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 7 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 6 months ago
- What Was Hitler And The Jews After President Hindenburg's Death?
- What Is Queen Victoria Most Famous For?
- Did Queen Victoria Achieve Anything?
- How Many Poor Children Work?
- How Many People Attended Queen Elizabeth 2nds Coronation?
- Will I Be A Billionaire?
- At What Age Was Robert Able To Carry His Father Up The Stairs?
- What Size Pants Does Selena Gomez Wear?
- What Is 50cent's Son's Name?
- What Is 50cent's?
- Is Andrew Jackson More Of A Villain Or A Hero?
- Is Justin Bieber Coming To The Staples Center Arena?
- Is Justin Bieber Going To Come To Australia?
- What Are Some Really Awesome Crew Names?
- How Much Is Justin Biebers Cd In Australia?
- How Can I Email Selena Gomez?
- Has Anyone Died At 54 Anne Street, Broome Wa?
- Where Can I Buy A Justin Bieber Cd In New Zealand?
- How Much Are Justin Bieber Concert Tickets?
- Where Can I Buy Justin Bieber Merchandise In The Philippines>?
- What Is Legacys Brother Name?
- What Is The Name Of The New Album By Miley Cyrus?
- What Is Hannah Montana New Album Called?
- Who Is Roger Sherman?
- Were Is Anne Frank Body?
- 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?
- What Language Do They Speak In Burma?

New Comment - Comments are editable for 5 min.