Keeping the Burmese Language Alive
Insight Myanmar30 Syys 2022

Keeping the Burmese Language Alive

Episode #125: Given the deteriorating and destabilizing situation in Myanmar, one might assume that experts in the fields of Burma Studies, along with Burmese language teachers, would be more important now than ever. Yet nonetheless, the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) has elected to terminate the post of Professor of Burmese.

Burmese language instruction at SOAS dates back to 1917, when civil servants associated with Britain’s colonial administration studied Burmese. Yet the institution is now experiencing financial problems that can be traced back to Brexit, and Covid has only exacerbated the situation. As a result, Justin Watkins, who currently holds the position, was informed in the summer in 2020 that his position was at risk of being cut, and he was given two years to seek out funding to build an endowment. However, the military coup happened only months later, it became very difficult to ask for funding for his program that otherwise would probably go to supporting a country in such dire circumstances. Watkins has requested a two-year extension, but the post is set to expire this month.


Watkins fears that at a time when it has been so difficult for the crisis in Myanmar to break into the international community’s consciousness, cutting his program would only serve to further relegate the country and its people to the background. Plus, SOAS is one of the few institutions in the world that still offers Burmese language study.


Watkins points to the negative effect that decreased opportunities for Burmese language study will have on aid workers, diplomats, human rights activists, and others who can do far better work when they are able to speak in the local language.

Jaksot(511)

Beth Upton

Beth Upton

From deep meditative absorption with Pa Auk Sayadaw, to sitting in caves in southern Spain in the company of drug addicts and criminals, Beth Upton has led a most amazing spiritual life! In 2008, Bet...

31 Maalis 20222h 27min

Resistance and Transformation

Resistance and Transformation

Some listeners may recall Chit Tun’s first interview with Insight Myanmar, just weeks after the coup was launched. At that time, he was leading nonviolent protests throughout Yangon. He was hiding out...

24 Maalis 20222h 17min

Education: The Passport to the Future

Education: The Passport to the Future

Nelson Mandela famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Conversely, one of the best ways to prevent change within a society is to limit access, cen...

19 Maalis 20221h 38min

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

Pyae Phyo Kyaw, a gay doctor, is simultaneously helping his countrymen while taking a sledgehammer to the barriers that have long defined Burmese society.Pyae Phyo Kyaw was aware of his sexual orienta...

10 Maalis 20221h 32min

Alan Senauke, Engaged Buddhist

Alan Senauke, Engaged Buddhist

In the aftermath of student strikes in 1968, Alan left Columbia University and moved to Berkeley, California. There, he found himself amid a whirlwind of social unrest: the counter-culture movement, a...

3 Maalis 20222h 6min

The Language of Freedom

The Language of Freedom

Most people would not regard a violent military coup as the best time to start an organization, but that's exactly what Katie Craig and her partners did! Katie has worked with minority language commun...

24 Helmi 20221h 28min

This Woman’s Work

This Woman’s Work

“I think Tatmadaw is a place where soldiers and their families have lost their human rights,” Su Thit asserts. Her bold criticism of Myanmar's military is somewhat unusual because her husband was one ...

17 Helmi 20221h 2min

Looking Within A Burmese Nunnery

Looking Within A Burmese Nunnery

Like so many other spiritual seekers from the West, Kim Shelton and her husband were attracted to Myanmar by the opportunities that the country presents for developing a deeper Buddhist practice. Kim’...

10 Helmi 202258min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
tervo-halme
viisupodi
rss-podme-livebox
otetaan-yhdet
rss-asiastudio
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
aihe
rss-sanna-ukkola-show-verkkouutiset
rikosmyytit
the-ulkopolitist
rss-pallo-keskelle-2
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-terveisia-seelannista
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-vain-talouselamaa