Should it be Burma or Myanmar? by Mousson
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Description
WHO, WHAT, WHY?
The Magazine answers...
'Burma' to the pro-democracy camp
Protest marches in Burma have entered a ninth day. But why is the country not known in the UK by its official name, Myanmar?
The eyes of the world's media are focused on Rangoon, where tensions are rising in the streets, yet news organisations and nations differ in what they call the country.
The ruling military junta changed its name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989, a year after thousands were killed in the suppression of a popular uprising. Rangoon also became Yangon.
THE ANSWER
It's known as Myanmar in many countries and at the UN
But the UK doesn't recognise the legitimacy of the regime that changed the name
The Adaptation of Expression Law also introduced English language names for other towns, some of which were not ethnically Burmese.
The change was recognised by the United Nations, and by countries such as France and Japan, but not by the United States and the UK.
A statement by the Foreign Office says: "Burma's democracy movement prefers the form 'Burma' because they do not accept the legitimacy of the unelected military regime to change the official name of the country. Internationally, both names are recognised."
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.
But look in a Lonely Planet guidebook to Asia and the country can be found listed after Mongolia, not Brunei. The Rough Guide does not cover Burma at all, because the pro-democracy movement has called for a tourism boycott.
How to say 'Myanmar'
So does the choice of Burma or Myanmar indicate a particular political position?
Mark Farmener, of Burma Campaign UK, says: "Often you can tell where someone's sympathies lie if they use Burma or Myanmar. Myanmar is a kind of indicator of countries that are soft on the regime.
PHOTO: IDEOLOGICAL GOVERNEMENT PROPAGANDA
Comments (49)
carlx
Great questions and answers! Excellent life moment capture!!!
Richardphotos
I have always thought of it being Burma and will continue.outstanding capture and very candid
trishabadblood
wow.. the poor people who name or names... this has to be hardest on the children, who live there and go to school. Wonderful capture...
Chipka
This is such an intriguing capture...brilliant. It's always a bit frightening for me to look at propaganda images. They all have that same boring, spooky idealism...some forms of religious art have this quality as well. Rather like a desire to completely de-humanize communities. This capture brilliantly shows that! It's beautifully composed and a great piece of photographic work! Fantastic!
SSoffia
HERMANA MIA !!!!! KARMATICA Y HERMOSA , QUE MAGNIFICA CAPTURA Y COMO DELEITAS CON TU DIALOGO !!!! CUANTO APRENDE UNO CONTIGO :) CUANTO MAS ? ESTOY ANSIOSA !!!!!!!!
JaneEden
Interesting capture and also story behind it. Excellent - hugs Jane xx
MagikUnicorn
Les femmes travailles forts dans ce pays :) Un choix ou l'autre ca reste le coeur des gens qui comptes
mikeerson
I've heard you talk about this country as Burma...I don't recall the name Myanmar... Confusing... Reminds me of the Renderosity world we live in. The changing of the Avatar. When I was in school and created my JMA logo, I was taught to create an identifiable logo and stick with it. My JMA logo is in my avatar, it is the JMA that is connected together to create a design. The word mikeerson was created for my email address. I prefer to be called Mike, but my full name is Jeffrey Michael Anderson... I prefer not to use Jeffrey, because my Father chose that name and left my Mother when I was 3. I chose the name Mike. Now that I am older, The law recognizes me as Jeffrey, even though I want them to call me Mike... Names, Avatars... they all can get tricky. ...mikeerson was invented by me 5 years ago. It's just mike anderson with the and and the space left out. ...Interesting picture.
MarciaGomes
MOUSSON INTERESSANTE FOTO,FANTÁSTICO TEXTO.+++++++5
RobyHermida
Excellent shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Roby ;O) :O) ;O)
jeroni
excelente grafiti como siempre una bella foto periodistica
delbeke
Ne pas obtenir m'a commencé sur les Nations Unies. C'est une plaisanterie. Je ne signifie pas les gens qui essaient aider en fait dans le champ. Je parle des grosses conversations qui s'asseyent sur le conseil de sécurité. J'ai été à sa place où les troupes d'ONU ont été et il si triste pour voir la frustration dans leurs yeux quand ils ont les atrocités d'état d'attente et montre arrivant et ne peuvent rien faire, à cause d'un mandat d'ONU de seulement observateurs. Désolé pour la rodomontade. : O) ce doit être ce que nomme le besoin de gens. Ils doivent voter dessus. Rien plus, rien moins.
sessan53
Excellent work as always... Bravo:-)hugs sessan
JeffG7BRJ
When I was at school we did geography as a subject and had world atlases to study with. After a couple of years these Atlases were out of date because some contries had changed their name so new Atlases were printed and again they became out of date. Once again some contries changed their name and some encroched into other countries and borders changed as well. I look now at a new atlas and wonder where has half of Africa gone, I knew it as a child. Where has half the World gone, that I also knew as a child. I cannot answer, why England does not recognise Myanmar, neither can I answer, where has half the world vanished to. Excellent image very thought provoking and very topical indeed. Bravo!!!!!
goodoleboy
Even as the peddler pushes his cart up the road in this fine shot, I'm now more confused than ever whether to call it Burma or Myanmar.
velasco
Interesante toma
amlondono
Great capture , political propaganda ! The naming of countries ..... always leave something to think about. Love Burma . Thanks for sharing . Ana
ontar1
Deep questions answered only through politics, still actually unanswered, great story and excellent capture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jocko500
Love it. the sign shows a step into the modern age and the person pushin g the cart shows where they at now. cool
lilbiscuit
Wonderful capture!!!
jif3d
It seems jolly old England named a lot of places and the names have stuck, which is a shame that they have no respect or thought for the actual inhabitants of the country and what they call it, but on the other the name shouldn't be up to the Military, but the people instead ! Interesting capture and thoughts ! ~Cheers~ :o)
MUSEWORX
A real dillema this can be! Superb capture!
VelvetMoxie
I love this photo--the vendor with the cart seems in a hurry to travel to one or the other yet I keep expecting to see him turn around and head the other way, LOL! I love your journalistic entries too--We are all learning a lot about this area thanks to you!
sharky_
Footleg power..........Interesting capture. Aloha
huismus
Interesting story, thank you. It’s above my comprehension.
tallpindo
Wisdom is no longer ecclesiastical. Not since Henry the eighth. Philosophy triumphed for a time and then came the manifesto. Humbleness became common sense. I am looking at the alphabet. Be sharp or be square.
NekhbetSun
Captivating story and image...well done ~
RodolfoCiminelli
Impresionante fotografía que tiene una muy equilibrada composición y un gran contenido social.....!!!!
hipps13
wonderful work
moochagoo
Superbe composition, tout un symbole !