbaw
Glottolog	geko1235  Geko yinb1236  Yinbaw

Kadaw^[2] and Taungmying are closely related linguistic varieties.^[3][4]

Distribution

• northern Kayin State: Thandaunggyi township
• southern Shan State: Pekhon township
• Mandalay Region: Yamethin District
• Bago Region: Taungoo District

Yinbaw (population 7,300 as of 1983) is spoken in eastern Shan State and Kayah State.

Dialects

• Geker
• Gekho
• Thaidai (Htideh)^[5]