Burmese English
Encyclopedia
Burmese English is an English language
dialect used in Burma (also known as Myanmar), spoken by an estimated 2.4 million people, about 5% of the population (1997).
annexed modern-day Burma in three stages over a six-decade span (1824–1885). It administered Burma as a province of British India until 1937, and as a separate colony until 1948. During the British colonial period
, English was the medium of instruction
in higher education, although it did not replace Burmese
as the vernacular. English was the medium of instruction in universities and two types of secondary schools: English schools and Anglo-Vernacular schools (where English was taught as a second language). Burmese English resembles Indian English
to a degree because of historical ties to India during British colonization.
On 1 June 1950, a new education policy was implemented to replace Burmese as the medium of instruction at all state schools, although universities, which continued to use English as the medium of instruction, were unaffected. English became taught as a second language beginning in the Fifth Standard. Until 1965, English was the language of instruction at Burmese universities. In 1965, Burmese replaced English as the medium of instruction
at the university level, with the passing of the New University Education Law the previous year. It was reintroduced in 1982. Currently, English is taught from Standard 0 (kindergarten), as a second language. Since 1991, in the 9th and 10th Standards, English and Burmese are both used as the medium of instruction, particularly in science and math subjects, which use English language textbooks. Because of this, many Burmese are better able to communicate in written English than in spoken English, due to emphasis placed on writing and reading.
spellings have become increasingly popular. Because Adoniram Judson
, an American, created the first Burmese-English dictionary, many American English spellings are common (e.g. color, check, encyclopedia). The ‹-ize› form is more commonly used than the ‹-ise> form.
Burmese English is often characterised by its unaspirated consonants, similar to Indian English. It also borrows words from standard English and uses them in a slightly different context. For instance, "pavement" (British English) or "sidewalk" (US English) is commonly called "platform" in Burmese English. "Stage show" is also preferred over "concert." In addition, many words retain British pronunciation, such as vitamin (ˈvɪtəmɪn). Burmese English is non-rhotic.
For units of measurement Burmese English use both those of the Imperial System
and those of the International System of Units
interchangeably, but the values correspond to the SI system. Burmese English continues to use Indian numerical units such as lakh
and crore
.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
dialect used in Burma (also known as Myanmar), spoken by an estimated 2.4 million people, about 5% of the population (1997).
History
The British EmpireBritish Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
annexed modern-day Burma in three stages over a six-decade span (1824–1885). It administered Burma as a province of British India until 1937, and as a separate colony until 1948. During the British colonial period
British rule in Burma
British rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948, from the Anglo-Burmese Wars through the creation of Burma as a province of British India to the establishment of an independently administered colony, and finally independence...
, English was the medium of instruction
Medium of instruction
Medium of instruction is a language used in teaching. It may or may not be the official language of the country or territory. Where the first language of students is different from the official language, it may be used as the medium of instruction for part or all of schooling. Bilingual or...
in higher education, although it did not replace Burmese
Burmese language
The Burmese language is the official language of Burma. Although the constitution officially recognizes it as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese. Burmese is the native language of the Bamar and related sub-ethnic groups of the Bamar, as well as...
as the vernacular. English was the medium of instruction in universities and two types of secondary schools: English schools and Anglo-Vernacular schools (where English was taught as a second language). Burmese English resembles Indian English
Indian English
Indian English is an umbrella term used to describe dialects of the English language spoken primarily in the Republic of India.As a result of British colonial rule until Indian independence in 1947 English is an official language of India and is widely used in both spoken and literary contexts...
to a degree because of historical ties to India during British colonization.
On 1 June 1950, a new education policy was implemented to replace Burmese as the medium of instruction at all state schools, although universities, which continued to use English as the medium of instruction, were unaffected. English became taught as a second language beginning in the Fifth Standard. Until 1965, English was the language of instruction at Burmese universities. In 1965, Burmese replaced English as the medium of instruction
Medium of instruction
Medium of instruction is a language used in teaching. It may or may not be the official language of the country or territory. Where the first language of students is different from the official language, it may be used as the medium of instruction for part or all of schooling. Bilingual or...
at the university level, with the passing of the New University Education Law the previous year. It was reintroduced in 1982. Currently, English is taught from Standard 0 (kindergarten), as a second language. Since 1991, in the 9th and 10th Standards, English and Burmese are both used as the medium of instruction, particularly in science and math subjects, which use English language textbooks. Because of this, many Burmese are better able to communicate in written English than in spoken English, due to emphasis placed on writing and reading.
Characteristics
The preferred system of spelling is based on those of the British, although American EnglishAmerican English
American English is a set of dialects of the English language used mostly in the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the world's native speakers of English live in the United States....
spellings have become increasingly popular. Because Adoniram Judson
Adoniram Judson
Adoniram Judson, Jr. was an American Baptist missionary, who served in Burma for almost forty years. At the age of 25, Adoniram Judson became the first Protestant missionary sent from North America to preach in Burma...
, an American, created the first Burmese-English dictionary, many American English spellings are common (e.g. color, check, encyclopedia). The ‹-ize› form is more commonly used than the ‹-ise> form.
Burmese English is often characterised by its unaspirated consonants, similar to Indian English. It also borrows words from standard English and uses them in a slightly different context. For instance, "pavement" (British English) or "sidewalk" (US English) is commonly called "platform" in Burmese English. "Stage show" is also preferred over "concert." In addition, many words retain British pronunciation, such as vitamin (ˈvɪtəmɪn). Burmese English is non-rhotic.
For units of measurement Burmese English use both those of the Imperial System
Imperial unit
The system of imperial units or the imperial system is the system of units first defined in the British Weights and Measures Act of 1824, which was later refined and reduced. The system came into official use across the British Empire...
and those of the International System of Units
International System of Units
The International System of Units is the modern form of the metric system and is generally a system of units of measurement devised around seven base units and the convenience of the number ten. The older metric system included several groups of units...
interchangeably, but the values correspond to the SI system. Burmese English continues to use Indian numerical units such as lakh
Lakh
A lakh is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to one hundred thousand . It is widely used both in official and other contexts in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and is often used in Indian English.-Usage:...
and crore
Crore
A crore is a unit in the Indian number system equal to ten million , or 100 lakhs. It is widely used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan....
.
Pronunciation
In Burmese English, the k, p, and t consonants are unaspirated , as a general rule, as in Indian English. The following are commonly seen pronunciation differences between Standard English and Burmese English:| Standard English | Burmese English | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| ur (e.g. further, Burma) | /á/ | Pronounced with a high tone (drawn-out vowel), as in Burmese |
| ow (e.g. now, brow) | /áuɴ/ | Pronounced with a nasal final instead of an open vowel |
| ie (e.g. pie, lie) | /aiɴ/ | Pronounced with a nasal final instead of an open vowel |
| tu (e.g. tuba, tuba) | /tɕu/ | e.g. "tuition," commonly pronounced [tɕùʃìɴ] |
| sk (e.g. ski) | /sək-/ | Pronounced as 2 syllables |
| st (e.g. star) | /sət-/ | Pronounced as 2 syllables |
| pl (e.g. plug) | /pəl/ | Pronounced as 2 syllables |
| v (e.g. vine) | /b/ | |
| -nk (e.g. think) | /ḭɴ/ | Pronounced with a short, creaky tone (short vowel) |
| -ng (e.g. thing) | /iɴ/ | Pronounced as a nasal final |
| consonantal finals (.e.g. stop) | /-ʔ/ | Pronounced as a glottal stop (as in written Burmese, where consonantal finals are pronounced as a stop) |