Burmese grammar is different from English grammar. Adjectives are formed differently, but as I pointed out in my comments the problem is deeper. It is more about inconsistent and sloppy use of both the English and the Burmese language (not to mention all these other minority languages in Burma) by many young Burmese whose knowledge of linguistics is very limited.
As I mentioned below I was born in Burma almost 70 years ago and I have seen how the language and the country has changed.
Emjay, what are you referring to in the U.S.? Impeachment in the US is used only to remove people from office, and removal is the only consequence There is no situation I’m aware of in which it could be used retroactively. It would be pointless to do so.
“Bangkok’s snooty middle class doesn’t want to give up one Baht ….”
It’s even worse than this. They don’t have to give up anything. They could tolerate expanding freedom and opportunities that would expand the pie, benefiting them and everyone else. But they are focused only on keeping their share of the pie, even if it means not allowing the pie to expand.
[…] as hard-line military conservative as Minister of Defense. Responding to the newly-formed cabinet, Ed Aspinall wrote in New Mandala that Jokowi had failed his first test by abandoning the reform mission and instead opting for a […]
I hear (and use) both terms – “Myanmar language” and “Burmese language” – regularly. “Myanmar language” seems to be used in more formal contexts, but I’m sure a Myanmar (or Burmese) reader can clarify this.
I don’t know a lot about this particular history, but have visited Singapore countless times since 1963. It’s hard to believe the Barisan Sosialis – a hastily gathered coalition at best – would have delivered the HUGE gains in prosperity, not to mention its’ underpinnings of security and stability, that PAP has. The Barisan Sosialis had a collection of policies which have failed the world over. It could never match PAP for enticing foreign capital – i.e. the underpinning of this entrepot island State’s prosperity – into Singapore, to anything like the extent PAP has. Many thanks to you Mr. Lee Kwan Yew, and also to PAP. Much appreciated.
Interesting article Prof. Kessler.
One major issue lacking however, that needs to be included in order to get the full picture of how Islam has become what it is.
The chronically misguided intervention by the former colonial powers and the US in the Middle East is really the key reason why militant Islamism has been able to grow to such importance. This, linked to very young demographics that are easily manipulated makes for a very dangeours mixture for the region.
A major issue since the end of the cold war is the effect that domestic US politics have on what happens in the Middle East.
There was an excellent PBS documentary about the errors committed after the invasion of Iraq (disregarding the initial deceit) by both the Bush and Obama administrations.
For anybody interested the documentary is freely available on the PBS Frontline website under the name “Losing Iraq”
I am kind of surpirsed that they did not make use of the Kotmai Tra Sam Duang (Law of the three seals). Especially when real Thaines and maintaining the heritage has become so important, this law could be the proper base for the fomulation of a constitution.
We have a person who had resigned from office, was charged based on a constitution that doesn’t exist anymore, and a body that did not exist in the constitution that constitution, but was established in the framework of an “interim draft” which had no references to impeachment procedures. Quite xreative ways to apply laws.
Thailand’s SET closed up a whooping 38 points (2.4%) today following Yingluck’s impeachment that would ban her from politics for 5 years, and, following OAG’s decision to pursue criminal charges against her (resulting from the ruinous Rice Scheme) that could result in jail term if convicted.
You think the British left because of the CPM and Chin Peng ? That’s hilarious. So you really think in the waning days of Malaya, the British only fought the CPM so they could corner the Tin market and employ Malay ‘punkahs’ forever ? Keep away from Merchant-Ivory films for a while and don’t get too weepy when you watch Lord Jim. Gee, despite the death of 30 million Chinese, Mao Zedong did unify China. Hip-Hip Hooray.
Just a couple of notes: None of the text on the scroll is in Lao script. Nearly all the text is Central Thai, rather than Isan/Lao, and the “translations” are really just expansions. This has important implications re incursions of the Thai state and attempts at forced assimilation.
It is true that the festival has been appropriated for “identity” and as a tourist attraction in Roiet City and other provincial capitals, but that has had no effect on the festivals in rural areas.
Anyway, a wonderful book. My own review should be coming out soon.
–Steve
Peter Cohen, does the fact that you had a CPM rifle “stuck in your face” make you the final authority on that period of Singapore’s history? Is that something you put on your business card and CV? “Has a CPM rifle stuck in my face so you can shut the fuck up”
Your response this time is a lot less rational (too any “damn”s for my taste!)
You seem even a bit annoyed. I never said you have to agree with me!
Anyway, I just wanted to point out some absurdities and inconsistencies caused by ad-hoc transliteration and by attempting to force Burmese grammar into English (especially for adjectives and genitives).
Unlike you, I don’t feel the need to be defensive about Burma or the Burmese language. Of course, like everyone else, I have my own personal views about that country, and the way the language itself has “evolved” (sometimes for political reasons) but I think I do have an adequate number of “conversations with ordinary Burmese, Shan etc.” (both pleasant and unpleasant) because I lived in that country for over 20 years.
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Review of Burma’s Spring
Burmese grammar is different from English grammar. Adjectives are formed differently, but as I pointed out in my comments the problem is deeper. It is more about inconsistent and sloppy use of both the English and the Burmese language (not to mention all these other minority languages in Burma) by many young Burmese whose knowledge of linguistics is very limited.
As I mentioned below I was born in Burma almost 70 years ago and I have seen how the language and the country has changed.
Impeaching Yingluck Shinawatra
Emjay, what are you referring to in the U.S.? Impeachment in the US is used only to remove people from office, and removal is the only consequence There is no situation I’m aware of in which it could be used retroactively. It would be pointless to do so.
Impeaching Yingluck Shinawatra
“Bangkok’s snooty middle class doesn’t want to give up one Baht ….”
It’s even worse than this. They don’t have to give up anything. They could tolerate expanding freedom and opportunities that would expand the pie, benefiting them and everyone else. But they are focused only on keeping their share of the pie, even if it means not allowing the pie to expand.
Jokowi fails his first test
[…] as hard-line military conservative as Minister of Defense. Responding to the newly-formed cabinet, Ed Aspinall wrote in New Mandala that Jokowi had failed his first test by abandoning the reform mission and instead opting for a […]
Review of Burma’s Spring
I hear (and use) both terms – “Myanmar language” and “Burmese language” – regularly. “Myanmar language” seems to be used in more formal contexts, but I’m sure a Myanmar (or Burmese) reader can clarify this.
Review: To Singapore, with Love
I don’t know a lot about this particular history, but have visited Singapore countless times since 1963. It’s hard to believe the Barisan Sosialis – a hastily gathered coalition at best – would have delivered the HUGE gains in prosperity, not to mention its’ underpinnings of security and stability, that PAP has. The Barisan Sosialis had a collection of policies which have failed the world over. It could never match PAP for enticing foreign capital – i.e. the underpinning of this entrepot island State’s prosperity – into Singapore, to anything like the extent PAP has. Many thanks to you Mr. Lee Kwan Yew, and also to PAP. Much appreciated.
A rage against history
Interesting article Prof. Kessler.
One major issue lacking however, that needs to be included in order to get the full picture of how Islam has become what it is.
The chronically misguided intervention by the former colonial powers and the US in the Middle East is really the key reason why militant Islamism has been able to grow to such importance. This, linked to very young demographics that are easily manipulated makes for a very dangeours mixture for the region.
A major issue since the end of the cold war is the effect that domestic US politics have on what happens in the Middle East.
There was an excellent PBS documentary about the errors committed after the invasion of Iraq (disregarding the initial deceit) by both the Bush and Obama administrations.
For anybody interested the documentary is freely available on the PBS Frontline website under the name “Losing Iraq”
Impeaching Yingluck Shinawatra
I am kind of surpirsed that they did not make use of the Kotmai Tra Sam Duang (Law of the three seals). Especially when real Thaines and maintaining the heritage has become so important, this law could be the proper base for the fomulation of a constitution.
Impeaching Yingluck Shinawatra
We have a person who had resigned from office, was charged based on a constitution that doesn’t exist anymore, and a body that did not exist in the constitution that constitution, but was established in the framework of an “interim draft” which had no references to impeachment procedures. Quite xreative ways to apply laws.
Impeaching Yingluck Shinawatra
Thailand’s SET closed up a whooping 38 points (2.4%) today following Yingluck’s impeachment that would ban her from politics for 5 years, and, following OAG’s decision to pursue criminal charges against her (resulting from the ruinous Rice Scheme) that could result in jail term if convicted.
Reply to Dr Poh Soo Kai’s rejoinder
If history is written by the victors it badly needs rewriting.
Reply to Dr Poh Soo Kai’s rejoinder
You think the British left because of the CPM and Chin Peng ? That’s hilarious. So you really think in the waning days of Malaya, the British only fought the CPM so they could corner the Tin market and employ Malay ‘punkahs’ forever ? Keep away from Merchant-Ivory films for a while and don’t get too weepy when you watch Lord Jim. Gee, despite the death of 30 million Chinese, Mao Zedong did unify China. Hip-Hip Hooray.
Review of Storytelling in Thailand and Laos
Just a couple of notes: None of the text on the scroll is in Lao script. Nearly all the text is Central Thai, rather than Isan/Lao, and the “translations” are really just expansions. This has important implications re incursions of the Thai state and attempts at forced assimilation.
It is true that the festival has been appropriated for “identity” and as a tourist attraction in Roiet City and other provincial capitals, but that has had no effect on the festivals in rural areas.
Anyway, a wonderful book. My own review should be coming out soon.
–Steve
Reply to Dr Poh Soo Kai’s rejoinder
Despite their violence and delusion, the CPM did help get rid of the British, themselves far from innocent of those faults.
Jokowi: The First Hundred Days
No one shackled Jokowi but himself
Impeaching Yingluck Shinawatra
Thailand stock market closed up 23 points (1.5%) today. That suggests that the ‘money’ is betting that Yingluck is toast …
What will tomorrow’s SET reaction to Yingluck’s impeachment (and oncoming criminal headaches to follow) be?
Nick Nostitz in the killing zone
[…] Photos and a direct account of his experience in one political protest can be found here. […]
Singapore’s “Battle for Merger” revisited – Part II
[…] http://www.newmandala.org/2015/01/14/singapores-battle-for-merger-revisited-part-ii/ […]
Review: To Singapore, with Love
Peter Cohen, does the fact that you had a CPM rifle “stuck in your face” make you the final authority on that period of Singapore’s history? Is that something you put on your business card and CV? “Has a CPM rifle stuck in my face so you can shut the fuck up”
Review of Burma’s Spring
Your response this time is a lot less rational (too any “damn”s for my taste!)
You seem even a bit annoyed. I never said you have to agree with me!
Anyway, I just wanted to point out some absurdities and inconsistencies caused by ad-hoc transliteration and by attempting to force Burmese grammar into English (especially for adjectives and genitives).
Unlike you, I don’t feel the need to be defensive about Burma or the Burmese language. Of course, like everyone else, I have my own personal views about that country, and the way the language itself has “evolved” (sometimes for political reasons) but I think I do have an adequate number of “conversations with ordinary Burmese, Shan etc.” (both pleasant and unpleasant) because I lived in that country for over 20 years.