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)
sazzart
Burma! I despise power mad military juntas.
Denys234
Excellent work!!
Cosme..D..Churruca
Superb pic and a most interesting report!
LudyMelltSekher
Hermosa fotografía amiga, como siempre son algo muy especial, Excelente!!!!! Un millón de estrellas de mí parte**** Bendiciones Luminosas. Ludy
stolta
Excellent capture!!!!!!!!!!!!
JOEANOMALY
Excellent photo of life in Burma*****
Brujita
fantastique!!!
SecondChoice
i know it as "Birma".
junge1
An excellent capture of a current situation. I didn't know the nuances of one name or the other. I am glad that you explained it. To me it was always Burma, and even as a boy it was Burma with Rangoon as its capital.
magnus073
Super pic, love your detailed explanation of this whole thing.
three_grrr
After all the things you have told us and shown us, in my heart it will be Burma. Myanmar represents a cruel and uncaring dictatorship, one that is not wanted by it's people.
yakchat
Very interesting.....excellent capture hon....love, Carol
HeartsRender
So interesting!!!! Thanks for sharing!
KarmaSong
Une photo et un commentaire très 'forts' et émouvants. Cette photo est un message très poignant, et tu as su attendre le passage de ces Birmans travaillant dur pour gagner leur vie face à cette affiche de propagande, pour avoir ici un cliché qui frappe très fort ! Bravo Rosely!
pixeltek
You know me. It's got to be Burma. Anything else is on the wrong side of history. I think someday it will be Burma again - officially.
Digimon
Myanmar est l'histoire et la culture, Burma est politique et donc temporaire.
suignard
ah,mince il n'y a pas de commentaire en Francais !
kasalin
J'aime beaucoup !!!!
mariogiannecchini
Excellent life moment capture!!!