The Literature Of Myanmar 2k4kw

THE LITERATURE OF MYANMAR The literature of Myanmar, former1y Burma, has a long history. The Mayazedi inscription (A.D. 1113) is the earliest extant specimen of Burmese literature. It narrates the dedication of the Golden Buddha by a prince and the gift of slave-villages to the image, ending with a prayer for the donor and his friends. Over a thousand such dedicatory inscriptions were set up in the next 700 years, containing eloquent poems and prayers of poetic merit. In the fifteenth century up to the nineteenth century, palm-leaf (scratched with a stylus) and folded-paper literature became common. Such works were filled with Buddhist piety and courtly refinement of language. The authors were monks, educated courtiers, and court poetesses. Prose works during this period were few, mostly Buddhist scriptures and chronicles of kings. Poetry was varied: there were historical ballads, panegyric odes, the pyo (Buddhist story in verse), and the ya-du (poems of love or nature). The writers also used the "mixed style" or prose and poetry together. Examples of this are the Yagan, a serio-comic epic, and the Myil-Ta-za, a letter of an abbot to the king. Modem fiction began with the novel. An example is Tet-Pon-gyn, a classical novel. With the founding of the University of Rangoon in 1920 came an increase in output of Burmese literature. Foreign literature, especially English works, was transplanted. With independence in 1948, Burmese has gradually replaced English as the medium of The people of Myanmar are peace-loving and hardworking. Most of them live in villages and work as farmers. This speech of then Prime Minister U Nu serves to remind the Myanmar people to pursue peace and unity among them. ON THE THREE EVILS Humanity has been led astray by three evils - greed, hatred and ignorance. Whether we are Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Animists, or Atheists, we cannot escape the three inevitables: old age, disease, and death. Nobody can deny that the five sense objects - pretty sight, delightful sound, fragrant smell, savory taste, and nice touch - are only fleeting phenomena. They are neither lasting nor permanent. Nor can anybody deny that property is transitory: no one can carry away his property after death. Men have been chasing these transitory pleasures with a dogged tenacity mainly because they hold false views regarding property. They forget that this life is not even one millionth part of the whirlpool of Samsara (the cycles of rebirth), and go on amassing wealth even though it never brings them full satisfaction. This insatiable greed for wealth results in the profit motive which is not directed toward any utilitarian purpose. Once upon a time all commodities were common property, and everybody had a right to use them for his own benefit. But with the advent of the profit motive these commodities became objects of exploitation. They became instruments of wealth and stimulus for greed. This led to the fallowing phenomena: 1. Human society was split into two classes: Haves and Have-nots. 2. The Have-nots had to depend on the Haves for their living, and thus the evil system of exploitation of one class by another emerged. 3. With class exploitation, the poor became poorer because they could not get adequate returns for their work. They had to resort to evil ways like stealing, looting, and prostitution. 4. The Lord Buddha has taught us that there are four causes of death: kamma, frame of mind, weather, and food. Under the system of class exploitation, how can the Have nots enjoy good food and protect themselves from extremes of weather? Can there be any sense of happiness or contentment for them? Can even a good kamma favor one who is cheerless? Thus one who is born into the class of Have-nots is handicapped in all the above four factors, and disease is the inevitable result. 5. How can the Have-nots care for education with their hard struggle for our living? Lack of education breeds an ever-increasing band of ignoramuses and Mr. Zeros. 6. How can a country abounding in ignoramuses and Mr. Zeros ever progress? It is evident that most of the evils in the world can be traced to the advent of the profit motive. Do you the legend of the Padaythabin (the tree of fulfillment) we heard as children? According to the legend, there was once a time when men and women could get whatever they wanted from the Padaythabin tree. There was no problem of food or clothes or housing, and there was no crime. Disease was comparatively unknown. In course of time, however, the people fell victim to greed and spoiled the tree of fulfillment which eventually disappeared. Then a class of people who could not afford to eat well, dress well, or live well appeared, and crime became rampant. Now I ask you to think of the Padaythabin as the natural wealth of our country, both above and under the ground. If only this natural wealth is used for the common good of mankind it will be inexhaustible, besides satisfying the needs

of everybody. But greed comes in the way. The poorest of the poor wants to become rich; the rich want to become richer, and the process goes on ad infinitum. Spurred on by greed, people are apt to VISION by Feraya A country of great beauty People so gentle and kind There is also ugliness And cruelty Fleeing and hiding And foraging for food To survive Our people are in pain Suffering like no hell on earth Darkness and despair Surround them And freedom is out of reach Beaten and battered by life Death and diseases Swallowed up by gloominess And bitterness How can they carry on? Each of us has a role to play To help our countrymen Not by hatred and blame Not by giving false hope Or ideas Or concepts But to see the big vision A vision that's not small or limited A vision that's vast and spacious So that Burma's people may rise up

Like a beautiful lotus From a muddy pond.

Bones Will Crow: An lnsidcr's View (An excerpt) Posted by Arc, 17th October 2012 Bones will Crow comes from Moe Law’s poem Moonless Night. Co-editors ko ko thett and James Byrne thought the Burmese idiom fitting for their anthology of '15 Contemporary Burmese Poets.' Bones will Crow means. chicken comes home to roost whatever you give, you get back. The Burmese use it to express their resentment. The resentment against injustice. To be honest I did not find it very tasteful when I heard it for the first time. Since then I have acquired a taste for Bones. My ears have been tamed. My lips got used to saying it. Bones will Crow: An Insider’s View – Arc Publications Blog

IDIOMS OR IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS are words, phrases or expressions which are commonly used in everyday conversation by native speakers of English and usually figurative. Examples. 1. Give me a hand 2. Hit the books 3. Keep an eye on you 4. You’re pulling my leg 5. Cat’s got your tongue LUXURY PAINT AND PVC PIPING Celebrities perform a range of different social, cultural and political functions. In Burma their social and cultural roles are no different, though they have the added burden of maintaining an identity within a politically repressive and highly media-controlled society. In this environment, advertising provides celebrities with a short-term financial reward, and an opportunity to further promote their orand image. Though some actors have used their fame to voice criticism against junta policies, most see advertising in practical of maintaining a career. Many live near the relatively small Yangon CBD, in some of the few middle class (by Burmese standards) suburbs, where they may find it difficult to maintain anonymity. It is not uncommon see singers and actors in the street, during social encounters or even whilst they are shooting a new TV commercial. The localness of famous people in Burma, in this sense, gives their patronage an extra sense of familiarity in advertising work. PROPAGANDA  publicly to promote something: information put out by an organization or government to promote a policy, idea, or cause  misleading publicity: deceptive or distorted information that is systematically spread Basic Propaganda Strategies 1. Bandwagon - persuading consumers by telling them that others are doing the same thing. 2. Testimonial - when a product is sold by using words from famous people or authority figures. i.e. Burmese celebrities promoting brands 3. Transfer - when a product is sold by the name or picture of a famous person or thing but no words from the said person or thing 4. Repetition - when the product's name is repeated at least four times in the ad 5. Emotional Words - words that will make a consumer feel strongly about someone or something are used ADJECTIVES AND COMPLEMENTS Adjectives • add to the meaning of a Noun or a Pronoun • can be articles like "a" "an" and "the", or show possession such as your, his, my, their, our, or its • tell us more about the noun or pronoun, for instance that, what, those, or these, or be interrogative, what, where, or why • some modify by comparing, richer, whole or ideal impossible • others are indefinite and include all, many, few, some, or several • also, some give physical descriptions like big, old or brown • others consist of beautiful, Burmese and advertising Adjective Complement Clause or phrase that adds to the meaning of an adjective or modifies it, adjective complement always follows the adjective it complements and it is a noun clause or a prepositional phrase a. Noun clause is simply two or more words that act like a noun, it can be the subject of a sentence, an object of a verb or preposition, or they can complement a subject or adjective i.e. \What you see, that he is happy, and where the Burmese went b. Prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and modifies nouns and verbs 1.e. "It came with the ad", "I need a ride to Myanmar'' Subject Complement

Adjectives and adjective phrases function as subject complements. A subject complement is a word, phrase, or clause that follows a linking verb and describes the subject. i.e. Christmas cookies smell delicious. Object Complement Adjectives and adjective phrases function as object complements. An object complement is a word, phrase, or clause that directly follows and describes the direct object. i.e. Judeo-Christians consider Jerusalem holy. Opinion Signal Words *may, ought, could, might, possibly, sometimes, often, I think, it is believed, usually, seem (s), probably, many people believe, everyone, no one, everybody, always PRAYER FOR BURMA by May Ng Do you recall the land of golden spires? Where morning bells are answered with murmurs of saffron prayers And the silence of bare feet echoing their innocence In a land overwhelmed by evilness and greed A message of hope for hearts in deepest despair In a language of love for a people enduring only callousness and betrayal A s their Meta Sutra chants rose high up above Reflecting in the stillness of their gaze You can see great courage and dignity in the eyes of Burmese monks I the summer a lifetime ago When your soft hair was shaved and the first time you wore your Thin-gann the novice monk's robe And your beautiful boyish face was full of determination With serene downcast eyes After shedding Shinlaung's ceremonial finery You remained a Buddhist monk To devote your life to your people and your religion I also the dark winter nights When you stayed up late studying Buddha's scripture, poetry and politics Looking to find answers for your people's suffering Since last September The war against evil has only just begun And I know that you will fight on I am quite sure that Your prayer will be answered Your hopes will come true And your fight will be won Not because Your anger is fiercer And your power mightier Or their hatred more bitter But because Your cause is just Your prayers are sincere You will win in the end There is nothing to stop your spirit and your hope No one can silence your prayers for peace and freedom in Burma We shall never forget our monks who were at the forefront of our march for freedom. THE COUNTRY'S GOOD SON by Minn New Thein

Lin Aung's mother had a shop in the Mingaladon market, where she sold slippers. Lin Aung helped his mother in the shop during his school holidays. As the Mingaladon market was an army market, soldiers could be seen shopping there daily. It was more crowded on Sundays. Many soldiers could be seen moving about busily. It was Sunday, and Lin Aung was sitting in front of the shop; "Younger Brother, do you have real 'Sin-kye' No. 9?" A young man, wearing tros, entered and asked him. Quickly Lin Aung took a pair of 'Sinkye' No. 9 slippers and showed them. "How much are these slippers, Young Brother?" Twenty - one Kyats, Elder Brother.ff "Can I take only the right side slipper and pay you ten Kyats and fifty pyas?" The young man's question made Lin Aung's eyes become wide. If he sold only the right side, how could he sell the left side? And why did he want only one slipper? "You can't do that. If I sell only the right side, the one left in the shop will become useless. 'Yes, but I want only the right side. But wait, I'll go and look for a partner." Lin Aung was left behind, looking at the back of the young man, who walked away, limping. Soon, the young man came back. He had another young man with him. The first young man asked Ling Aung for the slippers, and gave the left side slipper to the young man who had come with him. He lifted the leg of his tro and put on the slipper. Then he nodded with satisfaction. Only then did Lin Aung understand. They were buying and sharing one pair of slippers. The first young man had a false left leg, and second young man had a false right leg. So everything was all right because there was one who wanted only the right side, and another who wanted only the left side. Lin Aung was sorry to see the condition of the two young men. They were quite young, and they each had a leg missing. "Don't you feel sad that you have only one leg?" Lin Au ng as inquisitive and asked them. W h y should we be sad?" the first young man smiled. 'We are soldiers who offered even our own lives for our country. We are proud to lose a leg in protecting our country." When Lin Aung heard the first young man’s answer, he respected them. They were very different from the young drug addicts about whom he had often read in the newspapers. They were wasting their lives and killing themselves. These young men were the country's good sons who were protecting the country from its enemies. Their aims and intentions were as different from those of the addicts as east from west, north from south. Although these young men had one leg missing, they still wanted to serve their country. The two young soldiers told Lin Aung that they planned to work in the disabled soldiers' cooperative shop. "I respect you and honor you. You good sons of the country are the jewels of our country. When I grow up, I will try to be a good son of the country like you." The two young soldiers smiled to hear Lin Aung's words. We ire your intention. Our country's future will really be bright if there were more young people in our country with the same aim and intention as yours. All right, we will go now." PRECIS OR A SUMMARY - is a short version of a age containing only the main points and main ing points. Sample Paragraph Teaching is the noblest of professions. A teacher has a sacred duty to perform. It is he on whom rests the responsibility of moulding the character of young children. Apart from developing their intellect, he can inculcate in them qualities of good citizenship, remaining neat and clean, talking decently and sitting properly. These virtues are not easy to be imbibed. Only he who himself leads a life of simplicity, purity and rigid discipline can successfully cultivate these habits in his pupils. Besides a teacher always remain young. He may grow old in age, but not in spite. Perpetual with budding youths keeps him happy and cheerful. There are moments when domestic worries weigh heavily on his mind, but the delightful company of innocent children makes him overcome his transient moods of despair. Precis /Summary Teaching is the noblest profession. A teacher himself leading a simple, pure and disciplined life can mould the character of the young children and make them neat and good mannered citizens. Besides he remains every young forgetting his own domestic worries in the constant company ODHORIAL ARTICLE - expresses an opinion about a current issue or topic. Fine Arts

"Fine arts are important in the curriculum because of what they do for learning," stated Patty Taylor, arts consultant for the California State Department of Education. In other words, the arts, especially music, should be part of every school's curriculum at every grade level. Music makes students smarter, gives children something positive to Do, and builds self-confidence. Most students don't have a chance to learn music outside of school, and everyone deserves that opportunity. Students would be much smarter if they had some music experience. They would improve their classroom skills, like paying attention, following directions, and participating without interrupting. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Musicians are a/so better in math, and they get higher S.A. T. Scores. For instance, a Study by the College Entrance Examination Board reported, "Students with 20 units of arts and music scored 128 points higher on the S.A. T. Verbal and 118 points higher in math" A Rockefeller Foundation study states that music majors have the highest rate of ittance to medical school_ Making music also lets children use their imaginations, Unlike playing with video games and electronic stuffed animals. "It provides students a chance to try out their own ideas," according to the October 1997 Caledonia Educator. Music makes children well-rounded students. Music not only makes children better students but also gives them something positive to do. In a music program, children can be part of a band or choir instead of ing a gang. Parents can enjoy listening to their children's music instead of seeing them glued to a computer or TV screen. In band, students get to be part of a team. They can interact with old friends and make new friends through music. While teaming and making music, children can also be exploring a potential career. Music builds self-confidence. It gives children a sense of accomplishment and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practice performing in front of an audience. As reported in the California Educator, "It gives [students] self-confidence and a feeling of importance to have a skill someone appreciates. They are also learning how to accomplish something from beginning to end and actually come out with a product that they can be proud of " Music gives children an outlet for self-expression, and that helps develop their selfconfidence. Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their character. Unfortunately, the children who need music lessons the most usually don't have access to them outside of school. That is why music should be offered in every single grade in every school. EVALUATION PAPER - is a type of argument that includes evidence to justify a writer's opinions about a subject. Evaluation Essay on Gender in Advertising Gender differences and biases have been c1 part of the normal fives of humans ever since anyone can . Anthropological evidence has revealed that even the humans and the hominids of ancient times had separate roles for men and women in their societies, and this relates to the concepts of epistemology. There were certain things that women were forbidden to do and similarly men could not partake in some of the activities that were traditionally resented for women. This has given birth to the gender role stereotypes that we find today. These differences have been ed on to our current times; although many differences occur now that have caused a lot of debate amongst the people as to their appropriateness and have made it possible for us to have a stereotyping threat by which we sometimes assign certc1in qualities to certain people without thinking. For example, many men are blamed for undermining women and stereotyping them for traditional roles, and this could be said to be the same for men; men are also stereotyped in many of their roles. This leads to social constructionism since the reality is not always depicted by what we see by our eyes. These ideas have also carried on in the world of advertising and the differences shown between the males and the females are apparent; n many ments we see today. This can have some serious impacts on the society as people begin to stereotype the gender roles in reamy. There has been a lot of attention given to the portrayal of gender in advertising by both practitioners as well as academics and much of this has been done regarding the portrayal of women in advertising (Ferguson, Kreshel, & Tinkham 40-51; BeJJ;zzi & MifnBr 71-79). This has led many to believe that most of the ments and their contents are sexist in nature. It has been noted by viewing various ads that women are shown as being more concerned about their beauty and figure rather than being shown as authority figures in the ads; they are usually shown as the product s. Also, there is a tendency in many countries, including the United States, to portray women as being subordinate to men, as alluring sex objects, or as decorative objects. This is not right as it portrays women as the weaker sex, being only good as objects.

At the same time, many of the ads do not show gender biases in the pictures or the graphics, but some bias d<Jes tum up in the language