I say Burma; you say Myanmar
Cats: CBC Radio, words|With news focusing on the cyclone in Burma, there are conflicting messages as to what the country is in fact called.
Canada, Britain and the US do not recognize the name Myanmar because it was imposed on the country by the military junta in 1989. They say Burma. Pro-democracy campaigners also call it Burma.
The New York Times, United Nations, NATO, and National Geographic call it Myanmar because that is the official name.
The CBC calls it “Burma, also known as Myanmar.”
According to the CBC new editor’s blog,
Here is what we advise: “First reference to this country should always be Burma, also known as Myanmar. Subsequent references can be Burma. “
But the BBC just says Burma. No Myanmar.
It’s general practice at the BBC to refer to the country as Burma, and the BBC News website says this is because most of its audience is familiar with that name rather than Myanmar.
When this typist crossed the border from Thailand to Burma in ‘92, the sign said Welcome to Myanmar. It wasn’t actually that welcoming, but I wasn’t about to kick up a stink to the jackbooted, military officials patrolling the border.
While this typist applauds the CBC for covering all basis, it really should choose. “Burma also know n as Myanmar” sounds clunky and indecisive, as though they are wringing their hands over what to call it.
It’s either Burma or Myanmar. But not both.
The GT style guide rules in favour of Burma because that is the name most people recognize and it is the favourite choice of pro-democracy campaigners.
Spare a thought and maybe a donation for the good people of Burma.
May 6th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
The only Burmese I know, calls it Burma….try and say “Myanmarese”, it just doesn’t work…of course no one would say I’m USSR ese either. Back then, I didn’t even know that many folks living within its borders weren’t “Russian”.
May 6th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I have heard it being discussed on CBC so much that I am starting to think the country is called Burmaalsoknownasmyanmar. But all joking (and political leanings) aside, yes, this is the time to dig deep and help out however we can.
May 7th, 2008 at 2:07 am
I call it Xanadu.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:36 am
I agree, one or the other.
I love the BBC news statement, “most of the audience is familiar with that name (Burma) rather than Myanma.” Well, if you stop calling it Burma people will be familiar with it.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Oops, please add an “r” to the end of that.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Chance, A name is a very political thing. I kept my name when I got hitched because changing it would have sent the wrong message about who I am and what my values are. Even if the junta makes her take its name, I still it her maiden name of Burma.
Barbara, you can almost hear the CBC radio announcers rolling their eyes when they say it.
BeckEye, that’s the ONJ in you.
Allison, I think Burma works best.
Allison2, I thought you were adding a third name to confuse things.
May 7th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I call it “Burma.” One of my favorite restaurants would become “Myanmar Superstar” and that doesn’t have the same ring to it. I was going to make a joke about crayon colors, but in light of the tragedy…
May 8th, 2008 at 7:15 am
isn’t it strange how we can have selective hearing?? I listen to CBC a lot….I have heard them talking about Burma…but until I read this post, I never heard them say “also known as Myanmar”…..weird?
May 8th, 2008 at 11:02 am
WP, I’ve never had Burmese food. The food I had in Burma was rice slop
Is it good? Like Thai?
May 8th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Nanc, eyes are like that too. We see what we want to see.
I wish my ears were more like that when I’m listening to CBC - I could get the good stuff and filter out the junk like Happy Monday etc.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:15 am
“Is it good? Like Thai?”
It’s excellent, I would liken it to a cross between Indian and Thai, with hints of Vietnamese.
May 8th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Generally with insanely large quantities of Garlic and ginger … wonderful! The Charmaine Sullivan classic Asian Cookery has a big section on Burma … GT, it’s Burmese nosh this weekend for you!!