8 Reasons Why You Should Learn Burmese
Burmese is the language of Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country that foreigners couldn’t even travel to until 2012 without special permits and permissions. With a uniquely preserved culture and a diverse range of ethnic groups, Myanmar is a special country unlike any other in the world! Burmese, the official language of Myanmar, is spoken as a first or second language by nearly the entire population of Myanmar (approximately 30+ million people), along with a size-able diaspora in other Southeast Asian countries and a somewhat smaller population in places like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
Burmese is a beautifully rhythmic language with an intriguing history and even more fascinating culture surrounding it on all sides. Here are some of the top reasons to learn Burmese!
1. Friendly People
The Myanmar people are some of the friendliest people around! Burmese culture is hospitable and welcoming to foreigners, even despite the years of isolation that Myanmar had from the outside world. When you visit Myanmar or talk to a Burmese person, their cheer and interest is almost infectious. Because of the minimal influence and interaction that Myanmar has had with foreigners, most Burmese people are curious about other cultures and peoples. And, because Myanmar culture encourages hospitality and friendliness towards travelers (and locals), you’re sure to find an abundance of amicable Myanmar friends on even the shortest trip to Burma!
2. Myanmar is a Beautiful Place to Visit!
From the desert-like lowlands of Bagan and central Myanmar to the towering peaks of the Himalayas in the Kachin state, all the way to the beaches of Ngapali and rainforests of Shan state and along the Irrawaddy Delta, Myanmar has diverse landscapes of incredible beauty. There’s a lot to explore, and all that exploration is made even better with the ability to communicate with the local populations! The best way to interact with a country is by speaking to its people, and with a place as intriguing as Myanmar, it’s impossible to visit without at least a taste of the Burmese language.
3. Burmese is a Minority Language
Why is this a good reason to learn Burmese? Well, with a contained, small population of speakers, Burmese is at risk in comparison to large worldwide languages like English or Spanish. And, as such, this language deserves a bit of respect! It has a long tradition and contains a great deal of culture, and people who love to learn more unique and obscure languages will learn a lot about Myanmar culture and Buddhism just by learning Burmese. The Myanmar language doesn’t disappoint, and learning it from a good Myanmar language instructor will surely enhance your understanding and appreciation for the language and culture.
4. Burmese Speakers Are in Demand
Given that Myanmar was isolated for so long, it’s not surprising that non-native speakers of Burmese are somewhat hard to come by right now. And with a growing amount of interest in Myanmar in terms of both business and leisure, the need for people who speak and understand Burmese and other major languages like English is super important! In areas where there are larger populations of Burmese immigrants, the need for Burmese translators is vital, since most Burmese people speak only their mother tongue. By taking the time to learn Burmese, you can increase your professional viability.
5. Learning Burmese is the Best Way to Understand Myanmar Culture
Myanmar culture and the Burmese language are so intimately related that one can barely be learned without also learning the other. And while this might seem like a hefty learning load, it’s actually the perfect combo! Because Burmese is steeped in Myanmar culture, that makes it the ideal learning tactic for understanding Myanmar and its people. When you take advantage of the opportunity to learn Burmese with a native Burmese speaking instructor, you’ll be surprised how much (and how quickly) you learn about Myanmar culture and history!
6. Family Heritage
Do you have a relative or ancestors that were Burmese? What better way to connect to your culture and family by learning Myanmar! For people who have Burmese heritage, no matter where they currently reside or the passport they have, the Myanmar language holds a wealth of cultural information, and it’s the perfect way to reconnect to the culture. If you have living relatives in Myanmar, making an effort to learn Burmese may be one of the best choices you ever make.
7. Business Opportunity
Myanmar is a country on the verge of opportunity, and with a wealth of possible investment possibilities and chances for economy-building, some people may be interested in the idea of learning Burmese to increase the chance of business building in Myanmar. Because the Myanmar language is full of information about Myanmar culture, learning Burmese is a key toward growing business and being able to interact in the business world in Myanmar. Make sure that you learn Burmese with an instructor who can help you also understand the business culture in Myanmar as well as the fine nuances of the language.
8. A Good Challenge for the Language Lover
Burmese is a Sino-Tibetan language that has comparatively few relationships with other languages outside of those inside Myanmar itself. For people who love a good challenge, and who also love learning languages, Burmese is the perfect challenge! Although learning Burmese to a proficient level is certainly an attainable goal, it involves just the right amount of challenge for people who like to a few layers of complexity and intricacy. If you want to start learning a language because you like to delve into fine grammatical points and tricky vocalizations, Burmese may be an awesome choice! Of course, those of you who need to learn Burmese for practical purposes, don’t despair! A Burmese language instructor can help you determine a learning plan that will suit your needs.
Conclusion:
There are a wealth of reasons why you should learn Burmese! These are just a few reasons why you should consider the Burmese language as your next language to tackle, but there are surely more that I don’t have here. This is a beautiful language with a fascinating culture; contact Burmese Tutor today to schedule a lesson and get started learning the language of Myanmar!