3 Answers - Sort by: Date | Rating
In the native ("Burmese") language, Myanmar is the name of the country previously called (in English, by most everyone) Burma, or the Union of Burma. The name Burma comes from the ruling elite and population majority in the country, who were traditionally the Bamar, or Burmans (Burmanese). The people of Burma/Myanmar might better be referred to as the Myanma people, which name would refer to all ethnic groups living there.
In 1988 a military junta seized power in Burma, changing the name to Myanmar in 1989. The renaming probably would have passed off without comment except for the illegal and violent way the junta had seized power; many outsiders see this government as having no right to rule, and certianly not to change the country's name. What's worse, the junta disregarded the results of national elections in 1990, which should have The National League for Democracy to power, effectively imprisoning the party leader, Aung San Suu Kyi instead for the last 18 years.
So at the moment, the country's name is in limbo, from an international perspective. Myanmar may actually be a better (more representative name for the people living there) of the country, but using the new name may be lending legitimacy to a brutal regime that does not deserve to be in power.
In 1988 a military junta seized power in Burma, changing the name to Myanmar in 1989. The renaming probably would have passed off without comment except for the illegal and violent way the junta had seized power; many outsiders see this government as having no right to rule, and certianly not to change the country's name. What's worse, the junta disregarded the results of national elections in 1990, which should have The National League for Democracy to power, effectively imprisoning the party leader, Aung San Suu Kyi instead for the last 18 years.
So at the moment, the country's name is in limbo, from an international perspective. Myanmar may actually be a better (more representative name for the people living there) of the country, but using the new name may be lending legitimacy to a brutal regime that does not deserve to be in power.
1
0
Myanma (without the r) was always the official name of the country by the natives!
Guest
commented 2 years ago
I prefer Burma instead of Myanmar.
Guest
answered 6 months ago
The problem of which to use is definitely political- calling it "Burma" says you don't agree with the legitimacy of the current government, since they changed the name as part of trying to be a supposedly "people's" movement in opposition to the old ruling elite from colonial days, when really they're no more legitimate. Calling it Myanmar tacitly endorses the situation, or at least accepts it as it is. And of course, for conversation in English, Burma is much easier to say than Myanmar, so speaking informally we tend to use the old name.
0
0
Guest
answered 5 months ago
- What Is Justin Bieber's Favourite Type Of Chocolate?
- What Is Ashley Tisdale Favourite Food?
- What Is Real Age And Birthday Oa Justin Bieber?
- Is Selena Gomez A Bitch?
- What Is Criss Angel's Cell Number?
- What Song Includes I Left The Club With A Porn Star?
- Is There A Famous Person Who Lives In Oregon? Please Answer My Question!
- Who Is The Creator Of James Bond?
- What Is Mary The Blessed Virgin Patron Saint Of?
- What Did Columbus Find On His Journey?
- What Did The King And Queen Of Spain Get From Columbus?
- How Old Is Justin Beiber, Is Justin Dating, Is Justin Going To Kiss The Next Girl In His Next Music Seen?
- What Does Nicolas Amador Alvarez Mean?
- Would Justin Bieber Date An 11 Year Old?
- Is Miley Cyrus Going Out?
- Do Justin Bieber Have A Movie Coming Out?
- What Did President Jackson Do In His War On The Bank Of The United States?
- Was There Royalty Named Mallow In Ireland?
- What Time Did Albert Einstein Die?
- Is Miley Montanna?
- Hey Do U Know, Or Kinda Know Some One Famous? Please Tell, I Would Love To Hear U R Story!
- Do U Know Some One Famous, Or Kinda Know Some One Famous? Please Tell! I Would Love To Hear 'bout It.
- Why Are There Not Called The Four Musketeers?
- What Year Was Noah Born?
- Does Justin Bieber Wright With Left Or Right?
- What Direction Would You Travel By Airplane To Go From Sri Lanka To Myanmar (Also Known As Burma)?
- How Can I Call To Burma(myanmar )line Phone And Mobile For Free From My PC?
- Why Did Burma's Name Change In 1989?
- What Is The New Name Of BURMA And When Was It Changed?
- What Is The Capital Of: Burma?
- Is Burma A Country?

New Comment - Comments are editable for 5 min.