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Burmese By Ear or Essential Myanmar

Reference text to accompany the audio Burmese By Ear or Essential Myanmar

By John Okell

Available for free download from http://www.soas.ac.uk/bbe/ The website of The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London Burmese By Ear Acknowledgements or Essential Myanmar The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Daw Khin Mya Swe and Daw Yin First Published in England in 2002 by Audio- Yin May, both of whom read the draft course for Forum, Sussex Publications Limited, Microworld accuracy. He is also grateful to the following for House, 4 Foscote Mews, London W9 2HH. ISBN finding time to come to the studio and con- 1 86013 758 x tribute to the recordings: U Khin Daw Khin Mya Swe Audio-Forum relinquished publication rights in U Nay Tun Daw Mo Mo Khaing 2006, after which the course was distributed by U Nay Win Daw Saw Yu Win the author. U Pe Than Daw Tin Htar Swe U Than Lwin Tun Daw Tin May Aye From 2009 it has been available for downloading The recordings were made at The School of Ori- free of charge from the website of SOAS, Uni- ental and African Studies in the University of versity of London. London by Michael Baptista and Bernard Howard. Some vital late-stage electronic editing would have been impossible without the capable and generous help of Dr Justin Watkins, Lec- turer in Burmese at SOAS. And SOAS provided facilities for computing, printing, copying, tape- editing, faxing, phoning, email and so on. CONTENTS

begins on: page nº tape nº Introductory: About this course 5 About Burmese 8

The author Part 1. Foundations 1 Statements and questions, numbers 1-9999, and prices John Okell, a graduate of The Queen's College, 14 1A Oxford, was Lecturer in Burmese (Myanmar) at 2 Going to do, want to do, please do, and counting the School of Oriental and African Studies, 31 1B University of London, until his retirement in 1999. Since then he has undertaken short-term Part 2. First needs teaching engagements in Thailand, the USA and 3 Language help 43 2A London, and is active in developing materials 4 Cafés and restaurants 47 2A for the study of Burmese. 5 Taxis 55 2B 6 Shops 70 3A Okell has made numerous visits to Burma 7 Taking photographs 79 3A (Myanmar), is the designer of the Ava Burmese 8 Asking the way 83 3A font for computers, and acts as consultant for various Burma-related activities. He is a Research Associate at the School of Oriental and Part 3. First conversations African Studies, and Chairman of the Britain- 9 Your visit to Burma 88 3A Burma Society in London. He was awarded the 10 Asking names and ages 104 3B Tuttle Grand Prize for 1996 for his work on 11 Asking about work 112 4A Burmese By Ear. 12 Asking about family 118 4A 12+ Parents, brothers and sisters 125 — In addition to articles on Burmese grammar, linguistics, and lexicography, Okell has published Burmese/Myanmar: a dictionary of Part 4. Review 4B grammatical forms (with Anna Allott, 2001), On the tapes, the Review sections are all placed together on Burmese: an introduction (4 vols, 34 tapes, 1993), Tape 4 Side B, following the end of the Lessons. In the First steps in Burmese (1989), A guide to the booklet each Review section is located immediately after romanization of Burmese (1971), and A reference the group of Lessons it reviews. grammar of colloquial Burmese (2 vols, 1969). BURMESE BY EAR or ESSENTIAL MYANMAR Appendices The language has two names: Burmese and Myanmar. Outline description of Burmese — See “About Burmese” below. 1 pronunciation 127 2 script 136 3 grammar 144 To start using the course 4 the number system 162 Simply put Tape 1 in your player and follow the instructions you 5 Topical vocabularies for — hear. The tapes carry all the teaching and all the practice for 5.1 food and drinks 173 Burmese by Ear, so you can learn everything in the course 5.2 sites and placenames 178 without using the booklet at all. The booklet is provided for 5.3 kin terms 182 reference and backup only. For more detail see “About this 5.4 you and I 184 course” below. 5.5 this, that and what 186 5.6 traditional Burmese clothing 187 6 Further reading 189 Help yourself to learn: two vital steps 7 General vocabulary English-Burmese 193 1. After each Exercise, wind back the tape and repeat the exercise until you can speak the answers without hesitating. The audio 2. At the end of each Unit, insert Tape 4 into your player and The audio for Burmese by ear, six hours of playing time, was work through the Review Sections on Side B. Wind back and originally issued on four cassette tapes, distributed as follows: repeat each Review until you can answer fluently and accu- Side at start — Side at start — rately. 1A Lesson 1.1 begins 3A Lesson 6.1 begins 1B Lesson 1.6 continues 3B Lesson 9.2 continues 2A Lesson 2.2 continues 4A Lesson 10.4 continues Why wind back? 2B Lesson 4.5 continues 4B Reviews for all Units begin This is a highly compressed course. In order to squeeze all the material into the narrow compass of four tapes we had to leave For the web edition the audio has been converted to mp3 format. out much of the review and repetition that a longer course Neither the text nor the audio files have been changed to reflect would have given you. This means that you yourself have to the transfer from tape to mp3. So when you read or hear a provide the repetition you need to fix the new material in your reference to a particular tape, please understand it as referring to memory. Hence the importance of the two steps above. the corresponding track on the mp3 files. The new format makes it easier to find your place on the audio as each Lesson and each Section has its own track: Track 1 Lesson 1.1 Track 5 Lesson 1.2 Track 2 Lesson 1.1 pronunciation Track 6 Lesson 1.2 pronunciation Track 3 Lesson 1.1 numbers Track 7 Lesson 1.2 numbers EF Track 4 Lesson 1.1 numbers pron Track 8 Lesson 1.2 numbers pron etc Burmese By Ear 5

ABOUT THIS COURSE

BBE is a systematically graded foundation course in modern colloquial Burmese. It aims to give you a confident and enjoyable start in speaking Burmese, focussing on what you are most likely to need when you visit Burma: “survival language” for cafés, taxis, shops, and so on, and “social language” for getting to know people and making friends. You will find that Burmese is a much easier language to learn than many people think.

BBE has several advantages over the conventional trav- eller’s phrase book. First, it begins by giving you a grounding in the rudiments of Burmese grammar, concentrating exclusively on the high-frequency elements you need for survival and social purposes. So instead of having to parrot-learn lengthy and un- memorable phrases, you learn how to make up your own sentences and say what you want to say.

Secondly, you take a speaking part in the exercises and dialogues in BBE, so you have active practice in talking, and what you learn takes root.

Thirdly, because you take in the whole course through your ear you achieve an accurate pronunciation effortlessly from the start — instead of having to try and make sense of baffling romanized spellings and inadequate written descriptions of sounds.

Fourthly, you can listen to the tapes when your eyes and hands are occupied, so instead of having to find time in the day to sit down and study, you can learn Burmese while you’re walking or washing or travelling or driving.

Course structure

The course is divided into four “Parts”. Before you can feel at all confident with a new language you need to get to know the 6 Burmese By Ear Burmese By Ear 7 common sentence types — how to make statements, how to ask In some of the practice dialogues you will find — as you questions, and so on — so Part 1 of BBE concentrates on just that. will in real life — that the Burmese speaker says something you You can get by in Burmese with surprisingly few sentence types, can’t follow. These passages are put in deliberately. They are so the focus of the lessons soon changes from sentence types to there to acclimatise you to the experience (so you won’t panic situations: talking to waiters, talking to shopkeepers, and so on. when it happens for real) and to give you practice in making appropriate responses: “Could you say that again?”, “I’m sorry: I Also built into Part 1 are lessons on the Burmese number don’t understand”, and so on. system and counting, and separate sections on pronunciation. Many of the sounds of Burmese are the same as the sounds of What’s in the book English, so if you’re a speaker of English it won’t be hard to get those sounds right. However, there are other sounds in Burmese All the explanations and practice of the course are on the that English speakers often get wrong, and if you do, the results tapes. The book is an unnecessary extra. It provides — can be quite serious: you can find you’ve said something quite different from what you meant to say — sometimes disastrously 1. a summary, for each lesson, of the new structures and words different. The separate sections for pronunciation training are you have learned from the tapes, helpful if you want a quick there to ensure that you don’t fall into that trap. overview of what you learned last time, or a reminder of some words or structures you’ve forgotten Part 2 is about “first needs”: the kinds of things you’re 2. a written reminder of the orally presented material, helpful for likely to want to say and understand soon after you arrive in those who can memorise language more easily if they see it Burma — talking to waiters and shopkeepers, asking the way written down — but don’t let the romanization mislead you and so on; and Part 3 is about meeting people socially: introduc- into producing strange pronunciations ing yourself, making friends, and finding out about each other. 3. notes and explanations that are too detailed for the tape 4. in the appendices, for reference purposes, a brief outline of Part 4 is the Review Section. Most of the course is made up Burmese grammar, of the pronunciation, of the script, and the of short “lessons”: each one introduces you to two or three new number system; and a vocabulary. words or phrases or structures, and gives you some practice with them. Every now and again the tape will advise you to listen to In the book, Burmese words and phrases are written both the relevant Review. The Review runs through all the language in Burmese script and in a romanization. There is no widely you’ve learned in the last few lessons, giving you an overview of accepted system for romanizing Burmese. Some methods fail to what you’ve covered, and reminding you of any words and make all the distinctions you need to make in pronunciation, and structures that may be slipping from your memory. other methods are awkward to read, so no one system has yet been devised that satisfies everyone. The system used in the Another way you may find the Review Section helpful is book is just one among many. Rather than relying on a roman- when some weeks or months have passed since you worked ization it is better to learn words by ear, or to learn to read the through the lessons, and you just want to brush up what you script. learned. The Review Section lets you have some practice without having to listen to the explanations in the lessons all over again. 8 Burmese By Ear Burmese By Ear 9

ABOUT BURMESE Not everyone accepts the change of name. International organizations like the UN have naturally acted on notification Burmese and Myanmar from the government; and the international business community, who need to avoid governmental displeasure, have adopted the The indigenous population of Burma is made up of several new name without reservation. Foreigners and Burmese expa- different ethnic and linguistic groups. Just as the United King- triates who oppose the miltary government, and contest its right dom has its Scots and Welsh and English inhabitants, so does to rule, deliberately persist in using the old names Burmese and Burma have Karens, Shan, Kayah, Mon, Kachin, and others. The Burma as a symbol of their opposition and defiance. A third largest of these groups is the Burmese, who account for nearly group, which includes the author of this course, continue to use 70% of the total population. the old names on the grounds that those are the names their audience is familiar with, whereas there are still many people The Burmese name for themselves and their language has who don’t yet know the new name Myanmar. two forms: you use Myanmar in formal contexts (e.g. in book titles or the names of university departments), and Bamar in Speakers of Burmese informal conversation. The name of the country in other languages — English, French, German, Thai, Japanese — is based The population of Burma is estimated at around 45 million. on the informal version. The difference between the two forms is Of these, around 70% are mother tongue speakers of Burmese, rather like the way speakers of English talk informally about and most members of the ethnic minorities learn Burmese at going to “Holland” but address letters to “The Netherlands”. school or in the course of trading and travelling. Outside Burma there are groups of speakers in Thailand and Bangladesh, many In 1989 the government announced that they wanted of them refugees fleeing persecution. There are also quite large foreigners to stop using the words “Burma” and “Burmese”. expatriate groups in Australia (particularly Perth), the US, the Instead they wanted the world to use “Myanmar” for the coun- UK, and Japan. try and its indigenous people, and “Bamar” for the majority ethnic and linguistic group. So members of the ethnic minorities You will find many people in Burma who can speak — Karen, for example — would be Myanmar by nationality and English well, and others who remember a bit from schooldays. Karen by race; while the majority group would also be Myanmar All staff in immigration, customs, tourist shops and most hotels by nationality, but their race would be Bamar. Previously, the are English speakers. However, it is useful to learn to speak at same distinction was made by using “Burmese” for the national- least a little Burmese for two reasons. One is that you will find ity and “Burman” for the race. that English speakers are less common once you are off the beaten track. The other reason is that a foreign speaker of The language you learn from this course is the language of Burmese is still a rarity, and it gives genuine pleasure to many the “Bamar”, but as it is recognized as the national language of Burmese to find that you have taken the trouble to try and learn the country and is used as a lingua franca by the Karen and Shan the language. And you will receive a warmer reception as a and other ethnic groups, the government refers to it as result. “Myanmar”. 10 Burmese By Ear Burmese By Ear 11

The Burmese language includes a three-way contrast (voiced, voiceless and aspirate, e.g. g-k-kh) at five points of articulation, it has six pairs of plain and Precise relationships among many of the languages related breathed continuants (e.g. l-hl), and distinguishes four types of to Burmese are not yet fully worked out, but the following family syllable by means of a combination of pitch and voice quality tree will give an idea of current thinking among specialists. (high vs low, creaky vs plain). Notable features of Burmese syntax are that the verb is always final in the sentence, that all Sino-Tibetan subordinate clauses precede the main clause, that relative clauses precede their head noun, that markers corresponding to English prepositions follow the noun, and that the counting system uses Sinitic Tibeto-Burman classifiers.

The two styles of Burmese Bodic Baric Burmic Kareni c When Burmese speakers write a letter to a friend they write just as they speak. However, when they are writing something weighty, like an academic article or an application to a govern- varieties Tibetan Kuki-Chin Lolo- other varieties ment department or a notice to display on the wall, they use a of Kanauri Naga Burmese langs of Karen markedly different style. The normal conversational style is Chinese Gurung, Meithei (E Burma, usually called the “colloquial” style, and the formal one is called Tamang Jinghpaw etc W the “literary” style. The difference lies almost entirely in the Limbu (Assam, Thailand) grammar words: the words for if, but, when, from, and, and so on. (N India, Manipur, N You use one set of grammar words in the colloquial style and a Nepal, Burma, different set for the literary style. For example: Himalayas) Yunnan) The Burmese for: from because but plural

In colloquial style: ga´ lo´ da´wdwe In literary style: hma´ ywe´ mu mya´ Loloish: Burmish: Apart from a few exceptions, all the other words — nouns and Lolo (Yi), Lahu, Lisu Burmese, Maru, verbs and so on — remain the same in both styles. Akha Atsi (Yunnan, N Burma, (Burma, Yunnan) The contrast between the two styles can be seen most Thailand, Vietnam) clearly in fiction. All the narrative in the text is written in literary Eastworld and Southeast Asia style, but the dialogue, when the characters are saying things to Table adapted from data in A guide to the languages of the by Merritt Ruhlen (1987) and The major languages of each other, is all written in the colloquial style. by Bernard Comrie (1990, London, Routledge). What you learn in this course is all in the colloquial style. To study the literary style you need to learn to read the script. The sound system and structure of Burmese and its relatives differ from English and the more familiar European languages in several striking ways. The phonology of Burmese 12 Burmese By Ear Burmese By Ear 13

Burmese script and literature the roman letters, but not many agree on how the sounds of Burmese should be spelled in the alien alphabet. You’ll find the Burmese has its own script. It was adapted for Burmese same sound romanized as Me or May or Mei or Mey or Mae, and around 1100 AD from the script used by the Mon people for their many other sounds have just as many variants. language, and that in turn was derived ultimately from a script devised and used in India between 500 BC and 300 AD. Many of The problem is that Burmese has several sounds for which the languages of India and South East Asia are written in scripts there are no obvious characters in the roman alphabet. The best derived from the same source, so, although at first sight the you can hope for is that any one book should be consistent from characters of Burmese, Thai, Javanese, Khmer and the rest may beginning to end, and that the letters it chooses to represent the not look much like each other, they do share many common sounds of Burmese are not too implausible. Remember that any features. You will find an outline of the Burmese script system romanization system, however carefully designed, can’t avoid in Appendix 2. using some letters that stand for one sound in English and another in Burmese. So you need to make a conscious effort to The earliest texts in Burmese are stone inscriptions record- produce the sound you hear on the tapes, not the sound you ing the foundation of monasteries and pagodas, and donations of think you ought to hear when you read the romanization. land to the Buddhist religion. From around the 1400s and 1500s we have long poems on Buddhist history and teaching, and Body language others in praise of the king and his exploits. There are also early prose texts on law and history. In succeeding centuries there Every culture has its set of conventional signs and gestures were several innovations in literary creation, of which the most that show respect or cause offence. Things to remember in momentous was the introduction of fiction in the early 1900s. Burma: Contemporary Burmese publishing covers much the same range Treat older people and Buddhist monks with respect. Also as any modern culture: newspapers and magazines, novels and Buddha images and other religious objects. short stories (historical, thriller, detective, courtroom, propa- Don’t tower over people senior to yourself: lower your head a gandist, allegorical, romantic, comical, social, psychological, etc), little if you have to pass close in front of them. comic strips, plays, poems, memoirs, travelogues, biographies, Don’t point your feet towards a senior person. autobiographies, essays, educative writing and manuals and Don’t touch people on the head. studies of literature, history, economics, technology, religion, Behave modestly: don’t wear revealing clothing, and avoid medicine, business, etc. There is also an active film and video hugging and kissing in public. industry. All publications in whatever medium are subject to Use both hands to hand something to a person senior to strict state censorship. yourself, and to receive something from them. Take off shoes and socks before entering a house or the Romanizing Burmese grounds of a monastery or pagoda. Keep calm and courteous in all situations. People who can’t read and write Burmese script have to find a way of representing Burmese words and names in other For a full account of what’s polite and what’s offensive in writing systems. Ever since the first days of contact with visitors Burmese society, see Culture shock Burma, by Saw Myat Yin from the West people have attempted to write Burmese words in (details in Appendix 6). 14 Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words 15

SUMMARY AND NOTES phrases like “isn’t it?”, “don’t you?”, “won’t they?”, and so FOR THE LESSONS ON THE TAPES on. -deh is a suffix that has two functions: REMINDER 1. It is used to show you are making a statement, as in:

All the essential information this course contains is on the Pu-deh. It’s hot. tapes, along with all the practice in talking and listening. E´-deh. It’s cold. This booklet only contains summaries, additional notes, and reference lists. On its own it will not help you learn to 2. It is used when you are talking about individual Burmese speak Burmese. words, as in:

Pu-deh. To be hot. PART 1. FIRST WORDS AND SENTENCE TYPES E´-deh. To be cold. For a summary of essential Burmese grammar see Appendix

UNIT 1. STATEMENTS AND QUESTIONS, 3. NUMBERS 1-9999, AND PRICES Adjectives. Although we have to translate pu-deh, e´-deh and the others with the English adjectives: “hot”, “cold”, and so on, in 1.1. IT IS …, ISN’T IT? terms of Burmese grammar they must be classified as verbs: “to be hot”, “to be cold”, etc. New words “It”. Burmese does have words for “it”, but when it’s obvious

pu-deh p¨ty\ to be hot, it is hot what you’re talking about you normally leave them out. So in

e´-deh eA;ty\ to be cold, it is cold the question —

´ kau´n-deh ekac\;ty\ to be good, it is good Kaun-deh-naw? It’s good, isn’t it? ya´-deh rty\ to be all right, it is all right all you are actually saying in Burmese is “Is good, right?”

Sentences Writing and pronouncing Burmese. Burmese is normally written

Pu-deh-naw? p¨ty\ena\" It’s hot, isn’t it? in its own script, which is what you see in the central column

E´-deh-naw? eA;ty\ena\" It’s cold, isn’t it? above. Learners who haven’t yet learned to read Burmese script Kau´n-deh-naw? ekac\;ty\ena\" It’s good, isn’t it? have to use a romanization — a method of representing Burmese Ya´-deh-naw? rty\ena\" It’s all right, isn’t it? sounds in roman letters. That is what you see in the left hand column. As Burmese has some sounds which are not used in Notes English, and a romanization has to try and represent them with Suffixes. Any word which is attached to the end of other words familiar roman letters, not all the letters stand for the sounds you is called a “suffix”. For example, in English -ing is a suffix: may expect. That is one of the reasons why it it is far more you add it to talk to make talking, to fill to make filling and so effective to learn through your ears from the tapes rather than on. Suffixes are very important in Burmese, because they are from the printed page. Guidance on pronunciation is given on the bits that carry almost all the grammar: ideas like “did”, the tape in each of the first eight lessons. Always follow the “don’t”, “will”, “in”, “if” and many others. pronunciation you hear on the tape, and don’t try to read new -naw is a suffix that you add to a statement when you want words aloud from the page. At the end of this booklet you will someone to agree with you. You can think of it as meaning find a description of all the sounds of Burmese, a note of which “right?”, but it’s often more appropriate to translate -naw with

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 16 Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words 17 roman letters we use to represent them, and an outline of the 1.2. YES, IT IS. Burmese writing system. Sentences Pronunciation points S1 stands for “Speaker 1”, and S2 for “Speaker 2”. We use this Pronunciation points that need attention are mentioned convention to show when one sentence is a response to another. on the tape as they occur in the first few Lessons. For an S1 Pu-deh-naw? p¨ty\ena\" It’s hot, isn’t it?

overview of the sounds of Burmese, and the roman S2 H ouq-ke´h. Pu-ba-deh. hut\k´." p¨påty\" Yes, it is. symbols used here to represent them, see Appendix 1. S1 E´-deh-naw? eA;ty\ena\" It’s cold, isn’t it?

S2 H ouq-ke´h. hut\k´." Yes, it is.

Plain P and aspirate P: E´-ba-deh. eA;påty\"

´ ´ pa´n-deh, p’an-deh pn\;ty\' Pm\;ty\" to spurt, to catch S1 Kaun-deh-naw? ekac\;ty\ena\" It’s good, isn’t it?

Plain K and aspirate K: S2 H ouq-ke´h. hut\k´." Yes, it is. koun-bi, k’oun-bi. kun\®p^' Kun\®p^" It’s all gone, It’s Kau´n-ba-deh. ekac\;påty\" started jumping. S1 Ya´-deh-naw? rty\ena\" It’s all right, isn’t it?

High tone and low tone: S2 H ouq-ke´h. Ya´-ba-deh. hut\k´." rpåty\" Yes, it is. pu-deh, pu´-deh p¨ty\' p¨;ty\ to be hot, to be stuck together Notes H ouq-ke´h. Literally “It is so.” Used like “Yes” in English to show

Numbers you agree with what someone has said. Also to show you are

´ tiq— hniq—thou´n—le ts\_N˙s\_quM;_el; 1—2—3—4 following what they say — you hear it a lot when someone is For figures in Burmese script see Appendix 2 (outline of Burmese listening to a caller on the phone. script). -ba (in pu-ba-deh etc) is a suffix people add in to show they are being polite. So both Pu-ba-deh and Pu-deh mean “It’s hot”, Pronunciation points but the first is a little more polite and courteous, the second a

Plain T and aspirate T: little more casual, even brusque. For practice on the tape we

tau´n-deh, etac\;ty\' to ask, use the politer option […]-ba-deh throughout. Note that -ba is t’au´n-deh eTac\;ty\ to thump not needed in questions: it is perfectly polite to ask Pu-deh- Plain N and breathed N: naw? (rather than Pu-ba-deh-naw?) na, hna na' N˙a sore, nose niq, hniq ns\' N˙s\ sink, two Pronunciation point

Glottal stop: Vowels e and eh:

´ tiq, hniq, c’auq ts\' N˙s\' e®Kak\ one, two, six le´-deh, leh-deh el;ty\' l´ty\ to be heavy, to fall over For a summary of the Burmese number system see Appendix 4. we-deh, weh-deh ewty\' wy\ty\ to share out, to buy

Numbers

´ le´—nga el;_cå; 4—5 c’auq—k’un-hniq e®Kak\_KuN˙s\ 6—7

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 18 Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words 19

Pronunciation point Numbers

Consonant ng-: k’un-hniq—shiq KuN˙s\_r˙s\ 7—8

´ nga´ cå; five ko—ta˘ s’eh kui;_ts\Sy\ 9—10

1.3. NEW WORDS Pronunciation point a´-deh Aa;ty\ to be free Vowels o and aw: hla´-deh l˙ty\ to be pretty o-deh, aw-deh Auity\' eAa\ty\ to be old, to shout saq-teh sp\ty\ to be hot (to taste) caiq-teh ’kik\ty\ to like 1.4. NO, IT ISN’T.

Notes Sentences

-teh. After a word ending in -q the suffix -deh (see 1.1) is pro- S1 Caiq-teh-naw? ’kik\ty\ena\" You like it, don’t you? nounced -teh, as in saq-teh and caiq-teh above. In the same S2 Ma˘ caiq-pa-bu´. m’kik\påB¨;" No, I don’t.

way after a word ending in -q the suffix -ba (see 1.2) is S1 Ya´-deh-naw? rty\ena\" It’s all right, isn’t it? pronounced -pa; example: S2 Ma˘ ya´-ba-bu´. mrpåB¨;" No, it isn’t. S2 Saq-pa-deh. sp\påty\" It is hot to taste

(not Saq-ba-deh.) Notes These two changes are examples of the “Voicing Rule”. For Ma˘ […]-ba-bu´. “It isn’t […]” or “I don’t […]” etc. Ma˘ - is the more, see Appendix 1. When we need to refer to these two “negative prefix”: it is attached to the beginning of a word, suffixes again, we give both the normal and the voiced forms: and conveys the meaning “not”; and when you’re making a

-pa/-ba, -teh/-deh. negative statement, instead of using the suffix -teh/-deh , you

“You” and “I”. Burmese does have words for “you” and “I”, as use the suffix -p’u´/-bu. it does for “it”, but most of the time it’s quite clear from the -ba (in Ma˘ pu-ba-bu´ etc) is the same polite suffix as the -pa/-ba in

situation who or what you are talking about, so people simply Pu-ba-deh etc. It is a signal that you are being polite. So you

´ leave out those words. So, for example, in this exchange: will hear people saying both Ma˘ pu-ba-bu´ and Ma˘ pu-bu. Both S1 Caiq-teh-naw? You like it, don’t you? mean the same thing, but the first is more polite than the S2 H ouq-ke´h. Caiq-pa-deh. Yes, I do. second. all you are in fact saying in Burmese is — “No”. Burmese doesn’t use a word that corresponds directly to S1 Caiq-teh-naw? Like, right? “No”. When you’re asked if you like something and you S2 H ouq-ke´h. Caiq-pa-deh. True. Like. want to answer “No”, you just say “Not like”.

Pronunciation points Pronunciation point Plain L and breathed L: Plain C and aspirate C: laun-deh, elac\ty\' to burn, ceq-teh, c’eq-teh k¥k\ty\' K¥k\ty\ to learn by heart, to cook hlaun-deh el˙ac\ty\ to store away

Plain high tone and creaky high tone: Numbers ya´-deh, ya´-deh rty\' ya;ty\ to be all right, to itch thoun-nya´ quv 0

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

20 Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words 21

´ ´

S1 Teh-li-p’ou´n nan-baq ty\l^Pun\; nMpåt\ What’s your Na ma˘ leh-ba-bu. na;mlv\påB¨;" I don’t understand.

´ ´ ´

beh-lauq-leh? By\elak\l´" telephone Ze ma˘ cı-ba-bu´´ . eZ;mÂk^;påB¨;" It isn’t expensive.

´ ´ ´ ´

number? You don’t say Ma˘ na-leh-ba-bu or Ma˘ ze-cı-ba-bu´´ .

´ ´ S2 Le´-le-k’un-k’un-thoun- el;el;K∑n\K∑n\quM;på" It’s 44773. ba. Numbers

ta˘ s’eh—hna˘ s’eh ts\Sy\_N˙s\Sy\ 10–20–30

Teh-li-p’oun nan-baq “telephone number”. Examples of English thou´n-zeh quM;Sy\

´ words that have been adopted into Burmese. Some speakers le´-zeh—nga-zeh el;Sy\_cå;Sy\ 40–50–60 pronounce English loanwords with a good English accent c’auq-s’eh e®Kak\Sy\

(usually British English), and others pronounce them with a k’un-na˘ s’eh—shiq-s’eh KuN˙s\Sy\_r˙s\Sy\ 70–80–90

strong Burmese accent. ko´-zeh kui;Sy\ Beh-lauq-le´h “what is?” Literally “how much?” ta˘ ya ts\ra 100 K’un. A short form of k’un-hniq KuN˙s\ often used in saying phone

numbers. -s’eh/-zeh “ten”. In compound numbers (e.g. ta˘ s’eh–hna˘ s’eh–

´ Thoun-nya´ “zero”. Take care not to confuse this word with thou´n thoun-zeh) -s’eh is voiced to -zeh except after a syllable ending

“three”: apart from the second syllable nya´, a major difference in -q or in -a˘ . Changing the pronunciation from s’ to z is is that “three” has a high tone (thou´n) where “zero” has a low known as “voicing”. For more see “Voicing Rule” in tone (thoun). Appendix 1. -ba (or -pa after a word ending in -q). A suffix added to a tiq/ta˘ - “one”. When the numbers tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq are sentence to show you are being polite, like the -pa/-ba in Pu- combined with s’eh, they are shortened, so instead of tiq-s’eh, ba-deh etc. hniq-s’eh, k’un-hniq-s’eh you hear: ta˘ s’eh, hna˘ s’eh, k’un-na˘ s’eh. We call this change from tiq to ta˘ etc “weakening”. It takes Pronunciation points place when tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq are combined with any other Consonant ny-: word: ta˘ s’eh “one ten”, hna˘ ya “two hundreds”, k’un-na˘ t’aun thoun-nya´ quv zero “seven thousands”, ta˘ k’weq “one cup”, and so on.

Final nasal -n:

´ thou´n, teh-li-p’oun quM;' ty\l^Pun\; three, telephone Pronunciation point

Plain S and aspirate S:

1.5. NEW WORDS sa´n-deh, sm\;ty\' to try out,

s’a´n-deh Sn\;ty\ to be strange

na´*leh-deh na;lv\ty\ to understand

Literally “ear (na´) goes round” 1.6. VERY, A LITTLE, NOT VERY

ze*cı-deh´ eZ;Âk^;ty\ to be expensive

Literally “price (ze´) is great”. theiq qip\ very

´ ne´h-neh n´n´ (or nv\;nv\;) a little Notes

*. We use the * to remind you that the negative prefix goes Example sentences before the second element, not before the first: Theiq e´-ba-deh. qip\ eA;påty\" It’s very cold.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 22 Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words 23

Theiq caiq-pa-deh. qip\ ’kik\påty\" I like it very much. s’e´h-tiq, Sy\.ts\'

´ Ne´h-neh saq-pa- n´n´ sp\påty\" It’s a bit hot to taste. s’e´h-hniq, etc Sy\.N˙s\' sqv\

deh.

´ ´ ´

Neh-neh ze*cı-ba-´´ n´n´ eZ;Âk^;påty\" It’s a bit expensive. Variant.

deh. In place of c’auq-s’e´ h-le´ etc you may sometimes hear c’auq-s’eh-

Theiq ma˘ pu-ba-bu´. qip\ mp¨påB¨;" It’s not very hot. ne´h le, literally “sixty and four”. More examples:

´ ´

Theiq na´ ma˘ leh-ba- qip\ na;mlv\påB¨;" I don’t understand nga-ze´h-ko cå;Sy\.kui; 59

´ ´

bu´. very much. or nga-zeh-ne´h ko or cå;Sy\n´≥ kui;

thou´n-ze´h-c’auq quM;Sy\.e®Kak\ 36 Notes or thou´n-zeh-ne´h c’auq or quM;Sy\n´≥ e®Kak\ Theiq used with a negated verb means “It is so, but not

extremely”; example: 1.7. NEW WORDS

Theiq ma˘ pu-ba-bu´ = “It’s not very hot”, in the sense of: “It is hot, but not extremely hot”. ze´*c’o-deh eZ;K¥oity\ to be cheap

Word order. Notice that theiq and caiq-pa-deh come in that order: Literally “the price is sweet”

“very much I like” — the opposite order from English. The ne*kau´n-deh enekac\;ty\ to be well rule is that in Burmese all verbs come at the end of the Literally “status is good”. Ne*kau´n-deh-naw “You’re well, sentence. aren’t you?” is a common greeting, like “How are you?” a˘ s’in*pye-deh ASc\e®pty\ to work out well Pronunciation point Used in connection with, for example, whether your accom-

Consonant t- and consonant th-: modation is satisfactory, or whether you are comfortable in

´ tou´n-deh, thoun-deh tuM;ty\' quM;ty\ to be stupid, to use the back seat, etc.

Numbers Numbers

Numbers between the round tens are made in the same way as ta˘ ya—hna˘ ya—thou´n-ya ts\ra_N˙s\ra_quM;ra 100–200–300

in English; examples: le´-ya—nga-ya—c’auq-ya el;ra_cå;ra_e®Kak\ra 400–500–600

c’auq-s’e´h-le´ e®Kak\Sy\.el; 64 k’un-na˘ ya—shiq-ya—ko-ya KuN˙s\ra_r˙s\ra_kui;ra 700–800–900

´ nga´-ze´h-ko cå;Sy\.kui; 59 ta˘ t’aun ts\eTac\ 1000 etc Weakening. The numbers tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq weaken before ya Notice that the syllable s’eh (or zeh) “ten” is normally changed to “a hundred”, in the same way as they do before s’eh/zeh “ten” s’e´ h (or ze´ h) (low tone is changed to creaky tone) when (Lesson 1.5). followed by another number. The numbers 11 to 19 inclusive often lose the first syllable. In 1.8. IS IT? DO YOU? place of —

ta˘ s’e´h-tiq, ts\Sy\.ts\' 11, Example sentences

´ ta˘ s’e´h-hniq, etc ts\Sy\.N˙s\' sqv\ 12, etc S1 Na´ leh-dha˘ la? na;lv\qla;" Do you understand? you often hear —

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 24 Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words 25

S2 H ouq-ke´h. hut\k´." Yes, I do. Notice that the syllable ya “hundred” is often changed to ya´ (low

Na´ leh-ba-deh. na;lv\påty\" tone changes to creaky tone) when followed by another number.

´ ´

S1 Saq-tha˘ la´? sp\qla;" Is it hot to taste? You may hear either ta˘ ya ko-ze´ h shiq or ta˘ ya´ ko-ze´ h shiq. The S2 Ma˘ saq-pa-bu´. msp\påB¨;" No, it isn’t. same tone change occurs with s’eh “ten” (Lesson 1.6).

Notes Variant.

´ ´

Voicing. The suffix -tha˘ la´ is voiced to -dha˘ la except after a sylla- In place of ta˘ ya´ ko-ze´h shiq etc you may sometimes hear ta˘ ya-ne´h ble ending in -q. See “Voicing Rule” in Appendix 1. ko´-ze´ h shiq, literally “a hundred and ninety eight”. More

Questions ending in -naw encourage S2 to answer Yes, whereas examples:

´ ´

questions ending in -tha˘ la´/- d h a˘ la don’t attempt to push S2 in hna˘ ya´ c’auq-s’e´h nga N˙s\ra.e®Kak\Sy\.cå; 265 either direction. Compare these two examples: or hna˘ ya-ne´h c’auq-s’e´h nga´ or N˙s\ran´≥ e®Kak\Sy\.cå;

KuN˙s\ra.N˙s\Sy\ Caiq-tha˘ la´? ’kik\qla;" Do you like it? k’un-na˘ ya´-hna˘ s’eh 720 Caiq-teh-naw? ’kik\ty\ena\" You do like it, don’t you? or k’un-na˘ ya-ne´h hna˘ s’eh or KuN˙s\ran´≥ N˙s\Sy\

There is a similar variant for numbers in tens and units (Lesson Earlier you learned Ne-kau´n-deh-naw? “You’re well, aren’t you?” 1.6). as a form of greeting. The question also occurs in three other

versions. Here are all four: 1.9. THIS AND THAT 1 Ne-kau´n-deh- enekac\;ty\ena\" You are well, aren't

new? you? da då this (nearer me)

´ A´då ´

2 Ne-kau´n-dha˘ la? enekac\;qla;" Are you well? eh-da that (nearer you)

3 Ne-kau´n-la? enekac\;la;" Are you well?

4 Ne-kau´n-ye´h-la? enekac\;r´.la;" Are you well? Example sentences

Da saq-tha˘ la´? då sp\qla;" Is this hot to taste?

As greetings formulae, all four are used interchangeably. The Da e´-dha˘ la? då eA;qla;" Is this cold?

´ ´ ´

second form in this list uses the regular question ending you Eh-da ze cı-dha´´ ˘ la? A´då eZ;*Âk^;qla;" Is that expensive? have just learned. The third is a reduced version of that. And E´h-da caiq-pa-deh. A´då ’kik\påty\" I like that one. the fourth uses the suffix -ye´ h in place of the suffix -dha˘ -: see the

verb suffixes section in Appendix 3 (outline grammar). Notes

In all four cases the answer is the same: Word order. Notice that in sentences like E´h-da caiq-pa-deh Ne-kau´n-ba-deh. enekac\;påty\" I’m fine. Burmese word order is the opposite of English. In English you say “I like that one”, but in Burmese you say “That one I Numbers like”. The rule is that in Burmese all verbs come at the end of Numbers between the round hundreds are made in the same the sentence. We noticed the same rule with theiq in Lesson

way as in English; examples: 1.6.

ta˘ ya´ ko´-ze´h shiq ts\ra.kui;Sy\.r˙s\ 198 This and that. There is no clear-cut boundary between da and

hna˘ ya´ c’auq-s’e´h nga´ N˙s\ra.e®Kak\Sy\.cå; 265 e h-da: don’t be surprised if we sometimes translate da as etc “that” and e´h-da as “this”. The boundary is equally vague in

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

26 Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words 27

English: compare (a) “The date: this is what I want to discuss” c’auq-t’aun nga´-ya e®Kak\eTac\ cå;ra 6500

with (b) “The date: that is what I want to discuss”. hna˘ t’au´n ko´-ya nga-ze´h N˙s\eTac\. kui;ra cå;Sy\. cå; 2955

Other words for “this” and “that”: see the Topical Vocabulary for nga´

´ “this, that and what”. ta˘ t’auń hna˘ ya´ thouń-ze´h le ts\eTac\. N˙s\ra. quM;Sy\. el; 1234 Notice that the syllable t’aun “thousand” may be changed to t’auń Numbers (low tone changed to creaky) when followed by another

ts\eTac\_N˙s\eTac\

ta˘ t’aun—hna˘ t’aun 1000–2000 number. You may hear either c’auq-t’aun nga´-ya or c’auq-t’au´n

´ ´ quM;eTac\_el;eTac\

thoun-daun—le-daun 3000–4000 nga´-ya. The same tone change occurs with s’eh “ten” and ya nga´-daun—c’auq-t’aun cå;eTac\_e®Kak\eTac\ 5000–6000 “a hundred” (Lessons 1.6, 1.8).

k’un-na˘ t’aun—shiq-t’aun KuN˙s\eTac\_r˙s\eTac\ 7000–8000 Numbers beginning with one thousand often lose the first

´ ´ kui;eTac\_ts\eqac\;

ko-daun—ta˘ thaun 9000–10000 syllable. In place of ta˘ t’au´n ta˘ ya (1100), ta˘ t’au´n hna˘ ya´ nga´-zeh (1250) etc, you will hear t’au´ n ta˘ ya, t’au´ n hna˘ ya´ nga´-zeh, etc. Weakening. The numbers tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq weaken before t’aun There is a similar variation for numbers beginning with ta˘ s’eh “a thousand” as usual (Lesson 1.5). (Lesson 1.6). Voicing. T’aun “a thousand” is voiced to daun except after a

syllable ending in -q or in -a˘ . It is obeying the same rule as Variant.

s’eh/zeh “ten” (Lesson 1.5). See the examples, and “Voicing In place of c’auq-t’aun nga´-ya etc you may sometimes hear c’auq- Rule” in Appendix 1. t’aun-ne´ h nga´-ya, literally “six thousand and five hundred”.

More examples:

´ ´

1.10. NEW WORDS hna˘ t’au´n ko´-ya nga-ze´h nga N˙s\eTac\. kui;ra cå;Sy\. cå; 2955

´ or hna˘ t’aun-ne´h ko´-ya nga- N˙s\eTac\n´≥ kui;ra cå;Sy\. cå;

luiK¥c\ty\ lo-jin-deh to want (something) ze´h nga´

m˙aty\ ´

hma-deh to order (e.g. a drink in a café) ta˘ t’au´n hna˘ ya´ thou´n-ze´h le ts\eTac\. N˙s\ra. quM;Sy\. el; 1234

a˘ tha´*pa-deh Aqa;påty\ to have meat in (“meat contain”) or ta˘ t’aun-ne´h hna˘ ya´ or ts\eTac\n´≥ N˙s\ra. quM;Sy\.

´ thou´n-ze´h le el; Notes There are similar variants for numbers in tens and units and in lo-jin-deh. Make sure you keep the low tone on lo- good and low. hundreds and units (Lessons 1.6 and 1.8). If you pronounce lo with a high tone, the word sounds like a coarse way of saying you want to have sex. 1.11. WHICH ONE?

Pronunciation point Example sentences Plain M and breathed M: Beh-ha By\ha Which one has meat in?

mt\ty\' ´ maq-teh, to be steep, ˘ ´ ˘ Aqa;*påql´" m˙t\ty\ atha*pa-dhaleh?

hmaq-teh to make a mark Beh-ha saq- By\ha Which one is hot to taste? tha˘ le´h? sp\ql´"

Numbers Beh-ha By\ha Which one is cool?

´ Numbers between the round thousands are made in the same e´-dha˘ leh? eA;ql´" Which ones are way as in English; examples: cooler/the coolest?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 28 Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words 29

Notes REVIEW FOR UNIT 1: FOUNDATIONS, PART 1 Beh-ha: literally “which thing?” “which one?”. Also used where Review exercises are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 English speakers would say “which things?” “which ones?”: Side B. Burmese does have ways of distinguishing singular and plural, but you don’t always have to use them. Phone numbers

Questions that ask Which? What? Why? etc (in this case beh-ha) Tape Learner

´ ´

end in -tha˘ leh (or its voiced version -dha˘ leh). Questions that thou´n-c’auq- 36369 quM;e®Kak\quM;e®Kak\kui; 36369

´ ´ ´ can be answered with a Yes or a No end in -tha˘ la/-dha˘ la. Com- thou´n-c’auq-ko

pare these two: tiq-thoun-nya-tiq- 10104 ts\quvts\quvel; 10104

Beh-ha pu-dha˘ le´h? By\ha p¨ql´" Which one is the hot one? thoun-nya-le

Eh-da pu-dha˘ la´? A´då p¨qla;" Is that one hot? hniq-k’un-hniq- 27558 N˙s\KuN˙s\cå;cå;r˙s\ 27558

´ nga´-nga-shiq

Numbers Tape Learner

S1 Da beh-lauq-le´h? då By\elak\l´" How much is this? What’s your Teh-li-p’oun nan-baq beh- ty\l^Pun\;nMpåt\

S2 Le´-ze´h c’auq-caq-pa. el;Sy\. It’s 46 kyats. phone number? lauq-leh? By\elak\l´"

´ ´

e®Kak\k¥p\på" It’s 33669 Thou´n-thoun-c’auq-c’auq-ko-ba. 33669-på"

caq “kyat”. The unit of Burmese currency. In 2009 the official It’s 11005 Tiq-tiq-thoun-nya´-thoun-nya´-nga´-ba. 11005-på" exchange rate was 6 kyats to US dollar, but on the street you It’s 42278 Le´-hniq-hniq-k’un-niq-shiq-pa. 42278-på" could get around 1000 kyats to the dollar. Update on prices in 2013 Prices in Burmese currency This course was written in 1996. In the intervening years the cost of Tape Learner living in Burma has risen spectacularly. A cup of tea, for example, that 1-k¥p\ cost under 20 kyats in 1996 cost 300 kyats in 2013. A ball point pen ta˘ jaq 1 kyat that cost 8 kyats at the time of writing would cost around 1000 kyats in shiq-s’e´h hna˘ caq 82-k¥p\ 82 kyat

2013. As a general rule, 200 kyats is now the lowest denomination in thou´n-ze´h k’un- 37-k¥p\ 37 kyat use, and the example prices used in BBE should be multiplied by

about 15 to reflect 2013 prices. na˘ caq

´ 650/-

Voicing. In compounds the word caq is voiced to jaq except after c’auq-ya nga-zeh 650 kyat

´ ´ 4900-/- -q, or after hna˘ or k’un-na˘ . With ta˘ - however, you say ta˘ jaq. le-dau´n ko-ya 4900 kyat

For more see “Voicing Rule” in Appendix 1. Tape Learner ´ då By\elak\l´" Weakening. The numbers tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq weaken before caq How much is Da beh-lauq-leh? “kyat” as usual (Lesson 1.5). this? It’s 6 kyat. C’auq-caq-pa. 6-k¥p\på"

Round numbers. When a number of kyats ends in a 0, the word 21-k¥p\på"

caq is omitted; examples: It’s 21 kyat. Hna˘ s’e´h ta˘ jaq-pa. ´ 174-k¥p\på"

ta˘ t’aun ts\eTac\ 1000 kyats It’s 174 kyat. Ta˘ ya´ k’un-na˘ s’e´h le- ´ cå;ra jaq-pa.

nga-ya 500 kyats 10-på"

If there’s any ambiguity, people may add a word meaning It’s 10 kyat. Ta˘ s’eh-ba.

´ ´ 530-på"

“money”: ngwe nga´-ya, or a word meaning “Burmese It’s 530 kyat. Nga-ya thoun-zeh-

currency”: Ba˘ ma ngwe nga´-ya. ba. It’s 8900 kyat. Shiq-t’au´n ko´-ya-ba. 8900-på"

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

30 Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words 31 S1 Do you want this one? Da lo-jin-dha˘ la´? då luiK¥c\qla;"

Question and answer S2 Not very much. Theiq ma˘ lo-jin-ba- qip\ mluiK¥c\påB¨;"

Tape Learner bu´. ´ enekac\;ty\ena\"

S1 You’re well, aren’t Ne kaun-deh-naw? S1 Which one do you Beh-ha lo-jin- By\ha

you? want? dha˘ le´h? luiK¥c\ql´"

´ hut\k´.' ´ S2 Yes I am. H ouq-ke´h. Ne kaun- S2 I want that one. Eh-da lo-jin-ba- A´då luiK¥c\påty\" ba-deh. enekac\;påty\" rty\ena\" deh.

S1 This is all right, isn’t Ya´-deh-naw? Which one did you Beh-ha hma- By\ha m˙aql´" it? order? dha˘ le´h?

hut\k´.' rpåty\"

S2 Yes it is. H ouq-ke´h. Ya´-ba- Which one has meat Beh-ha a˘ tha´ pa- By\ha Aqa;

deh. in it? dha˘ le´h? påql´"

´ na;lv\ty\ena\" ´ S1 You understand, Na leh-deh-naw? Does this one have Da a˘ tha´ pa-dha˘ la? då Aqa;

don’t you? meat in it? påqla;"

´ ´ na;mlv\påB¨;" ´ S2 No I don’t. Na ma˘ leh-ba-bu. Is this one free? Da a´-dha˘ la? då Aa;qla;" S1 It’s working out all A˘ s’in pye-deh-naw? ASc\e®pty\ena\"

right, isn’t it? Greetings

´ ASc\ me®ppåB¨;"

S2 No it isn’t. A˘ s’in ma˘ pye-ba-bu. How are you? Ne kau´n-deh-naw? en ekac\;ty\ena\"

Ne kau´n-dha˘ la? en ekac\;qla;"

A lot and a little Ne kau´n-la? en ekac\;la;"

´ Tape Learner Ne kau´n-ye´h-la? en ekac\;r´.la;"

qip\ l˙påty\" It’s very pretty. Theiq hla´-ba-deh. I’m fine. Ne kau´n-ba-deh. en ekac\;påty\"

It’s very hot. Theiq pu-ba-deh. qip\ p¨påty\"

´ ´

It’s a bit cold. Ne´h-neh e-ba-deh. n´n´ eA;påty\"

´ ´ ´ It’s a bit expen- Neh-neh ze cı-ba-deh.´´ n´n´ eZ;Âk^;påty\ UNIT 2.

sive. GOING TO DO, WANT TO DO, PLEASE DO, COUNTING

It’s very cheap. Theiq ze´ c’o-ba-deh. qip\ eZ;K¥oipåty\ It’s not very hot to Theiq ma˘ saq-pa-bu´. qip\ msp\påB¨;" 2.1. EATING AND DRINKING

taste.

´ It’s not very good. Theiq ma˘ kau´n-ba-bu. qip\ mekac\;påB¨;" New words

ba Ba what? This and that sa´-deh sa;ty\ to eat

Tape Learner thauq-teh eqak\ty\ to drink S1 Do you like this one? Da caiq-tha˘ la´? då ’kik\qla;"

S2 Not very much. Theiq ma˘ caiq-pa- qip\ m’kik\påB¨;" Some foods and drinks known in Burma under their foreign bu´. names

S1 Which one do you Beh-ha caiq- By\ha Cocacola, Pepsi, Seven-Up, Fanta, Sparkling, Vimto, limejuice

like? tha˘ le´h? ’kik\ql´" Horlicks, Ovaltine, Milo, cocoa, coffee S2 I like that one. E´h-da caiq-pa-deh. A´då ’kik\påty\" beer, whisky, rum

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 32 Burmese By Ear Unit 2: Eating and drinking 33

sandwich, hamburger, hotdog, biscuit (= US cookie) Word order. As noted earlier (1.9), in Burmese the verb is the last element in the sentence: Kouq thauq-pa-deh “I drank a

Example sentences Coke” is literally “Coke drank”. S1 Peq-si thauq-tha˘ la´? pk\s^ eqak\qla;" Did you drink a

Pepsi? Numbers

S2 Ma˘ thauq-pa-bu´. meqak\påB¨;" No, I didn’t. Prices in dollars. Dollars are counted in much the same way as

S1 Ba thauq-tha˘ le´h? Ba eqak\ql´" What did you kyats; example:

drink? le´-daw-la 4-edÅla $4

S2 Kouq thauq-pa-deh. kut\ eqak\påty\" I drank a Coke. s’e´h-nga´-daw-la 15-edÅla $15

ta˘ ya´ k’un-na˘ s’e´h thou´n-daw-la 173-edÅla $173 S1 H an-ba-ga sa´-deh- hMBagå You do eat ham- There is one important difference. When you were saying round naw? sa;ty\ena\" burgers, don’t numbers of kyats you omitted the word caq, but when you have

you? a round number of dollars you keep the word daw-la but put it in

S2 Ma˘ sa´-ba-bu. msa;påB¨;" No, I don’t. front of the number; examples:

´ ´

S1 Ba sa´-dha˘ leh? Ba sa;ql´" What do you eat? daw-la le-zeh edÅla el;Sy\ $40

´ S2 Ha´w-da´w sa´-ba-deh. eha.edå≥ sa;påty\" I eat hotdogs. daw-la ta˘ ya´ nga-zeh edÅla ts\ra. cå;Sy\ $150 daw-la shiq-t’aun edÅla r˙s\eTac\ $8000 Notes The same principle operates for anything else you can count. We

ba “what?” is derived from beh-ha “which one?” Questions con- call it “the Round Number Rule”. Examples:

taining ba, like questions containing beh-ha, take the suffix s’e´h-ko´-ga-lan Sy\.kui; gåln\ 19 gallons

-tha˘ le´h/-dha˘ leh (see the note in Lesson 1.11). ga-lan hna˘ s’eh gåln\ N˙s\Sy\ 20 gallons

´ ´

Present and past. The suffixes -pa-deh and -pa-bu (or their voiced hna˘ ya´ ko´-ze´h nga-main N˙s\ra. kui;Sy\. cå;muic\ 295 miles

forms -ba-deh and -ba-bu), which mark statements, and the main thou´n-ya muic\ quM;ra 300 miles

suffixes -tha˘ le´h, -tha˘ la, and -teh-naw (or their voiced forms There is one exception to the Round Number Rule. Although the

´ -dha˘ le´h, -dha˘ la, and -deh-naw), which mark questions, can refer number 10 ends in a zero and is mathematically a round number,

either to the present or to the past. So, for example, Peq-si it is treated in speech as an unround number: thauq-tha˘ la´? can mean either “Do you drink Pepsi?” or “Did s’eh daw-la Sy\ edÅla 10 dollars you drink Pepsi?” Which meaning the speaker has in mind is s’eh ga-lan Sy\ gåln\ 10 gallons usually obvious from the context. It is surprising how rarely s’eh main Sy\ muic\ 10 miles there is any ambiguity – and if a sentence is ambiguous, there and so on. are words one can use to make one’s meaning clear.

Singular and plural. Burmese is similarly economical in indicat- When combined with daw-la the numbers tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq

´ ´ ing singular and plural. A sentence like H an-ba-ga sa´-dha˘ la? weaken in the usual way: ta˘ daw-la, le-ze´h-hna˘ daw-la and so on. can mean either “Did you eat a hamburger?” or “Did you eat hamburgers?” Again, there are ways of indicating singular and 2.2. GOING TO DO plural in Burmese, but you don’t always need to use them. To make statements or ask questions about future events, you use a different set of verb suffixes. Essentially all you are doing is replacing -teh/-deh with -meh, but the correspondence is a little

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 34 Burmese By Ear Unit 2: Eating and drinking 35 obscured. Compare the following two sets of sentences. They Numbers

use the verb thauq-teh “to drink”. Counting cans and bottles

lou´n luM; can or bottle

Present/past Peq-si le´-loun pk\s^ el;luM; four bottles of Pepsi

1 Kaw-p’i thauq- eka\P^ eqak\qla;" Did you (do you) bi-ya ta˘ lou´n B^ya ts\luM; a can of beer

tha˘ la´? drink coffee? Variants. You may also hear people count in pa˘ lın “bottles”.

´ 2 Ma˘ thauq-pa-bu´. meqak\påB¨;" No, I didn’t (I Weakening. The numbers tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq weaken before loun

don’t). “can/ bottle” as usual (Lesson 1.5). 3 Ba thauq-tha˘ le´h? Ba eqak\ql´" What did you (do

you) drink? 2.3. WHERE, HERE AND THERE 4 Ko-ko´ thauq-pa-deh. kuikui; eqak\påty\" I drank (I drink) New words cocoa. beh-hma By\m˙a where?

Future di-hma d^m˙a here

´ 1 Kaw-p’i thauq-ma˘ la´? eka\P^ eqak\mla;" Are you going to eh-di-hma A´d^m˙a there

drink coffee? 2 Ma˘ thauq-pa-bu´. meqak\påB¨;" No, I’m not. Example sentences

d^m˙a p¨ty\ena\"

3 Ba thauq-ma˘ le´h? Ba eqak\ml´" What are you Di-hma pu-deh-naw? It’s hot here, isn’t it?

going to drink? Beh-hma e´-dha˘ leh? By\m˙a eA;ql´" Where is it cool?

´ ´ A´d^m˙a eA;påty\" 4 Ko-ko´ thauq-meh. kuikui; eqak\my\" I’m going to drink Eh-di-hma e-ba-deh. It’s cool over there. cocoa. Notes

Note that on line 4 in each set, -teh/-deh corresponds to -meh. 1. The suffix -hma means “in” or “on” or “at”. Notice that di- You can use the polite suffix -pa/-ba with both -teh/-deh and hma and e´h-di-hma come before the verb in Burmese – the -meh: opposite way round from English. thauq-teh = thauq-pa-deh 2. Notice that the beh in beh-hma “where? (in which place?)” is thauq-meh = thauq-pa-meh the same word as the beh in beh-ha “which one?” (Lesson

People tend to use -pa/-ba more often with -teh/-deh than with 1.11).

-meh, which is why we use -pa-deh/-ba-deh here but not -pa- 3. Notice also that di-hma “here” and e´h-di-hma “there” corre- meh/-ba-meh; but in principle you can add or omit -pa/-ba with spond to da “this” and e´h-da “that” (Lesson 1.9).

both -teh/-deh and -meh. 4. Questions containing beh-hma, like questions containing ba

´ ´

´ In questions, before -la´ or -leh (lines 1 and 3), -meh is weakened and beh-ha, take the suffix -tha˘ leh/-dh a˘ leh (see the note in to -ma˘ , reflecting the way in which -teh/-deh is weakened to Lesson 1.11). -tha˘ /- d h a˘ in the same environment. For “weakening” see Lesson 1.5. Numbers Counting by cups and glasses

In the negative there is no change; so “I didn’t drink”, “I don’t K∑k\ drink”, and “I’m not going to drink” are all Ma˘ thauq-pa-bu´. k’weq/gweq cup or glass

kaw-p’i hna˘ k’weq eka\P^ N˙s\K∑k\ two cups of coffee

´ laın-ju´ c’auq-k’weq luic\;Âkø; e®Kak\K∑k\ six glasses of limejuice

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 36 Burmese By Ear Unit 2: Eating and drinking 37

Weakening. The numbers tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq weaken before 2.5. WANTING TO … k’weq as usual (Lesson 1.5). Voicing. K’weq is voiced to gweq except after -a˘ and -q. For more […]-c’in-/ […]- […]-K¥c\- to want to […] see “Voicing Rule” in Appendix 1. jin-

2.4. NEW WORDS Example sentences Di-hma t’ain-ba- d^m˙a Tuic\påty\" We sit here. daq-poun Dåt\puM photograph deh. yaiq-teh Ruik\ty\ to hit, strike, stamp Di-hma t’ain-jin- d^m˙a Tuic\K¥c\påty\" We want to sit here. daq-poun yaiq- Dåt\puM Ruik\ty\ to take a photo- ba-deh.

teh graph Kaw-p’i ma˘ thauq- eka\P^ meqak\påB¨;" I don’t drink coffee. t’ain-deh Tuic\ty\ to sit pa-bu´.

yaq-teh rp\ty\ to stop Kaw-p’i ma˘ thauq- eka\P^ I don’t want to

c’in-ba-bu´. meqak\K¥c\påB¨;" drink coffee.

Example sentences Ba sa´-dha˘ leh? Ba sa;ql´" What does he eat?

´ Di-hma daq-poun d^m˙a Dåt\puM Ruik\my\" I’m going to take a Ba sa´-jin-dha˘ leh? Ba sa;K¥c\ql´" What does he want yaiq-meh photograph here. to eat?

Beh-hma t’ain- By\m˙a Tuic\ml´" Where you going to ma˘ le´h? sit? The suffix -c’in- is voiced to -jin- except after -q. See the examples,

Di-hma yaq- d^m˙a rp\mla;" Are you going to and “Voicing Rule” in Appendix 1. ma˘ la´? stop here? Don’t confuse […]-jin-deh “to want [to do something]” with […] lo-jin-deh “to want [something]” (Lesson 1.10). Numbers

Counting by helpings, platefuls, portions Numbers

´ pwe´h/bweh p∑´ helping or plateful Counting discrete items or portion k’u´/gu´ Ku item, unit, article

p’iq-sh-in-chiq Ps\r˙\Ac\K¥s\ N˙s\p∑´ two platefuls of fish han-ba-ga c’auq-k’u´ hMBagå e®Kak\Ku six hamburgers

´ Sc\;wiK¥\ N˙s\Ku

hna˘ pwe´h and chips s’ın-wı´c’ hna˘ k’u´ two sandwiches

´ hMBagå quM;Ku ´ ´

beiq-bın´ le-bweh Bit\Bc\; el;p∑´ four portions of han-ba-ga thoun-gu´ three hamburgers

´ baked beans s’ın-wı´ ´c’ le-gu´ Sc\;wiK¥\ el;Ku four sandwiches

Weakening. The numbers tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq weaken before

pwe´h as usual (Lesson 1.5). In Burmese, instead of asking for three hamburgers, you ask for:

´ Voicing. pwe´h is voiced to bweh except after -a˘ and -q. For more “hamburger three units”, in just the same way as you ask for see “Voicing Rule” in Appendix 1. “coffee three cups” or “Pepsi five bottles”. Compare the

examples above with –

kaw-p’i thou´n-gweq eka\P^ quM;K∑k\ three cups of coffee

´ Peq-si nga´-loun pk\s^ cå;luM; five bottles/cans of Pepsi

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 38 Burmese By Ear Unit 2: Eating and drinking 39

Counting in round numbers also follows the same pattern

(“dollars five-tens” etc):

daw-la nga´-zeh edÅla cå;Sy\ fifty dollars 2.7. POLITE TAGS: “SIR” AND “MADAM” paun nga´-ya epåc\ cå;ra five hundred pounds K’in-bya Kc\b¥a Sir / Madam (man speaking) Shin r˙c\ Sir / Madam (woman speaking) Voicing. K’u´ is voiced to gu´ except after -a˘ and -q. See the examples, and “Voicing Rule” in Appendix 1. Example sentences Weakening. The numbers tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq weaken before k’u´ Di-hma t’ain-ba. d^m˙a Tuic\på" Please sit here. as usual (Lesson 1.5). Di-hma t’ain-ba d^m˙a Tuic\på (same, with polite tag, man K’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" speaking) 2.6. PLEASE DO … PLEASE DON’T … Di-hma t’ain-ba d^m˙a Tuic\på (same, with polite tag, Shin. r˙c\" woman speaking) Example sentences T’ain-ba. Tuic\på" Please sit down. Burmese polite tags are like “Sir” and “Madam” in English in Ma˘ t’ain-ba-ne´h. mTuic\pån´≥" Please don’t sit that they show politeness and are tagged onto the end of a down. sentence. Di-hma yaq-pa. d^m˙a rp\på" Please stop here. Di-hma ma˘ yaq- d^m˙a mrp\pån´≥" Please don’t stop They are different from “Sir” and “Madam” in two ways: pa-ne´h. here. 1. They are more widely used than in (British) English. For example, people use them to strangers when they are asking Notes the way, and customers use them to shopkeepers.

To make a request or an order, you replace -teh/-deh with -pa/-ba. 2. In English both men and women use “Sir” to a man and

´ To ask someone not to do something, you replace -p’u´/- b u with “Madam” to a woman. In Burmese the gender difference -ne´ h. Notice the small but crucial difference between “Please works the other way round: male speakers use K’in-bya to both don’t […]” and “It doesn’t (or we don’t etc) […]”: men and women, and women speakers use Shin to both men

Di-hma ma˘ yaq-pa-ne´h. d^m˙a mrp\pån´≥" Please don’t stop here. and women. Di-hma ma˘ yaq-pa-bu´. d^m˙a mrp\påB¨;" It doesn’t stop here. 2.8. GREETINGS The -pa/-ba in T’ain-ba and Ma˘ t’ain-ba-ne´h is the same polite suffix you have been using in […]-pa-deh, and if you leave it out you S1 Min-ga˘ la-ba. mgçlapå" Greetings. are still making a request, but without -pa/-ba it sounds S2 Min-ga˘ la-ba. mgçlapå" Greetings. peremptory: T’ain-ba. Tuic\på" Please sit down. Notes T’ain! Tuic\" Sit down! Min-ga˘ la-ba literally means “auspiciousness” or “blessings”. Ma˘ t’ain-ba-ne´h. mTuic\pån´≥" Please don’t sit Unlike the European languages, traditional Burmese greetings down. are based not on the time of day (“Good morning”, “Good Ma˘ t’ain-ne´h! mTuic\n´≥" Don’t sit down! evening” etc), but on the situation (“Where are you going?”,

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 40 Burmese By Ear Unit 2: Eating and drinking 41

“Where have you been?”, “Have you eaten yet?”, “You’re here Counting

very early!” and so on). Min-ga˘ la-ba was deliberately created as Tape Learner

´ an all-purpose greeting for teachers and pupils in schools in the one glass of laın-ju´ ta˘ k’weq luic\;Âkø; 1-K∑k\ 1930s, explicitly matching the English time-of-day greetings. limejuice

2 cups of coffee kaw-p’i hna˘ k’weq eka\P^ 2-K∑k\

Some Burmese speakers, pestered by foreigners for “the Burmese 4 bottles of beer bi-ya le´-loun B^ya 4-luM;

´ ´ for Good morning”, have resorted to offering Min-ga˘ la-ba as a 10 cans of 7-Up S’eh-bın-aq´ s’eh-loun S´bc\;Ap\ 10-

stopgap answer to an unanswerable question, and so the phrase luM;

has begun to spread beyond the schoolroom. You will find it 5 hotdogs ha´w-da´w nga´-gu´ eha.edå. 5-Ku used mostly to foreigners, and occasionally in public announce- 8 sandwiches sın-wı´ ´c’ shiq-k’u´ Sc\;wiK¥\ 8-Ku ments, but very rarely between one Burmese speaker and another – unless they are teacher and pupil. Going to do something Tape Learner REVIEW FOR UNIT 2: FOUNDATIONS, PART 2 I’m going to Kaw-p’i thauq-meh. eka\P^

Review exercises are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 drink coffee. eqak\my\" Side B. What are you going to Ba thauq-ma˘ le´h? Ba eqak\ml´"

drink? Prices in dollars What are you going to Ba hma-ma˘ le´h? Ba m˙aml´"

Tape Learner order?

´ ´

15-edÅla s’e´h nga-daw-la 15 dollars Are you going to S’ın-wı´ ´c’ hma-ma˘ la? Sc\;wiK¥\

973-edÅla ko´-ya k’un-na˘ s’e´h thoun- 973 dollars order a sandwich? m˙amla;"

´ ´ daw-la Are you going to Pu-dın´ sa-ma˘ la? p¨dc\; sa;mla;"

edÅla-2000 daw-la hna˘ t’aun 2000 dollars eat a pudding?

´ ´ edÅla-4860 daw-la le-daun shiq-ya 4860 dollars I’m going to Pu-dın´ sa-meh K’in- p¨dc\; sa;my\ c’auq-s’eh eat a pudding bya. Kc\b¥a" Tape Learner (+ male tag). It’s 1 dollar. Ta˘ daw-la-ba 1-edÅlapå" I’m going to Daq-poun yaiq-meh Dåt\puM Ruik\my\

It’s 68 dollars. C’auq-s’e´h shiq-daw-la-ba 68-edÅlapå" take a photograph Shin. r˙c\"

´ It’s 295 dollars. Hna˘ ya ko´-ze´h nga-daw-la-ba 295-edÅlapå" (+ female tag).

It’s 10 dollars. S’eh-daw-la-ba Sy\edÅla-på"

´ It’s 450 dollars. Daw-la le´-ya´ nga-zeh-ba edÅla-450- Wanting to do something and Here and there på" Tape Learner It’s 7000 dollars. Daw-la k’un-na˘ t’aun-ba edÅla-7000- I want to take a Daq-poun yaiq-c’in- Dåt\puM Ruik\K¥c\påty\" på" photograph. ba-deh. I want to take a Di-hma daq-poun d^m˙a Dåt\puM photograph yaiq-c’in-ba-deh. Ruik\K¥c\påty\" here.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 42 Burmese By Ear Unit 2: Eating and drinking 43

Where do you Beh-hma daq-poun By\m˙a Dåt\puM At this point in the course you have covered all the essential want to take a yaiq-c’in-dha˘ le´h? Ruik\K¥c\ql´" grammar you need for saying and understanding a surprisingly photograph? wide range of Burmese sentences. Accordingly the focus of the

Where do you Beh-hma yaq-c’in- By\m˙a rp\K¥c\ql´" lessons changes from sentence types and grammar to situations want to stop? dha˘ le´h? and topics: cafés, taxis, family and so on. Some additional

Do you want to Di-hma yaq-c’in- d^m˙a rp\K¥c\qla;" grammar points will be introduced where necessary, but from stop here? dha˘ la´? here on what you most need is to expand your vocabulary.

Do you want to Di-hma t’ain-jin- d^m˙a Tuic\K¥c\qla;" sit here? dha˘ la´? UNIT 3. LANGUAGE HELP

I don’t want to Di-hma ma˘ t’ain-jin- d^m˙a mTuic\K¥c\påB¨; sit here (+male ba-bu´ K’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" 3.1. SORRY: I DON’T UNDERSTAND.

tag).

´ ´ ´ na;mlv\påB¨;"

I want to sit Eh-di-hma t’ain-jin- A´d^m˙a Tuic\K¥c\påty\ Na ma˘ leh-ba-bu. I don’t understand.

´ ´ eSar^;ena\" there (+female ba-deh Shin. r˙c\" S’aw-rı-naw? I’m sorry.

tag). Variants

´ ´

S’aw-rı-be´ h-naw? eSar^;p´ena\" I’m sorry.

´ ´ Do and don’t. S’aw-rı-be´ h. eSar^;p´" I’m sorry.

Tape Learner

´ ´ ´

Please sit here. Di-hma t’ain-ba. d^m˙a Tuic\på" The suffix -beh adds a slight emphasis in S’aw-rı-be´ h(-naw?) but Please don’t sit E´h-di-hma ma˘ t’ain- A´d^m˙a mTuic\pån´≥" the meaning remains unchanged.

there. ba-ne´h. Please don’t eat H an-ba-ga ma˘ sa´-ba- hMBagå msa;pån´≥" 3.2. PLEASE SAY THAT AGAIN.

a hamburger. ne´h.

´ ´ Tp\e®papåAuM;"

Please stop here. Di-hma yaq-pa. d^m˙a rp\på" T’aq pyaw-ba-oun. Please say that again. Please don’t stop E´h-di-hma ma˘ yaq- A´d^m˙a mrp\pån´≥"

there. pa-ne´h. New words

´ e®paty\

Please don’t take Daq-poun ma˘ yaiq- Dåt\puM mRuik\pån´≥ r˙c\" pyaw-deh to say ´ Tp\e®paty\

a photograph pa-ne´h Shin. t’aq*pyaw-deh to say again, to repeat

(+female tag). T’aq pya´w-ba. Tp\e®papå" Please say that again.

´ ´ Tp\e®papåAuM;"

I won’t take a Daq-poun ma˘ yaiq- Dåt\puM mRuik\påB¨; T’aq pyaw-ba-oun. Please say that again photograph pa-bu´ K’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" (more friendly).

(+male tag). A common variant is:

´ Pyan pya´w-ba-oun. ®pn\e®papåAuM;" Please say that again. Greetings (schoolroom and foreigners) [greeting] Min-ga˘ la-ba. mgçlapå" 3.3. DID YOU SAY 50?

[response] Min-ga˘ la-ba. mgçlapå" Repeat the unclear word with the question suffix -la´; as in line 3 in this example dialogue:

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

44 Burmese By Ear Unit 3: Language help 45

S1 Da beh-lauq-le´h? då By\elak\l´" How much is this?

´ bmaska;

S2 Nga´-zeh-ba. cå;Sy\på" It’s 50 kyats. Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga Burmese

´ = ®mn\maska; ´

S1 Nga´-zeh-la? cå;Sy\la;" Did you say 50? = Myan-ma sa˘ ga (“Burmese S2 H ouq-ke´h, nga´- hut\k´.' cå;Sy\på" Yes, it’s 50. language”) bma®pv\ zeh-ba. Ba˘ ma pye Burma = Myan-ma pye = ®mn\ma®pv\ (“Burmese coun-

3.4. CAN YOU SPEAK ENGLISH? try”)

Ba˘ ma a˘ myo´- bmaAm¥oi;qm^; Burmese lady,

´ ´ = ®mn\maAm¥oi;qm^;

S1 In-ga˘ leiq sa˘ ga´ Agçlip\ska; Can you speak tha˘ mı = Myan- Burmese woman

´ ´ ´

pya´w-daq-tha˘ la? e®patt\qla;" English? ma a˘ myo-tha˘ mı

´ S2 Ma˘ pya´w-daq-pa-bu. me®patt\påB¨;" No, I can’t.

Variants In 1989 the government decreed that these two forms were to be

In-ga˘ leiq-lo pya´w- Agçlip\lui Can you speak (in) given different meanings. Myan-ma was to be used for referring

daq-tha˘ la´? e®patt\qla;" English? to anything involving the whole country, or all its ethnic groups

Ma˘ taq-pa-bu´. mtt\påB¨;" No, I can’t. (Shan, Karen, Kachin etc), and Ba˘ ma was to be used for the

´ ´ Ma˘ taq-pa-bu´ is a shortened variant for Ma˘ pyaw-daq-pa-bu. Burmese ethnic group only. At the same time it was decreed that English and other languages should mark the distinction by

New words replacing “Burma” with “Myanmar”, and “Burmese” with

pya´w-deh. e®paty\ to say, speak “Myanmar” or “Bamar” as appropriate. Although Burmese is

pya´w-daq-teh. e®patt\ty\ to know how to speak the language of the ethnic “Bamar”, and not the mother tongue

sa˘ ga´ ska; word, words, language of the other races, it is officially called “Myanmar” on the

In-ga˘ leiq sa˘ ga´ Agçlip\ska; English language grounds that it is the national language of “the Union of

I´n-ga˘ leiq-lo Agçlip\lui in English Myanmar”. Some foreign writers have adopted the changes, and

Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´or bmaska; or Burmese language others continue to use the old terms, either to flaunt their opposi- Myan-ma sa˘ ga´ ®mn\maska; tion to the government, or because they believe their readers are Ba˘ ma-lo or Myan- bmalui or ®mn\malui in Burmese not yet familiar with the new names. ma-lo

3.5 AND 3.6. WHAT’S THAT CALLED IN BURMESE? Notes IT’S CALLED “tha˘ yeq-thı”´

“You” and “I”. Burmese leaves out words for “You” and “I”

when it is clear who you are referring to. See the note at S1 E´h-da Ba˘ ma-lo beh- A´då bmalui By\lui What is that called

Lesson 1.3. lo k’aw-dha˘ le´h? eKÅql´" in Burmese?

“Burmese”. The Burmese for “Burmese” has two forms: Ba˘ ma, S2 Tha˘ yeq-thı-lo´ ´ k’aw- qrk\q^;lui≥ It’s called “Tha˘ yeq- which is more colloquial (and the form which gave the world ba-deh. eKÅpåty\" thı”´. the word “Burma”), and Myan-ma, which is more formal. Typically, you find Myan-ma in formal writing and New words announcements, and you use Ba˘ ma in conversation and beh-lo By\lui how (“which way”) personal correspondence. Examples: k’aw-deh eKÅty\ to call, to be called

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

46 Burmese By Ear Unit 3: Language help 47 [name]-lo´ [name]-lui≥ suffix marking end of name or S1 E´h-da Ba˘ ma-lo A´då bmalui By\lui What’s that called in

quotation; like a spoken (”) beh-lo k’aw- eKÅql´" Burmese?

Note dha˘ le´h?

Take care not to confuse the -lo in beh-lo with the -lo´ in [name]-lo´. S2 “Nga˘ pyaw-dhı”-lo´ ´ c˙k\ep¥aq^;lui≥ They’re called

They are entirely unrelated words. k’aw-ba-deh. eKÅpåty\" “nga˘ pyaw-dhı”´

S1 T’aq-pya´w-ba- Tp\e®papåAuM;" Please say that

REVIEW FOR UNIT 3: LANGUAGE HELP ou´n. again.

Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 S2 “Nga˘ pyaw-dhı”-lo´ ´ c˙k\ep¥aq^; eKÅtapå" They’re called

Side B. k’aw-da-ba. “nga˘ pyaw-dhı”´

S1 “Nga˘ pyaw-dhı”-´ c˙k\ep¥aq^;la;" Did you say

´ ´ The review material for this and subsequent Units in the Review la´? “nga˘ pyaw-dhı”? Section takes the form of “review dialogues”. Here in the book- S2 H ouq-pa-deh hut\påty\' Kc\b¥a" That’s right (+ tag).

let the review dialogues are simply written out in playtext K’in-bya.

´ ´

´ format: Speaker 1 …, Speaker 2 … and so on. On the tape the “Nga˘ pyaw-dhı”-´ c˙k\ep¥aq^;påp´" It is “nga˘ pyaw-dhı”.

format is different. There are four phases to each exchange: ba-be´h.

1. The prompt tells you in English what to say. K’in-bya´ Ba˘ ma Kc\b¥a; bmaska; You speak Burmese

2. The tape keeps quiet while you speak in Burmese. sa˘ ga´ pyaw-da e®pata qip\p^tap´" very well.

3, A speaker on the tape repeats your utterance, to confirm or theiq pi-da-be´h.

correct what you said. S1 Na´ ma˘ leh-ba-bu. na;mlv\påB¨;" I don’t understand.

4. You hear a second Burmese speaker responding to what S’aw-rı-naw?´ eSar^;ena\" I’m sorry.

you said. Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ theiq bmaska; qip\ I don’t speak much

For example: ma˘ pya´w-daq- me®patt\påB¨;" Burmese.

1. Prompt: Ask her what this is called. pa-bu´.

2. Learner: Eh-da Ba˘ ma-lo beh-lo k’aw-dha˘ le´h?

3. Tape speaker 1 (repeats): E´h-da Ba˘ ma-lo beh-lo k’aw- UNIT 4. CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS

dha˘ le´h?

´ 4. Tape speaker 2 (responds): “Nga˘ pyaw-dhı”-lo´ ´ k’aw-ba- 4.1. ORDERING FOOD AND DRINK

deh. All the dialogues are set in Burma. Remember that the Burmese S1 Ba hma-ma˘ le´h? Ba m˙aml´" What will you speakers on the tape sometimes use words and phrases you have order?

not yet learned. This is deliberate: the words are there to give S2 Kaw-p’i hna˘ k’weq eka\P^ N˙s\K∑k\ ep;på" We’d like to have

you some practice in coping with the same situation in real life. pe´-ba. two cups of coffee. S1 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Fine. Review Dialogue Scene: At a fruit stall in Burma. S1 is a foreign visitor and S2 is mind- Variants

ing a shop that sells bananas . S1 picks up some bananas and asks – S1 Ba hma-jin- Ba m˙aK¥c\ql´" What wd you like to dha˘ le´h? order?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

48 Burmese By Ear Unit 4: Cafes and restaurants 49

S1 Ba yu-ma˘ le´h? Ba y¨ml´" What will you pauq-si epåk\s^ Chinese dumpling 4

have? ye-ge´h-mouń erK´mun\≥ ice cream S2 Kouq ta˘ louń-ne´h kut\ ts\luM;n´≥ We’d like to have keiq-mouń kit\mun\≥ cake

Sa˘ pa-ka˘ lin spåklc\ ts\luM; one Coke and one

ta˘ lou´n pe-ba. ep;på" Sparkling, please. Notes

1. Ye-nwe´-jan = “plain tea”, literally “plain warm water”. Also

New words called ye-nwe´ (“warm water”), la˘ p’eq-ye-jan (“plain tea”),

´ pe´-deh ep;ty\ to give, bring a˘ can-ye (“plain infusion”). A variety of tea, made weak and yu-deh y¨ty\ to take, choose taken without milk or sugar, cheap and widely available, A-ne´h B A-n´≥ B A and B provided free in cafés. 2. Samusa (or samosa). A patty filled with meat or potato. Notes 3. Parata. An Indian savoury pancake. -ne´h “and” is a suffix: it is attached to the end of the preceding 4. Chinese dumpling. Steamed white dumplings, with a word, and doesn’t stand between the two words like “and”. If savoury filling. “Manapua”. your list consists of more than two items, the suffix -ne´ h normally comes after the second-last item: 4.3. DO YOU HAVE ANY … ?

A, B, C-ne´h D A, B, C-n´≥ D A, B, C and D

´ Kaun-ba-bi “Fine”. In this idiomatic expression the usual suffix S1 Bi-ya shı´-dha˘ la´? B^ya r˙iqla;" Do you have any beer?

-teh/-deh is replaced by -bi/-pi , which slightly changes the S2 Shı´-ba-deh. r˙ipåty\" Yes, we have.

meaning: Beh-hna˘ lou´n yu- By\N˙s\luM; How many cans would

Kau´n-ba-deh. ekac\;påty\ It is good ma˘ leh? y¨ml´" you like? Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^ That’s fine. OK. A variant

Very well then. S1 Sa˘ mu-s’a ya´- sm¨Sa rmla;" Could we have some ma˘ la´? samusa? 4.2. FOOD AND DRINK S2 Ya´-ba-deh. rpåty\" Yes, you can.

Beh-hna˘ k’u´ yu- By\N˙s\Ku y¨ml´" How many would you The list below gives the items practised on the tape. For a fuller ma˘ le´h? like?

list see the Topical Vocabulary for foods and drinks.

t’a˘ mın-jaw´ Tmc\;eÂka\ fried rice If there isn’t any

k’auq-s’we´h-jaw eKåk\S∑´eÂka\ fried noodles S2 Ma˘ shı´-ba-bu. mr˙ipåB¨;" No, we haven’t any.

a˘ seın-jaw´ Asim\;eÂka\ fried vegetables Koun-dhwa-bi. kun\q∑a;®p^" We’ve run out.

´ tauq-tauq-caw etak\etak\eÂka\ fried minced meat S’aw-rı-naw.´ eSar^;ena\" I’m sorry.

lein-maw-ye lim\ema\rv\ orange juice nwa´-no´, no´ N∑a;Nui≥ or just Nui≥ milk New words

la˘ p’eq-ye lk\Pk\rv\ tea shı´-deh r˙ity\ to exist, to be

´ ye-nwe´-jan ereN∑;Âkm\; plain tea 1 [somewhere], to have sa˘ mu-s’a sm¨Sa samusa 2 beh-hna˘ - By\N˙s\- how many [bottles, cans, pa˘ la-ta plata parata 3 cups, etc]

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 50 Burmese By Ear Unit 4: Cafes and restaurants 51

ya´-deh rty\ to get, to obtain 4.5. IS THAT ALL? X ya´-ma˘ la´? X rmla;" Shall we get X? Would

we get X (understand New words

“if we asked you for S1 Da-be´h-la? dåp´la;" Is that all?

it”)? Is X available? or Da-be´h-naw? dåp´ena\" That’s all, is it?

koun-deh or kun\ty\ to run out, be used up, S2 Da-ba-be´h. dåpåp´" Yes, that’s all.

´ r˙ipåeq;ty\" koun-dhwa´-deh kun\q∑a;ty\ sold out or Shı´-ba-dhe-deh. There’s more. There’s something else.

Notes Note

Koun-dhwa´-bi “We’ve run out”. For the verb suffix -bi/-pi see Shı´-ba-deh. “There is something”.

Verb Paradigms in Appendix 3 (outline grammar). Shı´-ba-dhe´-deh. “There is something else”.

´ ´ ´ Koun-deh or koun-dhwa´-deh. The use of -dhwa (“to go”) adds a The suffix -the/-dhe conveys the meaning “additional, more, suggestion of movement: “be used up + go, get used up, run further”. out”. 4.6. WHAT’S THAT or THIS?

4.4. THEN WE’LL HAVE … . Da ba-le´h? då Bal´" What is that?

Dialogue. Café waiter and customer. Sa˘ mu-s’a-ba. sm¨Sapå" It’s a samusa.

´ sm¨Sala;" S1 Ba hma-ma˘ le´h? Ba m˙aml´" What wd you like to Sa˘ mu-s’a-la? A “samusa”? order? H ouq-ke´h. Sa˘ mu-s’a. hut\k´.' sm¨Sa" Yes, a samusa.

S2 Lein-maw-ye shı´- lim\ema\rv\ r˙iqla;" Do you have any

dha˘ la´? orange juice? Notes

S1 Lein-maw-ye lim\ema\rv\ No we haven’t Da ba-le´h? literally “That what-question”. Burmese doesn’t need

ma˘ shı´-da´w-ba- mr˙ieta.påB¨; Kc\b¥a" (polite tag). a word that corresponds to “is” (compare Da beh-lauq-le´h?

bu´, K’in-bya “How much is that?” Lesson 1.11). Koun-dhwa´-bi. kun\q∑a;®p^" It’s run out. -ba. Remember that -pa/-ba is suffixed to an answer to convey P’an-ta-da´w ya´- Pn\taeta. rpåty\" But we have got politeness, and is not part of the name (see also Lesson 1.4 ba-deh. Fanta. numbers: 34119-ba. ). So the name of the object is “sa˘ mu-s’a”,

S1 Di-lo-s’o P’an-ta d^luiSui Pn\taquM;luM; In that case, bring not “sa˘ mu-s’a-ba”.

´ ´ thou´n-loun pe- ep;på" us three cans of ba. Fanta. 4.7. IS THERE A TOILET HERE? S2 Ya´-ba-deh. rpåty\" Certainly.

S1 Di-hma ein-dha d^m˙a Aim\qa r˙ila;" Is there a toilet New words shı´-la´? here? di-lo-s’o or d^luiSui in that case (“this + S2 Shı´-ba-deh. r˙ipåty\" Yes, there is. d^Bk\m˙a" di-lo-s’o-yin d^luiSuirc\ way + say (+ if)”) Di-beq-hma. It’s this way.

or S2 Ma˘ shı´-ba-bu´. mr˙ipåB¨;" No, there isn’t.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

52 Burmese By Ear Unit 4: Cafes and restaurants 53

´ S’aw-rı-naw?´ eSar^;ena\" I’m sorry. REVIEW FOR UNIT 4: CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS

Notes Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4

´ Ein-dha (“house + pleasant”) = toilet. A˘ mya´-dhoun ein-dha Side B. (“many + use + toilet”) = public toilet. Di-beq “this direction”, “this way”. Review Dialogue Scene: A café in Rangoon. S1 is the waiter. S2 is a foreign visitor who 4.8. SETTLING UP has gone in for a cup of tea with a friend.

S1 Beh-hma t’ain-jin- By\m˙a Tuic\K¥c\ql´ Where would you

´ Kc\b¥a" S1 Paiq-s’an shın-meh.´ puik\SM r˙c\;my\" We’ll settle up now. dha˘ leh, K’in- like to sit?

Beh-lauq By\elak\ What does it come to? bya?

´ ´ d^m˙a eA;qla;"

ca´-dha˘ le´h? k¥ql´" S2 Di-hma e-dha˘ la? Is it cool here? ´ hut\k´." eA;påty\" S2 Shiq-caq-pa. 8/-på" Eight kyats. S1 H ouq-ke´h. E-ba- Yes, it is.

deh. T’ain-ba. Tuic\på" Please sit down.

New words S2 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Right. ´ Ba m˙aml´ Kc\b¥a"

paiq-s’an puik\SM money S1 Ba hma-ma˘ leh, What would you shın-deh´ r˙c\;ty\ to clear up, to settle K’in-bya? like to order? lk\Pk\rv\ ts\K∑k\n´≥ beh-lauq By\elak\ how much S2 La˘ p’eq-ye Give us a cup of tea bc\tui ts\K∑k\ ep;på" ca´-deh k¥ty\ to come to, to add up to ta˘ k’weq-ne´h and a glass of

Vin-tota˘ k’weq Vimto. 4.9. PAYING AND LEAVING pe´-ba.

S1 Vin-toma˘ shı´-ba- bc\tui mr˙ipåB¨; Kc\b¥a" We have no Vimto.

´ eSar^;ena\"

S1 Paiq-s’an di-hma. puik\SM d^m˙a" Here’s the money. bu, K’in-bya. I’m sorry.

´ ´ ´

S2 Ce´-zu tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨; tc\påty\" Thank you. S’aw-rı-naw?

´ d^luiSui N∑a;Nui≥ rmla;" ´ ´ or Ce´-zu-beh. ek¥;z¨;p´ Thanks. S2 Di-lo-s’o nwa-no´ In that case, could

S1 Thwa´-meh-naw. q∑a;my\ena\" Goodbye. ya´-ma˘ la? we have some S2 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Goodbye. milk? S1 Ya´-ba-deh. Beh- rpåty\" By\N˙s\K∑k\ Yes. How many

Notes. hna˘ k’weq yu- y¨ml´" glasses would you

´ ´ ´ ´ ´ Ce´-zu-beh “Thanks” is a shade more casual than Ce-zu tin-ba- ma˘ leh? like? S2 Ta˘ k’weq. ts\K∑k\" One glass.

deh. lk\Pk\rv\ ts\K∑k\n´≥ Thwa´-meh-naw literally: “I’m going to go – is that OK?”. There S1 La˘ p’eq-ye One cup of tea and

are many variants, e.g. ta˘ k’weq-ne´h N∑a;Nui≥ ts\K∑k\" one glass of milk. ´ rpåty\" dåp´la;" Pyan-meh-naw. ®pn\my\ena\" I’m going home nwa-no´ ta˘ k’weq. Fine. Is that every-

now – OK? Ya´-ba-deh. Da- thing?

´ ´ ´

Thwa´-ba-oun-meh. q∑a;påAuM;my\" I will go now. beh-la?

´ r˙ipåeq;ty\"

Kau´n-ba-bi = “That’s fine”, “Yes, that’s all right”. The standard S2 Shı´-ba-dhe-deh. No. there’s more.

´ response to a Goodbye phrase. Eh-da ba-le´h? A´då Bal´" What is that?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 54 Burmese By Ear Unit 4: Cafes and restaurants 55

S1 Da-ga´ kaw-bya´n- dåk eka\®pn\≥eÂka\på" Those are spring S1 La˘ p’eq-ye lk\Pk\rv\ ts\K∑k\' One cup of tea, one

jaw-ba. rolls. ta˘ k’weq, nwa´-no´ N∑a;Nui≥ ts\K∑k\n´≥ glass of milk, and S2 Saq-tha˘ la´? sp\qla;" Are they hot (to ta˘ k’weq-ne´h eka\®pn\≥eÂka\ ts\Ku" one spring roll. 32

taste)? kaw-bya´n-jaw 32-k¥p\på" kyats please.

S1 Theiq ma˘ saq-pa- qip\msp\påB¨;" Not very. ta˘ k’u´. Thou´n-

´ ´

bu´. Neh-neh- n´n´p´ sp\påty\" They’re just a little ze´h hna˘ caq-pa˘ .

be´h saq-padeh. hot. S2 Thoun-ze´h 32-k¥p\la;" 32 kyats?

´ ´ S2 A˘ tha´ pa-dha˘ la? Aqa; påqla;" Do they have meat hna˘ caq-la?

in them? S1 H ouq-ke´h-ba. hut\k´.på" That’s right.

S1 Ma˘ pa-ba-bu´, mpåpåB¨; Kc\b¥a" No, they don’t. S2 Paiq-s’an di-hma. puik\SM d^m˙a" Here’s the money.

K’in-bya. Da då qk\qt\l∑t\p´" They are vegetar- S1 Ce´-zu tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\" Thank you.

theq-thaq-luq- ian ones. S2 Thwa´-meh-naw? q∑a;my\ena\" Goodbye.

pe´h. S1 Kaun-ba-bi, K’in- ekac\;på®p^ Kc\b¥a" Goodbye. S2 Di-lo-s’o ta˘ k’u´ pe´- d^luiSui ts\Ku ep;på" In that case, bring bya.

ba. us one.

S1 Ta˘ k’u´-la´? Ya´-ba- ts\Kula;" rpåty\" One. Fine. UNIT 5. TAXIS

deh. Da-be´h- dåp´la;" Is that everything? The words you learn in this Unit can also be used for bicycle

la´? trishaws, and for pony carts in Mandalay and Maymyo and

S2 Da-ba-be´h. dåpåp´" That’s all. other towns. S1 Kau´n-ba-bi, K’in- ekac\;på®p^ Kc\b¥a" Very well. bya. 5.1. WHERE TO?

After S2 and her friend have finished eating and drinking, S2 says:

S2 Di-hma ein-dha d^m˙a Aim\qa r˙iqla;" Is there a toilet S2 Beh thwa´-ma˘ leh? By\ q∑a;ml´" Where are you

shı´-dha˘ la´? here? going to?

S1 Shı´-ba-deh, K’in- r˙ipåty\ Kc\b¥a" Yes, there is. or Beh thwa´-jin- By\ q∑a;K¥c\ql´" Where do you want

bya. Ha´w-di ehad^Bk\m˙a" This way. dha˘ leh? to go to?

beq-hma. Suic\enak\eP;m˙a" At the back of the or Beh-go-le´h? By\kuil´" Where to?

S’ain-nauq-p’e- shop. S2 Sa˘ t’a˘ rın´ Ho-teh sTrc\;huity\ I’m going to the hma. thwa´-meh. q∑a;my\" Strand Hotel.

When S2 returns to the table she says: S1 Ya´-ba-deh. rpåty\" All right.

´ S2 Paiq-s’an shın-´ puik\SM r˙c\;my\" We’ll settle up now. or Kaun-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Fine. meh. By\elak\ k¥ql´" How much does it Teq-pa. tk\på" Get in.

Beh-lauq ca´- come to? or Teq. tk\" Get in (less courte- dha˘ le´h? ous).

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

56 Burmese By Ear Unit 5: Taxis 57

´ ´ New words Nga-daq-cı´P a˘ ya cå;Tp\Âk^;Bura; Ngadatkyi Pagoda

By\ ’ beh where to you´n RuM; office tk\ty\

teq-teh to mount, go up, get Myan-ma T’a˘ reh- Myanmar Travel RuM; Myanmar Travel

into beh You´n office than-you´n qMRuM; embassy (“envoy +

Notes office”)

´ ´

Beh thwa-ma˘ leh? “Where are you going to?” and Sa˘ t’a˘ rın´ Ho-teh Brı´-tı´sh or Byı´-tı´- ®bitiqYqMRuM; British Embassy

thwa-meh “I’m going to the Strand Hotel.” Notice that in sha´ Than-you´n

Burmese you say “Where are you going to go to?” and Sa˘ t’a˘ rın´ A˘ me-rı´-kan Than- Aemrikn\qMRuM; American Embassy

Ho-teh thwa-meh “I’m going to go to the Strand Hotel.” You you´n

´ ´ ´

use thwa-meh not thwa-deh. Aw-sa˘ tre´-lya´ ÂqseÂt;l¥qMRuM; Australian Embassy

´ ´

Sa˘ t’a˘ rın Ho-teh thwa-meh “I’m going to the Strand Hotel.” “The Than-you´n

Strand Hotel” comes before “I’m going to” the opposite order le-yin-you´n elya√\RuM; airline office

to English. See also Lesson 1.9: Eh-da caiq-pa-deh “I like that T’aın´ Le-yin-youn Tuic\;elya√\RuM; Thai Airways office

one”, literally “That one I like”. Bı´-ma´n Le-yin- Bimn\;elya√\RuM; Bangladesh Biman Note also that Burmese does not need to use a word correspond- you´n office

ing to the English “to”. There is a suffix (-go/-ko ) that can be Myan-ma Le-yin- ®mn\maelya√\RuM; Myanmar Airways used to avoid ambiguity, but it is normal to use no suffix at you´n office all.

Notes 5.2. DESTINATIONS Bo-jouq: short for Bo-jouq Aun S’a´n “General Aung San”, the national leader who won independence for Burma from the The list below gives the items presented on the tape. For a fuller British, but was assassinated by a rival in 1947. list see the Topical Vocabulary for sites and places. Ma˘ ha Ban-du´ -la´: a talented general who commanded the king’s

armies in campaigns against the British in 1824-1825.

la´n lm\; road, street A˘ naw-ya˘ t’a: a Burmese king who reigned at Pagan 1044-1077. Bo-jouq La´n buil\K¥op\lm\; Bogyoke Street

Ma˘ ha Ban-du´-la´ mhabNÎollm\; Maha Bandoola 5.3. CHECKING THE FARE

La´n Street

A˘ naw-ya˘ t’a La´n Aena\rTalm\; Anawrahta Street Before getting into the taxi

´ 88 buil\K¥op\lm\; 88 Bo-jouq Lan 88 Bogyoke Street S1 Beh-lauq pe´-ya´- By\elak\ ep;rml´" How much shall I

45 mhabNÎollm\;

45 Ma˘ ha Ban-du´- 47 Maha Bandoola ma˘ le´h? have to pay?

la´ Lan Street S2 Hna˘ ya pe´-ba. 200/- ep;på" Give me 200 kyats.

´ Bura;

p’a˘ ya pagoda S1 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" OK (also used to refer to Buddha images and the Buddha himself) Thwa´-meh. q∑a;my\" Let’s go. (Literally

Shwe-da˘ goun eRWtig uMBura; Shwedagon Pagoda “We’ll go”)

P’a˘ ya´

´ S’u´-le P’a˘ ya S¨;elBura; Sule Pagoda

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 58 Burmese By Ear Unit 5: Taxis 59

At the end of the journey S2 Ya´-ba-deh. rpåty\" All right.

200/-ena\" S1 Hna˘ ya-naw? It was 200 kyats, or Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" OK. wasn’t it? Teq-pa. tk\på" Get in. S2 H ouq-pa-deh. hut\påty\" Yes, that’s right.

New words

New words mya´-deh m¥a;ty\ to be a lot, to be too much ´ ep;rty\ pe-ya´-deh to have to give, to sha´w-deh elYa.ty\ to reduce, to bring down pay

houq-teh hut\ty\" to be right, true Notes

Sha´w-ba-ou´n-la? “Could you bring it down a bit more?” Adding

Notes -ou´n-la to a request has the effect of being more persuasive,

´ ´ pe´-ya´ -deh: pe-deh means “to give” Inserting -ya´ - into pe-deh (or more like coaxing: other verbs) adds the sense of “have to, must”: e.g. Sha´w-ba. “Please reduce it”.

d^m˙a Tuic\ty\" Di-hma t’ain-deh. He sat here. Sha´w-ba-ou´n. “Please reduce it further”.

d^m˙a Tuic\rty\" ´

Di-hma t’ain-ya´-deh. He had to sit here. Sha´w-ba-ou´n-la? “How about reducing it further?”.

´ ˘ ´

Nga´-daw-la pe-meh. cå;edÅla ep;my\" I’ll give them $5. Beh-lauq pe-maleh? “How much will you pay?” Notice the

Nga´-daw-la pe-ya´- cå;edÅla ep;rmy\" I’ll have to give important difference made by adding -ya´ to this question:

´ meh. them $5. Beh-lauq pe´-ya´ -ma˘ leh? “How much will I have to pay? How much should I pay?” Fares. Prices in Burma are subject to serious inflation. The taxi fares used here were normal in 1997 when the course was 5.5. NEGOTIATING THE FARE 2

recorded. By 2008 (the date of some minor revisions) the

´ ´ 140/- ep;my\" lowest fares around town were 2000-3000 kyats. S1 Ta˘ ya´ le-zeh pe- I’ll give you K140.

meh. ´ rmla;"

5.4. NEGOTIATING THE FARE 1 Ya´-ma˘ la? How about that?

S2 Ma˘ ya´-bu´ Bya. mrB¨;b¥a" I can’t do that.

´ n´ty\b¥a" ´ ´ ´ n´n´ m¥a;påty\" or Neh-deh Bya. That’s too little.

S1 Neh-neh mya-ba- That’s a bit too d^elak\

deh. much. or Di-lauq ma˘ sha´w- I can’t drop it that

´ melYa.Nuic\påB¨;" ´ ´ elYa.påAuM;la;" nain-ba-bu. much.

Sha´w-ba-oun-la? Could you bring it By\elak\ elYa.ml´"

down a bit more? S1 Beh-lauq sha´w- How much will you

´ ´ By\elak\ ma˘ leh? take off?

S2 Beh-lauq pe-jin- How much do you 170/- ep;på"

dha˘ le´h? ep;K¥c\ql´" want to pay? S2 Ta˘ ya´ k’un-na˘ s’eh Give me 170.

´ ´ By\elak\ ep;ml´" pe-ba.

or Beh-lauq pe- How much will you 170/- Ta;på"

ma˘ le´h? pay? or Ta˘ ya´ k’un-na˘ s’eh Make it 170.

S1 Ta˘ ya´ nga´-zeh pe- 150/- ep;my\" I’ll pay you 150 t’a-ba.

´ ekac\;på®p^"

meh. kyats S1 Kaun-ba-bi. OK.

´ q∑a;my\" Ya´-ma˘ la´? rmla;" Will you accept Thwa-meh. Let’s go. that?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 60 Burmese By Ear Unit 5: Taxis 61

New words Di-hma yaq-ya´- d^m˙a rp\rmla:" Do we have to stop

b¥a

Bya [short for K’in-bya: see 2.7] ma˘ la´? here? Should we (or ne´h-deh n´ty\ to be a little, too little I) stop here? d^elak\ di-lauq this much, so much Beh-hma yaq- By\m˙a rp\ml´" Where are we going to

elYa.Nuic\ty\

sha´w-nain-deh to be able to reduce ma˘ le´h? stop? ´ Ta;ty\

t’a-deh to put at, to set at, to “make it” Beh-hma yaq-ya´- By\m˙a rp\rml´" Where do we have to ma˘ le´h? stop? Where should

5.6. NEGOTIATING THE FARE 3 we (or I) stop?

´ ´ S1 Ne´h-neh mya-ba- n´n´ m¥a;påty\" That’s a bit steep. Answers

deh. H ouq-ke´h, di-hma hut\k´." d^m˙a Yes, we’ll stop here.

´ ´ elYa.påAuM;la;" Sha´w-ba-oun-la? How about bringing it yaq-meh. rp\my\"

down a bit? H ouq-ke´h, di-hma hut\k´." d^m˙a rp\på" Yes, please stop here.

´ melYa.Nuic\påB¨;"

S2 Ma˘ sha´w-nain-ba-bu. I can’t reduce it. yaq-pa.

´ ´ ´ då An´SuM;p´" or Da a˘ neh-zoun-beh. That’s the lowest price. Di-hma ma˘ yaq- d^m˙a mrp\K¥c\påB¨;" I don’t want to stop

´ eAa\" d^luiSui

S1 Aw. Di-lo-s’o ma˘ sı- Oh. In that case I c’in-ba-bu´. here.

´ ms^;eta.påB¨;" da´w-ba-bu. won’t take your taxi. Lo-ba-dhe´-deh. luipåeq;ty\" There’s still some way

to go.

New words She´-na´-hma yaq- er˙>na;m˙a rp\my\" We’re going to stop

´ ´ An´SuM;

a˘ neh-zoun the lowest, the least meh. just over there. sı-deh´ s^;ty\ to ride, travel in or on New words

Notes lo-deh luity\" to be lacking, to be missing

´ ´ ´ ´ Ma˘ sı-ba-bu = “I won’t ride (in your taxi)”. Ma˘ sı-da´ w-ba-bu = “I she´-na´-hma er˙>na;m˙a just over there (ahead-vicinity-in”) won’t ride (in your taxi) after all” – with the implication that you fully intended to, but his high fare has made you change Notes

your mind. The suffix -ta´w/-da´w with a negated verb conveys The suffix -ya´ - adds the idea of “have to, should, ought to”.

the meaning “no longer, not any more, not after all”. Compare Lesson 5.3 and 5.4: Beh-lauq pe´-ya´ -ma˘ leh “How

´ much shall I have to pay?” as against Beh-lauq pe´-ma˘ leh “How 5.7. WHERE TO STOP much will you give me?”

Lo-ba-deh “something is missing, there is some way to go”. Lo- Questions ba-dhe´-deh “something is still missing, there is still some way

d^m˙a rp\K¥c\qla:"

Di-hma yaq-c’in- Do you want to stop to go”. Compare Lesson 4.5: Shı´-ba-dhe´-deh “There is more to dha˘ la´? here? come”.

Di-hma yaq- d^m˙a rp\mla:" Are we (or you) going ma˘ la´? to stop here? REVIEW FOR UNIT 5: TAXIS, PART 1 (LESSONS 5.1–5.7) Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 Side B.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

62 Burmese By Ear Unit 5: Taxis 63 S2 Ta˘ ya-da´w ne´h- 100/-eta. n´påty\ K100 is too little (+

Review Dialogue 1 ba-deh K’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" tag).

Scene: A street in Rangoon. S1 is a foreign visitor and S2 is a taxi Ta˘ ya´ ta˘ s’eh pe´- 110/- ep;påla;" How about you

driver. The foreigner approaches the driver, who is sitting in his taxi, ba-la´? giving me K110?

and asks – S1 Ta˘ ya´ ta˘ s’eh-la´? 110/-la;" Did you say 110?

´ Aa;qla;"

S1 A-dha˘ la? Are you free? S2 H ouq-ke´h. Ta˘ ya´ hut\k´." 110/-n´≥ That’s right. For ´ hut\k´." Aa;påty\ S2 H ouq-ke´h. A-ba- Yes, I am (+ tag). ta˘ s eh-ne´h laiq- luik\my\" K110 I’ll take you

Kc\b¥a" ’

deh K’in-bya. meh. there.

´ By\q∑a;K¥c\ql´"

Beh thwa-jin- Where do you want S1 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" q∑a;my\" OK. Let’s go.

dha˘ leh? to go? Thwa´-meh.

´ Bimn\;elya√\RuM; ´

S1 Bı´-man le-yin- I want to go to the S2 Eh-di-hma A´d^m˙a mTuic\pån´≥" Don’t sit there,

´ ´ q∑a;K¥c\påty\" youn thwa-jin- Biman airline ma˘ t’ain-ba-ne´h. please.

ba-deh. office. Di-hma t’ain-ba. d^m˙a Tuic\på" Sit here.

´ ´ By\RuM;l´"

S2 Beh youn-leh? Which office? A˘ s’in pye-deh- ASc\e®pty\ena\" That’s all right, I ´ Bimn\;elya√\RuM;på"

S1 Bı´-man le-yin- The Biman Airline naw? hope?

you´n-ba. office. S1 H ouq-ke´h. A˘ s’in hut\k´." Yes, it’s fine.

´ ´ eAa\" Bimn\;la;" S2 Aw. Bı´-man-la? Oh – Biman, is it? pye-ba-deh. ASc\e®ppåty\" Ya´-ba-deh. Teq- rpåty\" tk\på" That’s all right. Get

pa. in. When you get near the Biman office the driver asks –

´ By\elak\ep;rml´"

S1 Beh-lauq pe-ya´- How much shall I S2 Beh-hma yaq- By\m˙a rp\K¥c\ql´" Where do you want

ma˘ leh? have to pay? c’in-dha˘ le´h? d^m˙a rp\rmla;" to stop? Should I

´ ´ Bimn\;kuila;"

S2 Bı´-man-go-la? To Biman? Give me Di-hma yaq-ya´- stop here?

´ hwåelak\ ep;epå≥" Ha˘ wa-lauq pe- umm – K120. ˘ ´

120/-" mala?

ba´w. Ta˘ ya´ S1 Lo-ba-dhe´-deh. luipåeq;ty\" We’re not there yet.

hna˘ s’eh. She´-na´-hma yaq- er˙>na;m˙a rp\my\" We’ll stop just over ´ 120/-la;" S1 Ta˘ ya´ hna˘ s’eh-la? 120 kyats? meh. there.

hut\påty\ Kc\b¥a" S2 H ouq-pa-deh That’s right (+ tag). S2 Di-hma-la´? d^m˙ala;" You mean here?

K’in-bya. S1 H ouq-ke´h. Di- hut\k´." d^m˙a" Yes here.

´ ´ ´ n´n´ m¥a;påty\" S1 Neh-neh mya-ba- That’s a bit too hma.

deh. much. Ta˘ ya´ ta˘ s’eh-naw? 110/-ena\" It was 110 kyats

´ Sha´w-ba-ou´n-la? elYa.påAuM;la;" How about drop- wasn’t it?

ping it? S2 H ouq-pa-deh hut\påty\ Kc\b¥a" That’s right (+ tag).

´ By\elak\

S2 Beh-lauq pe-jin- How much do you K’in-bya.

´ ep;K¥c\ql´"

dha˘ leh? want to pay? S1 Paiq-s’an di-hma. puik\SM d^m˙a" Here’s the money.

´ 100/- ep;my\" ´

S1 Ta˘ ya pe-meh. I’ll give you 100 S2 Ce´-zu tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\" Thank you.

´ rmla;"

Ya´-ma˘ la? kyats. Would you S1 Thwa´-meh-naw? q∑a;my\ena\" Goodbye. accept that? S2 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Goodbye.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

64 Burmese By Ear Unit 5: Taxis 65

Review Dialogue 2 Laiq-po´-pe´-nain- luik\pui≥ep;Nuic\mla;" Would you be able

Scene: a street in Rangoon. S1 is a foreign visitor and S2 is a taxi ma˘ la´? to take us?

driver. The foreigner flags down a taxi and the driver asks – S2 Beh-da´w thwa´- By\eta. q∑a;K¥c\ql´" When do you want

´ By\l´ b¥a"

S2 Beh-leh Bya? Where to (+ tag)? jin-dha˘ le´h? to go?

´ ´ 34 mhabNÎollm\; S1 Thoun-ze´h le I’m going to 34 or Beh a˘ c ein thwa´- By\AK¥in\ q∑a;ml´" What time are you

q∑a;my\" ’

Ma˘ ha Ban-du´-la´ Maha Bandula ma˘ le´h? going to go?

´ La´n thwa-meh. Road.. or Beh-hna˘ na-yi By\N˙s\nar^ q∑a;ml´" What time are you

rty\" tk\" ´

S2 Ya´-deh. Teq. OK. Climb in. thwa´-ma˘ leh? going to go?

´ By\elak\ ep;rml´"

S1 Beh-lauq pe-ya´- How much will I S1 Ne´-leh thwa´-jin- en≥ly\ We want to go at

ma˘ le´h? have to pay? ba-deh. q∑a;K¥c\påty\" midday. ´ 250/- k¥my\"

S2 Hna˘ ya´ nga-zeh It’ll cost you K250. S2 Ya´-ba-deh. Laiq- rpåty\" Yes, I can take you.

ca´-meh. po´-pe´-nain-ba- luik\pui≥ep;Nuic\påty\"

´ ´ 150-la;"

S1 Ta˘ ya´ nga-zeh-la? K150? deh.

´ mhut\B¨;" 250-på" ´

S2 Ma˘ houq-p’u. No, K250. or Ma˘ ya´-bu´. S’aw- mrB¨;" eSar^;ena\" No, I can’t. I’m

Hna˘ ya´ nga-zeh- rı-naw.´ Ma˘ a- mAa;påB¨;" sorry. I’m not free.

ba. ba-bu´.

S1 Hna˘ ya´ nga´-zeh- 250/-la;" K250? la´? New words dåepå≥b¥a" 250/-"

S2 Da-ba´w Bya. That’s right (+ tag). di-ne´ d^en≥ today

Hna˘ ya´ nga´-zeh. K250. ma˘ neq-p’an mnk\Pn\ tomorrow

´ ´ ´ n´n´ m¥a;påty\" S1 Neh-neh mya-ba- That’s a bit too high. beh-da´w By\eta. when? (general use)

elYa.påAuM;la;"

deh. Sha´w-ba- Can you bring it beh-a˘ c’ein By\AK¥in\ at what time? (“which time”)

´ ou´n-la? down? beh-hna˘ na-yi By\N˙s\nar^ at what time?

S2 Ma˘ sha´w-nain-ba- melYa.Nuic\påB¨;" då No I can’t. That’s (“at what hour”)

´ ´ An´SuM;p´"

bu. Da a˘ neh- the lowest I can ma˘ neq mnk\ morning

´ zou´n-beh. go. ne´-leh en≥ly\ midday (“day + middle”)

eAa\" d^luiSui

S1 Aw. Di-lo-s’o In that case I won’t nya´-ne ven afternoon (“evening sun”) ´ ms^;eta.påB¨;"

ma˘ sı-da´w-ba- take the taxi after nya´ v evening, night

bu´. all. laiq-po´-deh luik\pui≥ty\ to take (someone somewhere) S2 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Very well. Notes and variants 5.8 AND 5.9. WE WANT TO GO TOMORROW. di-ne´ “today”: also di-ga˘ ne´ and ga˘ ne´. WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO TAKE US? ma˘ neq-p’an “tomorrow”: also ma˘ neq-p’yan, ma˘ neq-p’yin, neq-p’an, neq-p’yan, and neq-p’yin.

S1 Ma˘ neq-p’an ne´- mnk\Pn\en≥ly\ We want to go to laiq-po´-deh “to take (someone somewhere)”: people often add the

´ ´ cå;Tp\Âk^;Bura; ´ ´

leh Nga-daq-cı the Ngadatkyi suffix -pe´- (from the word pe- “to give”), making laiq-po´ -pe- P’a˘ ya´ thwa-jin- q∑a;K¥c\påty\" Pagoda tomorrow deh, which acknowledges the fact that you are doing your ba-deh. at midday passengers a service, and therefore sounds more polite. In the

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

66 Burmese By Ear Unit 5: Taxis 67

dialogue above the phrase also carries the suffix -nain- “to be S2 Shiq-na-yi-gwe´h- 8-nar^K∑´m˙a lapå" Please come at half

able to”, making laiq-po´ -pe´-nain-deh. For -nain- see also hma la-ba. or 8-nar^K∑´ lapå" past eight.

Lesson 5.5: Di-lauq ma˘ sha´ w-nain-ba-bu´ “I can’t drop it that or Shiq-na-yi- much”. gwe´h la-ba.

S1 Ya´-ba-deh. rpåty\" Fine. 5.10. FIXING A TIME S2 Shiq-na-yi-gwe´h- 8-nar^K∑´m˙a d^m˙a I’ll wait here at half New words hma di-hma esac\.enmy\" past eight. na-yi nar^ hour, clock sau´n-ne-meh.

mins\ mı´-niq minute S1 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Very well.

Examples of times New words

le´-na-yi el;nar^ four o’clock la-deh laty\ to come

ko´-na-yi kui;nar^ nine o’clock sau´n-ne-deh esac\.enty\ to wait

´ ko´-na-yi s’e´h-nga-mı´-niq kui;nar^ Sy\.cå;mins\ 9:15

Notes Notes Beh a˘ c’ein la-ya´ -ma˘ le´h? Another occurrence of the suffix -ya´ -

Note that tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq weaken as usual (see Lesson 1.5, 1.7, “have to, should, ought to”. For earlier examples see Lesson

1.9): 5.3 Beh-lauq pe´-ya´ -ma˘ leh? “How much should I pay?”, and

ta˘ na-yi ts\nar^ one o’clock Lesson 5.7 Beh-hma yaq-ya´-ma˘ le´h? “Where should I stop?”. k’un-na˘ na-yi KuN˙s\nar^ seven o’clock Beh a˘ c’ein la-ya´-ma˘ le´h? There are a couple of common variants And the Round Number Rule is observed (see 2.1): for la- “to come” in this context. You may hear la-ge´ h- “to hna˘ na-yi mı´-niq N˙s\nar^ mins\ N˙s\Sy\ 2:20 come round” or “to come back” or “to come over”; or la-k’aw- hna˘ s’eh “to come and fetch”; e.g.

c’auq-na-yi mı´- e®Kak\nar^ mins\ 6:30 S1 Beh a˘ c’ein la- By\AK¥in\ laK´.rml´" What time should I

´ quM;Sy\

niq thoun-zeh ge´h-ya´-ma˘ le´h? come round? Half past the hour is sometimes shortened. For example, for S2 Shiq-na-yi-gwe´h 8-nar^K∑´ laK´.på" Please come round

“6.30”, in place of the pattern above, you may hear – la-ge´h-ba. at half past eight.

c’auq-na-yi-gwe´h e®Kak\nar^K∑´ 6:30 You may also hear la-ze-jin-deh “to want (someone) to come”,

´ and so on for other times. The suffix -k’we´h/-gwe h means “and and the variants la-ge´h-ze-jin-deh and la-k’aw-ze-jin-deh. a half”. Example: S1 Beh a˘ c’ein la- By\AK¥in\ What time would

5.11. PLEASE COME AT 8:30. ge´h-ze-jin- laK´.esK¥c\ql´" you like me to dha˘ le´h? come round?

By\AK¥in\ larml´"

S1 Beh a˘ c’ein la-ya´- What time should I S2 Shiq-na-yi-gwe´h 8-nar^K∑´ laK´.på" Please come round

ma˘ le´h? come? la-ge´h-ba. at half past eight. Shiq-na-yi-gwe´h-hma: the suffix -hma “at, on, in” is optional with times. For examples of both options see the sentences above.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

68 Burmese By Ear Unit 5: Taxis 69 S3 A´-ba-deh K’in- Aa;påty\ Kc\b¥a" Yes, I will. At what

REVIEW FOR UNIT 5: TAXIS, PART 2 (LESSONS 5.8–5.11) bya. Beh By\AK¥in\l´" time?

Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 a˘ c’ein-le´h?

Side B. S2 Le´-na-yi s’e´h- 4-nar^ 15-mins\" At 4:15.

nga´-mı´-niq.

Review Dialogue S3 Le´-na-yi s’e´h- 4-nar^ 15-mins\la;" 4:15? That’s all

Scene: Mandalay, outside the railway station. A foreign visitor (S2) nga´-mı´-niq-la? rpåty\" right. I’m free. wants to arrange for a pony cart driver (S1) to fetch her the following Ya´-ba-deh. A´- Aa;påty\"

morning. ba-deh.

´ By\ luik\pui≥ep;rml´

S1 Beh laiq-po´-pe- Where can I take Beh thwa´-ma˘ lo´- By\ q∑a;mlui≥l´ Where are you

´ Kc\b¥a"

ya´-ma˘ leh K’in- you (+ tag)? le´h K’in-bya? Kc\b¥a" planning to go?

´ ´ bya? S2 P a˘ ya´-jI thwa- Bura;Âk^; q∑a;my\" We’re going to the

mnk\Pn\ Bura;Âk^; ’

S2 Ma˘ neq-p’an I want to go to the meh. Great Pagoda.

´ ´ ´ q∑a;K¥c\påty\" ´ ´ P’a˘ ya-jı thwa- Great Pagoda S3 Aw. P a˘ ya-jı-la´ ? eAa\' Bura;Âk^;la;" Oh, the Great

luik\pui≥ep;Nuic\mla;" ’

jin-ba-deh. tomorrow. Myeq-hna˘ daw m¥k\N˙aeta\ qs\ta Pagoda, is it? Do

Laiq-po´-pe-nain- Could you take me thiq-ta thwa´-cI´- q∑a;Âkv\.K¥c\ty\la;" you want to go

ma˘ la? there? jin-deh-la´? and watch the

S1 Beh a˘ c’ein thwa´- By\AK¥in\ What time do you ritual face-wash-

jin-dha˘ le´h? q∑a;K¥c\ql´" want to go? ing?

´ mnk\ q∑a;K¥c\påty\" ´

S2 Ma˘ neq thwa-jin- I want to go in the S2 Na´ ma˘ leh-ba-bu. na;mlv\påB¨;" I don’t understand.

ba-deh. morning. S’a´w-rI-naw? eSar^;ena\" I’m sorry.

´ ´ 4-nar^K∑´m˙a"

Le-na-yi-gweh- At 4:30. S3 Keiq-sa´ ma˘ shI´- kisßmr˙ipåB¨;b¥a" Never mind. It’s

hma. ba-bu´ bya. mT¨;l˙påB¨;" nothing important.

´ eAa\' 4-nar^K∑´m˙aeta. ´

S1 Aw. Le-na-yi- I’m not free at 4:30 Ma˘ t’u´-hla´-ba-bu.

´ mAa;påB¨; Kc\b¥a"

gweh-hma-da´w (+ tag). Beh-hma la-k’aw- By\m˙a Where do you want

´ ´

ma˘ a-ba-bu K’in- ze-jin-dha˘ le´h? laeKÅesK¥c\ql´" me to pick you up?

bya. S2 Ma´n-da˘ le H o-teh- mN †el;huity\m˙apå" At the Mandalay

´ q∑a;sra r˙ipåty\"

Thwa-za˘ ya shı´- I have to go some- hma-ba. Hotel.

´ eSar^;ena\" ´

ba-deh. S’aw- where. Sorry. S3 Ma´n-da˘ le H o-teh. mN †el;huity\" The Mandalay

rı-naw? Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Hotel. Fine.

H o-beq hle´h- huiBk\ l˙v\;Sra How about asking The foreigner would normally agree a fare at this point, but to keep the

s’a˘ ya me´-cı´-ba- em;Âkv\.påla;" that driver over scene short we’re omitting that phase. The dialogue resumes with the la´. there? foreign lady confirming tthe arrangement. The foreign lady walks over to a second pony cart and speaks to the driver of that one (S3).

S2 Ma˘ neq-p’an mnk\Pn\mnk\ Will you be free to-

´ ma˘ neq a´-ma˘ la? Aa;mla;" morrow morning?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

70 Burmese By Ear Unit 6: Shops 71

S2 Ma˘ neq-p’yan mnk\®Pn\mnk\ 4-nar^ I’ll wait for you at or Ba weh-jin-lo´-le´h? Ba wy\K¥c\lui≥l´" What would you

ma˘ neq le´-na-yi 15-mins\m˙a the Mandalay like to buy?

s’e´h-nga´-mI´-niq- mN †el;huity\m˙a Hotel tomorrow S2 Po´-sa˘ kaq shı´-la? pui≥skd\ r˙ila;" Do you have any

´ hma Ma´n-da˘ le esac\.enmy\" morning at 4:15. postcards? H o-teh-hma S1 Shı´-ba-deh. Di-hma. r˙ipåty\" d^m˙a" Yes I have. Here.

sau´n-ne-meh. S2 Cı´-meh-naw? Âkv\.my\ena\" Do you mind if I S3 Kau´n-ba-bi K’in- ekac\;på®p^ Kc\b¥a" Goodbye. have a look at bya. them? S1 Cı´-ba. Âkv\.på" No, do. UNIT 6. SHOPS Ya´-ba-deh. rpåty\" That’s all right.

6.1. ASKING THE PRICE AND PAYING UP New words

weh-deh wy\ty\ to buy

Da beh-lauq-le´h? då By\elak\l´" How much is this? a˘ lo *shı´-deh Alui r˙ity\ to need, to want

S2 S’e´h-nga´-jaq-pa. 15/-på" 15 kyats. lo-jin-deh luiK¥c\ty\ to want (something) S1 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" OK cı´-deh Âkv\.ty\ to look at Y u-meh. y¨my\" I’ll take it. shı´-deh r˙ity\ to have, to be (somewhere)

Di-hma. d^m˙a" Here you are. Some imported items in shops are known by their English names

S2 Ce´-zu tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\" Thank you. in Burmese: e.g. film, plaster, postcard, cigarette, sellotape, ball

S1 Thwa´-meh-naw. q∑a;my\ena\" Goodbye. pen, T-shirt, and others. S2 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Goodbye. Notes New words lo-jin-deh: literally: “need+want to”. Clearly the word has yu-deh y¨ty\ to take changed its meaning since this compound was first put together. Don’t confuse – Variants […] lo-jin-deh “to want [something]” with

Da beh-lauq-ne´h då By\elak\n´≥ How much is this? […]-jin-deh “to want [to do something]”: e.g.

´ yau´n-dha˘ leh? erac\;ql´" (“With how much P’a˘ lin lo-jin-ba-deh. Plc\ luiK¥c\påty\" I want a film.

do you sell this?”) T’ain-jin-ba-deh. Tuic\K¥c\påty\" I want to sit down.

Da beh-lo yau´n- då By\lui erac\;ql´" How much is this? plaster = Band Aid in the USA. dha˘ le´h? (“How do you sell sellotape = Scotch tape in the USA. this?”) ball pen = ball point pen in the UK.

6.2. HAVE YOU GOT …? YES. Variant In place of Cı´-meh-naw? you may hear –

S1 Ba a˘ lo shı´-ba- Ba Aluir˙ipåql´" What do you need? Cı´-ya´-aun. Âkv\.reAac\" Can I have a look?

dha˘ le´h? or Ba lo-jin-dha˘ le´h? Ba luiK¥c\ql´" What do you want?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 72 Burmese By Ear Unit 6: Shops 73

6.3. HAVE YOU GOT …? NO.

6.5. HOW MANY? S2 Pa˘ la-sa˘ ta shı´-la´? plasta r˙ila;" Do you have any

sticking plaster? New word

S1 Ma˘ shı´-ba-bu´. mr˙ipåB¨;" No, I haven’t. beh-hna˘ -… By\N˙s \ … How many …? or Ma˘ shı´-da´w-ba-bu´. mr˙ieta.påB¨;" No, I haven’t any

more. Countwords

Koun-dhwa´-bi. kun\q∑a;®p^" I’ve run out. The following are the countwords used on the tape. For a fuller S’aw-rı-naw?´ eSar^;ena\" I’m sorry. list see Appendix 4 (the number system).

S2 Aw. Keiq-sa´ ma˘ shı´- eAa\" kisß mr˙ipåB¨;" Oh. It doesn’t k’weq K∑k\ cup, glass (of drink)

´ ba-bu´. matter. bu B¨; packet (of plasters, cigarettes), jar (of coffee), tube (of toothpaste)

Notes leiq lip\ roll (of film, toilet paper)

Keiq-sa´ ma˘ shı´-ba-bu´. Literally “activity + not + exist”: hence “it’s k’we eK∑ reel (of tape)

no bother”, “it doesn’t matter”. lou´n luM; bottle, can; also countword for bags,

´ Ma˘ shı´-ba-bu´ “I haven’t any”. Ma˘ shı´-da´ w-ba-bu. “I haven’t any envelopes, hats, … any more. I no longer have any”. The suffix -ta´ w/-da´ w with a k’u´ Ku item, unit (for samusa, postcard, …)

negated verb conveys the meaning “no longer, not any more,

´ not after all”. Compare Ma˘ sı-da´ ´ w-ba-bu. “I won’t take (your Example sentences

taxi) after all” in 5.6. S1 Pa˘ la-sa˘ ta beh-hna˘ - plasta How many boxes of

´ bu´ yu-ma˘ leh? By\N˙s\B¨; y¨ml´" plaster will you

6.4. THINGS TO BUY have? New words S2 Ta˘ bu´ yu-meh. ts\B¨; y¨my\" I’ll take one.

The following are the words practised on the tape. For other S1 P’a˘ lin beh-hna˘ -leiq Plc\ By\N˙s\lip\ How many rolls of things you may want to buy look in the English-Burmese yu-ma˘ le´h? y¨ml´" film will you have? vocabulary. S2 Ta˘ leiq yu-meh. ts\lip\ y¨my\" I’ll take one. paiq-s’an-eiq puik\SMAit\ purse (“money bag”) lweh-eiq l∑y\Ait\ shoulder bag (see note below) 6.6. DIFFERENT KINDS

sa-eiq saAit\ envelope (“letter bag”)

sa-ye´-seq-ku saer;sk˚ø writing paper (“letter-write New words

paper”) da-myo´ dåm¥oi; that kind

ouq-t’ouq Ë;Tup\ hat (“head binding”) thou´n-myo quM;m¥oi; three kinds

´ a˘ myo´-myo Am¥oi;m¥oi; various kinds Note di-pyin or dı´-pyin d^®pc\ or d^.®pc\ apart from this (“this + lweh-eiq is literally a “hang-from-the-shoulder bag”. A bag outside”) woven of wool and cotton with a long integral loop to drape

from your shoulder. Also called “Shan bag” in English Sample exchanges

´ because many of them are made in the Shan State. S1 Da-myo´ caiq-la? dåm¥oi; ’kik\la;" Do you like this kind?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

74 Burmese By Ear Unit 6: Shops 75

S2 Da-myo´ theiq dåm¥oi; qip\ I don’t like that kind ma˘ caiq-pa-bu´. m’kik\påB¨;" very much. Colours named after objects

lim\ema\erac\

Dı´-pyin ba shı´-dhe´- d^.®pc\ Ba What do you have lein-maw-yaun orange [“colour of orange”]

´ Krm\;erac\

dha˘ le´h? r˙ieq;ql´" apart from this? k’a˘ yan-yaun purple [“colour of aubergine”]

´ pn\;erac\ S1 Dı´-pyin hna˘ myo´ shı´- d^.®pc\ N˙s\m¥oi; Besides that we have pan-yaun pink [“colour of flowers”]

eRWerac\ ba-dhe´-deh. r˙ipåeq;ty\" two other kinds. shwe-yaun gold [“colour of gold”]

ec∑erac\ or Da-be´h shı´-ba-deh. dåp´ r˙ipåty\" That’s all I have. ngwe-yaun silver [“colour of silver”]

´ mı-go´ -yaun m^;Kui;erac\ grey [“colour of smoke”]

Note Needless to say, the list above is indefinitely extendable.

´ ´

Ba shı´-dha˘ le´h? “What is there?”. Ba shı´-dhe-dha˘ leh? “What else

is there?”. Compare Shı´-ba-dhe´-deh “There is more to come” in If pressed, you can always fall back on comparison: point to 4.5, and Lo-ba-dhe´-deh “something is still missing, there is still something and say – some way to go” in 5.7. di-a˘ yaun d^Aerac\ this colour

Colours 6.7. I’LL LEAVE IT THANKS In case you want to ask for different colours here is a list of some words that may be helpful. New words and phrases

Basic colour words Di-lo-s’o ma˘ weh- d^luiSui In that case I’ll leave it.

´ mwy\eta.påB¨;"

a˘ yaun Aerac\ colour da´w-ba-bu. ´ Âkv\.AuM;my\ena\"

a˘ pya A®pa blue Cı´-oun-meh-naw? I’ll keep on looking. a˘ seın´ Asim\; green I’ll think about it a˘ wa Awå yellow

a˘ ni An^ red Sample exchange

´ ´ ´ n´n´ m¥a;påty\" a˘ p’yu A®Pø white S1 Neh-neh mya-ba- That’s a bit expensive.

a˘ nyo AVui brown deh.

´ ´ elYa.påAuM;la;" a˘ neq Ank\ black Sha´w-ba-oun-la. How about dropping

the price? Example S2 Ma˘ ya´-bu´-bya. mrB¨;b¥a" No.

melYa.Nuic\påB¨;"

A˘ pya shı´-la´? A®pa r˙ila;" Do you have a blue one? Ma˘ sha´w-nain-ba- I can’t drop it.

Do you have any blue ones? bu´.

´ ´ eAa\' Sa-eiq-a˘ p yu saAit\A®Pø I like the white envelope. S1 Aw. Ce-zu tin- Oh. Thanks. ’ ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\"

caiq-pa-deh. ’kik\påty\" I like the white envelopes. ba-deh.

Colour words may be modified by the addition of – Cı´-ouń-meh-naw? Âkv\.AuM;my\ena\" I’ll keep on looking. ´ ekac\;på®p^" -yıń -rc\. deep S2 Kaun-ba-bi. As you wish. -nu´ -Nu pale e.g. a˘ pya-yıń A®parc\. deep blue a˘ wa-nu´ AwåNu pale yellow

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 76 Burmese By Ear Unit 6: Shops 77

Notes S1 Theiq ma˘ caiq-pa- qip\ m’kik\påB¨;" Not very much.

´ ´ Ma˘ weh-ba-bu “I won’t buy it”. Ma˘ weh-da´ w-ba-bu “I won’t buy it bu´.

after all”. The suffix -da´ w-/-ta´ w- with a negated verb conveys S2 Beh-ha caiq- By\ha ’kik\ql´" Which kind do you

the meaning “no longer, not after all”. tha˘ le´h? like?

Cı´-meh-naw? “I’m going to have a look – OK?”. Cı´-oun-meh-naw? S1 E´h-da caiq-pa- A´då ’kik\påty\" I like that one.

“I’ll keep on looking – OK?”. The suffix -ou´n- conveys contin- deh. uation, something extra, more. S2 H ouq-ke´h. Hla´- hut\k´." l˙påty\" Right. It is pretty.

ba-deh.

´ REVIEW FOR UNIT 6: SHOPS Tha˘ ye-le´h kaun- qa;erl´ ekac\;ty\" The leather is good Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 deh. quality too. Side B. S1 225-jaq-naw? 225-k¥p\ena\" It was 225 wasn’t it?

S2 H ouq-pa-deh. hut\påty\" Yes it was.

´ ´ Review dialogue 1 S1 Ne´h-neh mya-ba- n´n´ m¥a;påty\" That’s a bit too

S1, a foreign visitor, wants to buy a purse. He goes into a shop that has deh. much.

´ some purses on the counter, and picks out one he quite likes. He asks Sha´w-ba-ou´n-la. elYa.påAuM;la;" How about bringing

the shopkeeper (S2) – it down a bit? ´ A´då bmalui By\lui S1 Eh-da Ba˘ ma-lo What’s that called in S2 Sha´w-lo´ ma˘ ya´- elYa.lui≥ mrB¨;" I can’t bring that

eKÅql´"

beh-lo k’aw- Burmese? bu´. down.

´ ´ dha˘ leh? Da a˘ ne´h-zoun- då An´SuM;eZ;p´" That’s my lowest

puik\SMAit\på" ´

S2 Paiq-s’an-eiq-pa. It’s called “paiq- ze´-beh. price.

s’an-eiq”. S1 Aw. Cı´-ou´n-meh- eAa\" Âkv\.AuM;my\ena\" Oh. Then I’ll carry ´ puik\SMAit\la;" S1 Paiq-s’an-eiq-la? “Paiq-s’an-eiq”? naw. on looking.

hut\påty\"

S2 H ouq-pa-deh. Yes. S2 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" As you wish. S1 Da beh-lauq-le´h? då By\elak\l´" How much is that?

S2 225-jaq-pa. 225-k¥p\på" 225 kyats. Review Dialogue 2.

S1 T’aq-pya´w-ba- Tp\e®papåAuM;" Please could you Scene: Another shop. S1 is a foreign visitor and S2 is the shopkeeper. ou´n. say that again? S2 Ba-a˘ lo shı´-ba- Ba Aluir˙ipåql´ What would you

225-k¥p\på" S2 225-jaq-pa. 225 kyat. dha˘ le´h K in- Kc\b¥a" like, Sir?

d^.®pc\ Ba r˙ieq;ql´" ’

S1 Di-pyin ba shı´- What else do you bya?

´ ´

dhe-dha˘ leh? have? S1 Sa-eiq shı´-la´? saAit\ r˙ila;" Have you got any

S2 La´w-law-zeh elaelaSy\ quM;m¥oi;p´ At the moment we envelopes?

´ ´ ´ r˙ipåty\" thoun-myo-beh have three types. S2 Shı´-ba-deh Bya. r˙ipåty\ b¥a" Yes, I have. shı´-ba-deh. Di-hma. d^m˙a" Here you are. dåry\' dåry\' dåry\" Da-yeh, da-yeh, This one, this one, S1 Cı´-meh-naw? Âkv\.my\ena\" Do you mind if I

da-yeh. and this one. have a look? ´ dåm¥oi; ’kik\qla;"

Da-myo caiq- Do you like that S2 Cı´-ba. Âkv\.på" Please do. tha˘ la´? kind? Ya´-ba-deh. rpåty\" No problem.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 78 Burmese By Ear Unit 6: Shops 79

S1 Dı´-pyin ba shı´- d^.®pc\ Ba r˙ieq;ql´" What else do you S1 Keiq-sa´ ma˘ shı´- kisß mr˙ipåB¨;" Never mind.

´ ´ dhe´-dha˘ leh? have? ba-bu.

S2 Ba-hma´ ma˘ shı´- Bam˙ mr˙iB¨;b¥a" I don’t have any- Sa-eiq-ka´ s’e´h- saAit\k 11-k¥p\ena\" The envelope was

bu´ bya. thing else. ta˘ jaq-naw? 11 kyats wasn’t it?

Di ta˘ myo´-deh- d^ts\m¥oi;tv\;p´ I just have this one S2 H ouq-pa-deh k’in- hut\påty\ Kc\b¥a" Yes. be´h shı´-ba-deh. r˙ipåty\" kind. bya.

The customer decides to take it after all. The customer hands over the money

´ ´

S1 Da beh-lauq-le´h? då By\elak\l´" How much is this? S2 Ce-zu tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\" Thank you.

S2 S’e´h-hna˘ caq-pa 12-k¥p\på Kc\b¥a" 12 kyats, Sir. S1 Thwa´-meh-naw? q∑a;my\ena\" Goodbye.

k’in-bya. S2 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Goodbye.

´ ´ S1 Ne´h-neh mya-ba- n´n´ m¥a;påty\" That’s a bit too

deh. much. UNIT 7. TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS

´ Sha´w-ba-ou´n-la. elYa.påAuM;la;" How about reduc-

ing that? 7.1 AND 7.2. EXCUSE ME (TO MEN AND TO WOMEN)

S2 Beh-lauq pe´-jin- By\elak\ ep;K¥c\l´" How much do want

le´h? to pay? Normally you attract someone’s attention by using a kin term, S1 Ta˘ s’eh pe´-meh. ts\Sy\ ep;my\" I’ll give you 10 choosing one that is appropriate to the gender and relative age of

kyats. the person you want to speak to. The list below gives a short Ya´-ma˘ la´? rmla;" How about that? selection which will provide you with a term suitable for almost S2 Di-lauq-ta´w d^elak\eta. elYa.lui≥ I can’t reduce it by all occasions.

sha´w-lo´ ma˘ ya´- mrB¨;b¥a" that much.

´ ´ bu´ bya. U-le Ë;el; uncle

S1 Beh-lauq sha´w- By\elak\ elYa.ml´" How much would Daw-daw edÅedÅ aunt ma˘ le´h? you reduce it? A˘ ko Akui brother

S2 Ta˘ jaq-ta´w sha´w- ts\k¥p\eta. elYa.lui≥ I could take off a A˘ ma´ Am sister

lo´ ya´-deh. rty\" kyat. Tha´ qa; son

S’e´h-ta˘ jaq pe- 11-k¥p\ How about you Tha˘ mı´ qm^; daughter laiq-pa-la´? ep;luik\påla;" paying me 11

kyats? Common responses to “Excuse me”

S1 Kau´n-ba-bi. Yu- ekac\;på®p^" y¨my\" All right. I’ll take it. H ouq-ke´h? hut\k´." Yes?

meh. Ba-le´h? Bal´" What is it?

Sa-ye´-seq-ku shı´- saer;sk˚ø r˙ila;" Do you have any Bya? b¥a" Yes? (man speaking)

la´? writing paper? Shin? r˙c\" Yes? (woman speaking) S2 Sa-ye´-seq-ku- saer;sk˚øeta. I haven’t any writ-

da´w ma˘ shı´- mr˙ieta.påB¨;" ing paper left. Note

da´w-ba-bu´. Bya? is a shortened form of K’in-bya, the polite tag for male

Koun-dhwa´-bi. kun\q∑a;®p^" It’s all sold. speakers.

´ S’a´w-rı-naw. eSar^;ena\" Sorry. Shin? is the same word as the polite tag for female speakers.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

80 Burmese By Ear Unit 7: Taking photographs 81

´ Bya? and Shin? are also used when the listener hasn’t caught Pı-bi´ or Pı-ba-bi: literally “I’ve finished” or “It’s over”. For the what you’ve said. They’re used like “I beg your pardon?” in verb suffix -bi/-pi see Verb Paradigms in Appendix 3 (outline English. grammar).

7.3. DO YOU MIND IF I TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH? REVIEW FOR UNIT 7: TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 S1 Di-hma daq-poun d^m˙a Dåt\puM I’d like to take a Side B. yaiq-c’in-ba- Ruik\K¥c\påty\" photograph here. deh. Review Dialogue 1 Ya´-deh-naw? rty\ena\" That’s all right isn’t it? S1 is a foreign visitor. He wants to take a photograph of a shop, so he S2 Ya´-ba-deh. rpåty\" Yes that’s all right. asks the woman shopkeeper (S2) if she minds.

Y aiq-pa. Ruik\på" Go ahead. S1 A˘ ma´. Am Excuse me.

S1 K’a˘ na´-le´-naw? K%el;ena\" Just a moment, OK? S2 Shin? r˙c\" Yes?

Ke´h. k´" There. S1 Di-hma daq-poun d^m˙a Dåt\puM I’d like to take a Pı-bi.´ ®p^;®p^" I’ve taken it. yaiq-c’in-ba- Ruik\K¥c\påty\" photograph here. deh. Alternative ending Ya´-deh-naw? rty\ena\" It’s all right, isn’t it? S1 Di-hma daq-poun d^m˙a Dåt\puM I’d like to take a S2 S’ain-go daq- Suic\kui Dåt\puM You’re going to take yaiq-c’in-ba- Ruik\K¥c\påty\" photograph here. poun yaiq-meh? Ruik\my\?" a photograph of deh. the shop?

Ya´-deh-naw? rty\ena\" That’s all right isn’t it? Ya´-ba-deh Shin. rpåty\ r˙c\" Yes, that’s all right. S2 Ma˘ ya´-bu´. mrB¨;" No it’s not all right. Y aiq-ta-ba´w. Ruik\taepå≥" Of course you can.

Ma˘ yaiq-pa-ne´h. mRuik\pån´≥" Don’t take a photo- The photographer takes one shot, and then decides to take another. graph. S1 K’a˘ na´-le´-naw? K%el;ena\" Just a moment,

Ma˘ yaiq-c’in-ba- mRuik\K¥c\påB¨;" I don’t want to be please.

´ ´

bu. photographed. Keh. Pı-bi.´ k´" ®p^;®p^" There. I’ve finished.

´ ´

S1 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" All right. Ce-zu tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\" Thank you. Ma˘ yaiq-pa-bu´. mRuik\påB¨;" I won’t take one. S2 Ya´-ba-deh Shin. rpåty\r˙c\" That’s all right. Da-ne´h Shin beh dån´≥ r˙c\ By\Nuic\cMk By the way, what

New words nain-ngan-ga´ latal´" country do you

k’a˘ na´ K% a moment, an instant la-da-le´h? come from?

´ ´

k’a˘ na´-le´ K%el; a little moment S1 Na ma˘ leh-ba-bu. na;mlv\påB¨;" I don’t understand.

pı-deh´ ®p^;ty\ to finish Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga theiq bmaska; qip\ I don’t speak much

ma˘ pya´w-daq- me®patt\påB¨;" Burmese.

Notes pa-bu´. Ke´h is a word you can use when you’ve just finished one thing and you’re going on to another. In English you might say “There” or “Right” or “Well” or “Now”.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 82 Burmese By Ear Unit 8: Asking the way 83

S2 Keiq-sa´ ma˘ shı´- kisß mr˙ipåB¨; r˙c\" It doesn’t matter. I UNIT 8. ASKING THE WAY

ba-bu´ Shin. Alka; was just curious.

´ A˘ la˘ ga´ me-ne- em;entapå" 8.1. WHERE CAN I GET A … NEAR HERE?

da-ba. S1 Thwa´-meh-naw? q∑a;my\ena\" Goodbye then. The question Ë;Tup\ wy\K¥c\påty\"

S2 H ouq-ke´h Shin. hut\k´. r˙c\" Fine. Goodbye. S1 Ouq-t’ouq weh- I’d like to buy a hat.

Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" jin-ba-deh.

Di-na´-hma beh- d^na;m˙a By\m˙a rml´ Do you know where

Review Dialogue 2 hma ya´-ma˘ le´h qi(q)la;" I could get one

S1 is a foreigner, S2 a Burmese man. thı´-(dha˘ )la´? near here?

´ S1 U-le´. Ë;el;" Excuse me. S2 Bya? Ba louq- b¥a" Balup\ep;rml´" Yes? What can I do Answer 1

r˙ipåty\" ´ pe´-ya´-ma˘ leh? for you? S2 Shı´-ba-deh. There are some.

rpåty\"

S1 Di-hma daq-poun d^m˙a Dåt\puM I’d like to take a or Ya´-ba-deh. You can get one. ´ d^Bk\ q∑a;på" yaiq-c’in-ba- Ruik\K¥c\påty\" photograph here. S2 Di-beq thwa-ba. Go this way. deh.

Ya´-deh-naw? rty\ena\" It is all right, isn’t it? Answer 2

´ ´ d^na;m˙a mr˙ipåB¨;"

S2 Aw. U-le´-go eAa\" Ë;el;kui Dåt\puM Oh. You’re think- S2 Di-na-hma There aren’t any daq-poun yaiq- Ruik\mlui≥la;" ing of taking one ma˘ shı´-ba-bu´. around here.

huiBk\m˙a rmy\" ma˘ lo´-la´? of me, are you? H o-beq-hma ya´- You’d get some way Ma˘ yaiq-ne´h Bya. mRuik\n´≥b¥a" No, please don’t. meh. over there.

Ma˘ yaiq-c’in-ba- mRuik\K¥c\påB¨;" I don’t want to be Answer 3

´ mqipåB¨;"

bu´. photographed. S2 Ma˘ thı´-ba-bu. I don’t know.

´ ´ eSar^;ena\"

S1 T’aq-pya´w-ba- Tp\e®papåAuM;" Could you say that S’aw-rı-naw? I’m sorry. ou´n? again, please?

S2 Aw. Daq-poun eAa\" Dåt\puM mRuik\Pui≥ Oh. I was asking New words ´ d^na;m˙a ma˘ yaiq-p o´ e®patapå" you not to take a di-na-hma near here (“this + area + in”)

’ rty\ pya´w-da-ba. photograph. ya´-deh to get, to obtain qity\ Ma˘ yaiq-se-jin-ba- mRuik\esK¥c\påB¨;" I don’t want you to thı´-deh to know

d^Bk\ bu´. take one. di-beq this way

huiBk\m˙a

S1 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" All right. ho-beq-hma over there Ma˘ yaiq-pa-bu´. mRuik\påB¨;" I won’t then.

Notes

´ ´ Di-na´-hma beh-hma ya´ -ma˘ leh thı´-dha˘ la? A long sentence. It is built up like this –

Beh-hma ya´- By\m˙a rml´" Where could I get one? ma˘ le´h?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

84 Burmese By Ear Unit 8: Asking the way 85

Beh-hma ya´- By\m˙a rml´ Do you know where sa´-daw-zeq sa;eta\Sk\ “food-honorific-proffer”

ma˘ le´h thı´- qiqla;" could I get one? sa-yeiq-myoun sa;rip\‘mM “eat-refuge, haven”

´ ´

dha˘ la´? pyaw-pweh-sa- ep¥a\p∑´sa;RuM “enjoy-banquet-eat-

Di-na´-hma beh- d^na;m˙a By\m˙a Do you know where I youn establishment”

hma ya´-ma˘ le´h rml´ qiqla;" could get one near

thı´-dha˘ la´? here?

Beh-hma ya´ -ma˘ le´h? “Where can I get one?” Notice that the 8.3. HOW DO I GET TO …?

Burmese has ya´ -ma˘ le´h, literally “Where shall I get one?” It’s

as if you were asking “Where would I get one (if I wanted Bo-jouq La´n buil\K¥op\lm\; I want to go to

to)?” thwa´-jin-ba-deh. q∑a;K¥c\påty\" Bogyoke Street.

H o-beq-hma “over there” is used where the place referred to is Beh-lo thwa´-ya´- By\lui q∑a;rml´" How do I get there?

quite a long way away. ma˘ le´h?

´ ´ Di-na´-hma beh-hma ya´ -ma˘ leh thı´-dha˘ la? “Do you know where I

could get one near here?”. A common variant of this question Note

´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´ is: Di-na´-hma beh-hma ya´ -ma˘ leh ma˘ thı´-bu? This version Beh-lo thwa-ya´ -ma˘ leh?: Beh-lo “how”, thwa-ya´ -ma˘ leh? “should I appears to say “I don’t know where I could get one near go”. here”, but it is often used to imply the unspoken question “… I wonder if you could help me?”. REVIEW FOR UNIT 8: ASKING THE WAY Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4

8.2. IS THERE A … NEAR HERE? Side B.

Di-na´-hma ho-teh d^na;m˙a huity\ r˙ila;" Is there a hotel near Review Dialogue 1 shı´-dha˘ la´? here? Scene: a street in a town in Burma. S1 is a foreign visitor, and S2 a

Burmese man.

Places you may want to ask for. S1 U-le´. Ë;el;" Excuse me. The words below are those practised on the tape. For a fuller list S2 E´. eA;" Yes?

see the Topical Vocabulary for sites and places. S1 Sa-eiq weh-jin- saAit\ wy\K¥c\påty\" I want to buy an t’a˘ mın-zain´ Tmc\;Suic\ restaurant (“rice shop”) ba-deh. envelope.

la˘ p’eq-ye-zain lk\Pk\rv\Suic\ café (“tea shop”) S2 Ba weh-jin-deh? Ba wy\K¥c\ty\? You want to buy

a˘ e´-zain AeA;Suic\ cold drinks bar (“cold things what?

shop”) T’aq-pya´w-ba- Tp\e®papåAuM;" Please say that

´ s’e´-zain eS;Suic\ chemist’s shop (“medicine oun. again.

shop”) S1 Sa-eiq-pa. saAit\på" An envelope. S2 Aw. Sa-eiq-la´? eAa\ saAit\la;" Oh. An envelope.

Note Di-da´w … ? d^eta. ?" So … ?

Restaurant signboards often use more elegant or pretentious S1 Di-na´-hma beh- d^na;m˙a By\m˙a rml´ Do you know where

´ names than t’a˘ mın-zain; e.g. hma ya´-ma˘ le´h qila;" I could get one

´ sa´-thauq-s’ain sa;eqak\Suic\ “eat-drink-shop” thı´-la? around here?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

86 Burmese By Ear Unit 8: Asking the way 87

S2 Shı´-ba-deh. Di- r˙ipåty\" d^Bk\ q∑a;" There is somewhere. S2 Ca˘ ma´-la´? A˘ ma˘ le k¥mla;" Me?! Good heavens

beq thwa´. Go this way. Ta´w. Beh Amel;eta\" above! However

´ ´ She´-na´-din twe´- er˙>na;tc\ et∑>my\" You’ll see it just pyaw-daq-ma˘ leh By\e®patt\ml´ should I be able to

meh. ahead of you. Maun-yin-yeh. emac\rc\ry\" speak English,

´ ´ S1 Ce´-zu tin-ba-deh ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\ r˙c\ Thank you (+ tag). Caun-hma´ ek¥ac\;m˙ mtk\K´.ta" young man? I

Shin (or K’in- (or Kc\b¥a")" ma˘ teq-k’e´h-da. k´' tuitui e®paÂksui≥ never even went to

bya). Ke´h. To-do Suirc\eta. d^na;m˙a school. Anyway,

S2 Ya´-ba-deh Bya. rpåty\ b¥a" That’s all right. pya´w-ja´-zo´ s’o- AeA;Suic\ to cut the cackle,

yin-da´w di-na´- mr˙ieta.påB¨;" there isn’t a cold Review Dialogue 2 hma a˘ e´-zain lk\Pk\rv\Suic\el;e drinks bar in this

Scene: a street in a town in Burma. S1 is a foreign visitor, and S2 a ma˘ shı´-da´w-ba- ta. r˙ity\" area any more, but

Burmese woman. bu´. La˘ p’eq-ye- huiBk\m˙a" there is a little café

S1 Daw-daw. edÅedÅ" Excuse me. zain-le´-da´w shı´- – over there.

S2 Ba-le´h Ta´w? Bal´ eta\." What is it (+ tag)? deh. H o-beq-

S1 Di-na´-hma a˘ e- d^na;m˙a AeA;Suic\ Is there a cold hma.

´ ´ zain shı´-la´? r˙ila;" drinks bar near S1 Ce-zu tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\" Thank you.

here? S2 Ya´-ba-deh Maun- rpåty\ emac\rc\" That’s all right, S2 A˘ yin-dou´n-ga´ di- Arc\tun\;k d^m˙a There used to be yin. young man. hma shı´-ge´h- r˙iK´.ty\ emac\rc\" one in the old deh Maun-yin. mN˙s\keta. Suic\r˙c\ days, young man. Review Dialogue 3

Ma˘ hniq-ka´-da´w, SuM;q∑a;tala; But last year, I Scene: a street in a town in Burma. S1 is a foreign visitor, and S2 a

s’ain-shin s’ou´n- Bala; mqiB¨;" don’t know Burmese man.

dhwa´-da-la ba- pit\Ta;luik\ta qti whether the shop- S1 A˘ ko. Akui" Excuse me.

la´ ma˘ thı´-bu, Ta;mipåty\" keeper died or or S2 H ouq-ke´h K’in- hut\k´. Kc\b¥a" Yes (+ tag)?

peiq-t’a´-laiq-ta what, but I noticed bya.

tha˘ dı´ t’a´-mı´-pa- the shop was S1 A˘ naw-ya˘ t’a Lan Aena\rTalm\; I want to go to

deh. closed. thwa´-jin-ba-deh. q∑a;K¥c\påty\" Anawrahta Street.

´ ´

S1 Na´ ma˘ leh-ba-bu na;mlv\påB¨; Kc\b¥a" I don’t understand Beh-lo thwa-ya´- By\lui q∑a;rml´" How do I get there?

K’in-bya. (+ tag). ma˘ le´h?

´ ´ ´

S’aw-rı-naw?´ eSar^;ena\" I’m sorry. S2 Ba lan-leh? Balm\;l´" What street? Did

´ ´

Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ theiq bmaska; qip\ I don’t speak much Gaw-ra˘ k’a Lan- egÅrKå;lm\;la;" you say Gawrakha

ma˘ pya´w-daq- me®patt\påB¨;" Burmese. la? Street?

pa-bu´. S1 Ma˘ houq-pa-bu. mhut\påB¨;" No. Anawrahta

Daw-daw In- edÅedÅ Agçlip\ska; Can you speak A˘ naw-ya˘ t’a La´n- Aena\rTalm\;på" Street.

ga˘ leiq sa˘ ga´ e®patt\qla;" English? ba.

pya´w-daq- tha˘ la´?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

88 Burmese By Ear Unit 9: Your visit to Burma 89

S2 Aw. A˘ naw-ya˘ t’a eAa\' Oh, Anawrahta S2 H ouq-ke´h. Ne´h- hut\k´." n´n´ Yes, I can speak a

´ ´ ´

La´n-la? Ma˘ thı´- Aena\rTalm\;la;" Street. I don’t neh pyaw-daq- e®patt\påty\" bit.

ba-bu´ Bya. mqipåB¨;b¥a" know. I am sorry. pa-deh.

´ S’aw-rı-naw?´ eSar^;ena\" I'm not from

Ca˘ naw-ga´ Y an- kÁn\eta\k rn\kun\k Rangoon. I’m only Compliments

goun-ga´ mhut\B¨;" K%p´ here for a short S1 Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ bmaska; e®pata qip\ You speak Burmese

ma˘ houq-p’u´. Alv\latael" visit. pyaw-da theiq ekac\;tap´" really well!

´ ´

K’a˘ na´-be´h a˘ leh- kaun-da-beh.

la-da-le. or Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ bmaska; e®pata You speak Burmese

´ ´

A˘ ma˘ le´. Theiq Amel;' Wow. It’s very hot, pyaw-da a˘ yan Arm\; p^tap´" wonderfully!

pu-deh-naw? qip\p¨ty\ena\" isn’t it? pi-da-be´h.

´ S1 H ouq-ke´h. Theiq hut\k´. qip\p¨påty\" Yes, it is. S2 Aw. Ce´-zu tin- eAa\" Oh, thank you.

pu-ba-deh. ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\"

´ ´

Ke´h. Thwa-meh- k´' q∑a;my\ena\" Well, goodbye then. Theiq ma˘ pyaw- qip\ I can’t speak much

naw? daq-the´-ba-bu. me®patt\eq;påB¨;" yet.

S2 Kau´n-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" Goodbye. S1 Ba˘ ma-za-gaw bmasaeka Can you read

p’aq-taq-tha˘ la´? Pt\tt\qla;" Burmese as well?

S2 Ma˘ p’aq-taq-the´- mPt\tt\eq;påB¨;" Not yet.

UNIT 9. YOUR VISIT TO BURMA ba-bu´.

or H ouq-ke´h. Ne´h- hut\k´." n´n´ Yes, I can read a Unit 9 covers seven of the commonest topics you’ll be asked ne´h p’aq-taq- Pt\tt\påty\" little. about in connection with your visit. pa-deh.

9.1. TOPIC 1: YOU SPEAK BURMESE! New words

sa˘ ga´ ska; words

The reaction to your Burmese sa˘ ga´ pyaw- ska; e®paty\ to talk, speak, converse

S1 Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ bmaska; You can speak deh

´ ´ pya´w-daq-teh- e®patt\ty\ena\" Burmese, can’t sa˘ ga pyaw- ska; e®patt\ty\ to know how to talk, to

naw? you? daq-teh be able to talk

or Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ bmaska; Can you speak sa sa writing, text

pya´w-daq- e®patt\qla;" Burmese? sa p’aq-teh sa Pt\ty\ to read

tha˘ la´? sa p’aq-taq- sa Pt\tt\ty\ to know how to read

or Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ bmaska; So you can speak teh

pya´w-daq-teh e®patt\ty\ Burmese, can you? pi-deh p^ty\ to be accurate, well

houq-la´? hut\la;" pronounced

´ or Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ bmaska; Hey – you can a˘ yan Arm\; tremendously, stunning-

´ pya´w-daq-pa-la! e®patt\påla;" speak Burmese! ly, amazingly

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 90 Burmese By Ear Unit 9: Your visit to Burma 91

Notes Alternative question

´ ´

Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga “Burmese (spoken language)” and Ba˘ ma sa or Ba˘ ma- S1 Ba lu-myo´-leh? Bal¨m¥oi;l´" What nationality are you?

´ za “Burmese (writing)”: you may also hear Myan-ma sa˘ ga´ and S2 Dutch lu-myo-ba. dt\K¥\l¨m¥oi;på" I’m Dutch. Myan-ma sa which have the same meanings, but are more

formal terms (see 3.4). New words

´ ´ Ne´h-neh pyaw-daq-pa-deh “I can speak a bit”. A common variant la-deh laty\ to come

is – beh-ga´ By\k where from?

´ ´

Ne´h-neh-beh n´n´p´ I can speak only a nain-ngan Nuic\cM country, state

pya´w-daq-pa- e®patt\påeq;ty\" little so far. lu-myo l¨m¥oi; race, nationality (“man + kind, type”)

dhe´-deh.

´ ´ The suffix -be´h means “only”, and the suffix -the/-dhe with Notes

positive verbs means “so far, as yet”. Take care to distinguish the three basic place suffixes:

´ -ga´w/-ka w “and how about … ?”. A suffix that asks the previous -ka´ /- g a´ “from”, -hma “in, at”, and no suffix (sometimes -ko/-go ) question about a new topic; example– “to”. Examples:

Peq-si caiq- pk\s^ ’kik\qla;" Do you like Pepsi? Tha-zi-ga´ la-ba- qasv\k lapåty\" He comes from tha˘ la´? deh Thazi. H ouq-ke´h. Caiq- hut\k´.' ’kik\påty\" Yes, I do. Tha-zi-hma ne- qasv\m˙a enpåty\" He lives in Thazi.

pa-deh. ba-deh

Kouq-ka´w — kut\eka _ How about Coke – Tha-zi thwa-ba- qasv\ q∑a;påty\" He went to Thazi. caiq-tha˘ la´? ’kik\la;" do you like that deh

too?

The suffix -the´/-dhe with negated verbs conveys the meaning “so Variants.

far, yet, as yet”; example – Beh-ga´ la-da-le´h? “Where do you come from?” The three se-

´ ´ ´ ´

Ma˘ a´-ba-bu. mAa;påB¨;" It’s not free. quences [verb]-da-leh? [verb]-dha˘ leh? [verb]-leh? are all used

´ ´

Ma˘ a´-dhe-ba-bu. mAa;eq;påB¨;" It’s not free yet. in much the same way:

´ ´

A˘ ya´n kaun-da-beh “it’s really good”: a variant, mildly exclama- Beh-ga´ la-da- By\k Where do you come from?

´ tory, on Theiq kaun-ba-deh “it’s very good”. le´h? latal´"

Beh-ga´ la- By\k Where do you come from?

dha˘ le´h? laql´"

9.2. TOPIC 2: WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Beh-ga´ la-le´h? By\k lal´" Where do you come from?

S1 Beh-ga´ la- By\k laql´" Where do you come The same is true of questions ending in -la´:

dha˘ le´h? from? In-ga˘ lan-ga´ la- Agçln\k Do you come from

or Beh nain-ngan- By\Nuic\cMk laql´" What country do da-la´? latala;" England?

ga´ la-dha˘ le´h? you come from? In-ga˘ lan-ga´ la- Agçln\k Do you come from Eng-

S2 In-ga˘ lan-ga´ la- Agçln\k lapåty\" I come from Eng- dha˘ la´? laqla;" land? ba-deh. land. In-ga˘ lan-ga´ la-la´? Agçln\k Do you come from Eng- lala;" land?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 92 Burmese By Ear Unit 9: Your visit to Burma 93

quial term has thus been given, in those contexts, a hint of You will also hear the suffix -ta/-da in statements: contempt or hostility. In-ga˘ lan-ga´ la- Agçln\k I come from England. da-ba. latapå" Formerly the Burmese name for Burma itself also had official and In-ga˘ lan-ga´ la- Agçln\k I come from England. colloquial variants:

ba-deh. lapåty\" Myan-ma Nain-ngan ®mn\maNuic\cM Burma (official) At this stage it is best to keep with the familiar forms (la-dha˘ la´? Ba˘ ma Nain-ngan bmaNuic\cM Burma (colloquial) la-ba-deh etc) for your own speaking, but you need to know the However, in 1989 the military government of Burma ruled that variants so that you can recognise them when others use them. the form Myan-ma should be used for the whole country and matters concerned with it, while the form Ba˘ ma should be Names of countries limited to the ethnic Burmese. (The combination Ba˘ ma Nain- The Burmese names of the countries of the world are mostly ngan was thus to become meaningless, as the ethnic Burmese modelled on the English names; for example: have no one state of their own.) The new distinction is observed In-ga˘ lan Agçln\ England in printed material in Burma, and in spoken public addresses, A˘ merı´-ka´ Aemrik America but in everyday conversation the traditional meanings are still Ja-ma˘ ni g¥amn^ Germany preserved. The same ruling is applied to the English terms I-ta˘ li A^tl^ Italy “Burma” and “Myanmar”: see About Burmese in the introduction

Ja˘ pan g¥pn\ Japan to this booklet.

In-do-nı-sha´ Ac\duin^;r˙a; Indonesia

Aw-sa˘ tre´-lya´ ÂqseÂt;l¥ Australia In many cases, and particularly for the colloquial forms, the

´ Country names that are not based on English versions include word nain-ngan “country” may be replaced by pye (e.g. Yo´-da˘ ya

the following: Pye), which means the same thing; or it may be omitted alto- Ta˘ youq Nain-ngan tRut\Nuic\cM China gether: people say Ja˘ pan thwa´-meh “I’m going to go to Japan”. Pyin-thiq Nain-ngan ®pc\qs\Nuic\cM France Thi-rı´ Lin-ga Nain-ngan q^rilkçaNuic\cM Sri Lanka Another group of countries have an official name and a collo- 9.3 AND 9.4. TOPIC 3: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN quial name, comparable to “The Netherlands” (official) and HERE? HAVE YOU BEEN HERE LONG?

“Holland” (colloquial) in English:

T’aın´ Nain-ngan Tuic\;Nuic\cM Thailand (official) S1 (Ba˘ ma-pye) (bma®pv\) erak\enta How long is it since

´ Yo´-da˘ ya Nain-ngan yui;dya;Nuic\cM Thailand (colloquial) yauq-ne-da By\elak\ Âka®p^l´" you came (to

Thi-rı´ Lin-ga Nain-ngan q^rilkçaNuic\cM Sri Lanka (official) beh-lauq ca-bi- Burma)?

Thi-ho Nain-ngan q^huiL\Nuic\cM Sri Lanka (colloquial) le´h? S2 Thou´n-baq shı´-bi. quM;pt\ r˙i®p^" I’ve been here three When the Burmese government wishes to express disapproval of weeks. Thai policies and actions, as it has done during the military and

verbal skirmishes of 2001-2002, the state-run media have used

´ ´ Yo-da˘ ya in place of the customary T’aın´ Nain-ngan. The collo-

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 94 Burmese By Ear Unit 9: Your visit to Burma 95

Alternative version S’eh-yeq-lauq shı´-bi “It’s been about ten days”. A common S1 (Ba˘ ma-pye) (bma®pv\) erak\enta Is it long since you variant is –

yauq-ne-da ca- Âka®p^la;" came (to Burma)? S’eh-yeq-lauq- Sy\rk\elak\p´ It’s been only about

´ ´ bi-la? be´h shı´-ba-dhe- r˙ipåeq;ty\" ten days so far.

S2 Ca-bi. S’eh-la´- Âka®p^" Sy\lelak\ Yes: it’s been about deh.

´ ´ ´

lauq shı´-bi. r˙i®p^" ten months. The suffix -p’e´h/-be h means “only”, and the suffix -the/-dhe

´ or Ma˘ ca-dhe´-ba-bu. mÂkaeq;påB¨;" No: it’s been about means “so far, as yet”. Compare the similar variant in 9.1. S’eh-yeq-lauq Sy\rk\elak\ r˙i®p^" ten days. shı´-bi. 9.5 AND 9.6. TOPIC 4: WHERE ARE YOU STAYING? HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? IS IT ALL RIGHT? New words

Âkaty\ ca-deh to take time, to take a long time S1 Beh-hma te´h- By\m˙a t´(en)(q)l´" Where are you

erak\ty\ yauq-teh to arrive (-ne)(dha˘ )le´h? staying?

erak\enta yauq-ne-da arriving and being here S2 H o-teh-hma te´h- huity\m˙a t´enpåty\" I’m staying in a yeq rk\ day ne-ba-deh. hotel.

pt\ paq week S1 A˘ k’a´n-ga´ beh- AKn\;K By\elak\ How much is the

l la´ month lauq pe´-ya´- ep;r(q)l´" rent?

N˙s\

hniq year (dha˘ )le´h? S2 Ta˘ nya´ nga´-zeh. ts\v 50" K50 a night.

Notes or Ta˘ la´ hna˘ t’aun. ts\l 2000" K2000 a month.

´ ´ Ba˘ ma-pye yauq-ne-da— ca-bi-la? Literally: Your arriving and S1 Eh-di-hma te´h- A´d^m˙a t´rta Is it all right staying

staying in Burma – has it been long? ya´-da a˘ s’in pye- ASc\e®pla;" there?

´ Ba˘ ma-pye yauq-ne-da— beh-lauq — ca-bi-leh? Literally: Your la´?

arriving and staying in Burma – how much – has it been long? S2 Theiq a˘ s’in-pye- qip\ ASc\e®ppåty\" It’s working out Ca-bi-la´? For the verb suffix -bi/-pi see Verb Paradigms in ba-deh. very well.

Appendix 3 (outline grammar). or Theiq a˘ s’in qip\ ASc\ me®ppåB¨;" It’s not working out Ba˘ ma and Myan-ma. For the two forms of the name of the coun- ma˘ pye-ba-bu´. very well.

try see 3.4.

´ ´ ´

Ma˘ ca-dhe´-ba-bu “not long yet, not long so far”. For -the/-dhe with New words

negated verbs see Lesson 9.1. te´h-deh t´ty\ or tv\;ty\ to stay

-lauq: a suffix added to quantities with the meaning “about, ın´ Ac\; inn

approximately”: cau´n-zaun ek¥ac\;eSac\ student hostel (dorm)

bi-ya thou´n-loun B^ya quM;luM; three cans of beer (“school building”)

´ bi-ya thou´n-loun- B^ya quM;luM;elak\ about three cans of meiq-s’we ein mit\eS∑Aim\ a friend’s house (“friend

lauq beer house”)

´ cå;N˙s\

nga-hniq five years a˘ k’a´n-ga´ AKn\;K rent (“room charge”)

´ cå;N˙s\elak\ nga-hniq-lauq about five years te´h-ya´-da t´rta staying, the stay

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

96 Burmese By Ear Unit 9: Your visit to Burma 97

Notes S2 Aw. Ce´-zu tin- eAa\" Oh. Thank you

´ Beh-hma te´h-ne-dha˘ leh? “Where are you staying?”: the suffix -ne ba-deh Shin. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\ (+ tag).

indicates temporary, non-permanent, activity; compare: r˙c\"

´ ´ Ba sa;ql´"

Ba sa-dha˘ leh? What do you eat? or Theiq ma˘ pya´w- qip\ I can’t speak much

What did you eat? daq-the´-ba-bu. me®patt\eq;påB¨;" yet.

´ ´ Ba sa;enql´" Ba sa-ne-dha˘ leh? What are you eat- S1 Ma˘ houq-p’u´. mhut\B¨;" qip\p^ty\" No, you can. You ing? or What were Theiq pi-deh. speak very accu-

you eating? rately.

Teh-ya´ -da “staying”: similar to yauq-ne-da “arriving” in Lesson Beh-hma te´h- By\m˙a t´l´" Where are you

9.3. le´h? staying?

Ta˘ nya´ nga´-zeh “K50 a night”: literally “One night: 50”. S2 Meiq-s’we ein- mit\eS∑Aim\m˙a I’m staying in a hma te´h-ne-ba- t´enpåty\" friend’s house.

Please treat the hotel room charges used in the exercises as for deh.

´ practice only. Inflation hs made actual charges rise dramatically. S1 Eh-di-hma te´h- A´d^m˙a t´rta Does staying there

ya´-da a˘ s’in pye- ASc\e®pla;" work out all right? REVIEW FOR UNIT 9: YOUR VISIT TO BURMA, PART 1 la´? (LESSONS 9.1 TO 9.6) S2 Theiq a˘ s’in pye- qip\ ASc\e®ppåty\" Yes, it works out

Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 ba-deh. very well. Side B. S1 Kau´n-ba-deh ekac\;påty\b¥a' That’s good. It’s

Bya. Theiq qip\ekac\;påty\" splendid.

Review Dialogue 1 kau´n-ba-deh.

´ Scene: a street in a town in Burma. S1 is an elderly Burmese man. S2 S2 Ke´h. Thwa-meh- k´' q∑a;my\ena\" Well. I’ll be going.

is a foreign woman who has just asked him the way to somewhere. naw?

´ enpåAuM;b¥a" S1 Ne-ba-oun Bya. Hold on a minute. S1 H ouq-ke´h. Kau´n- hut\k´." ekac\;på®p^" Right. Goodbye. By\Nuic\cMk latal´"

Beh nain-ngan- What country do ba-bi. ga´ la-da-le´h? you come from? S2 Ka˘ ne-da-ga´ la- kendåk lapåty\" I come from Review Dialogue 2 ba-deh. Canada. S1 is a woman in charge of a shop. S2 is a foreign man who has just

S1 Ba˘ ma-pye yauq- bma®pv\ erak\enta Have you been in bought something in the shop and is about to leave.

´ Âka®p^la;"

ne-da ca-bi-la? Burma a long S1 Shin-ga´ ba-lu- r˙c\k Bal¨m¥oi;l´" What nationality are

time? myo´-leh? you?

´ ´ mÂkaeq;påB¨;" S2 Ma˘ ca-dhe-ba-bu. No, not long S2 A˘ me-rı´-kan-lu- Aemrikn\l¨m¥oi;på" I’m American.

ts\pt\elak\ r˙i®p^" Ta˘ paq-lauq shı´- I’ve been here about myo´-ba.

bi. a week. S1 Y auq-ne-da beh- erak\enta How long have you

´ bmaska;eta.

S1 Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga-da´w But you can speak lauq ca-bi-le´h? By\elak\ Âka®p^l´" been here?

´ ´ ekac\;ekac\;

kaun-gaun Burmese very S2 C’auq-yeq-lauq e®Kak\rk\elak\ r˙i®p^" I’ve been here about

´ ´ e®patt\qa;p´

pyaw-daq-tha- well. shı´-bi. six days. be´h.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

98 Burmese By Ear Unit 9: Your visit to Burma 99

´ ´

S1 Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ bmaska; e®pataeta. But your Burmese is Keh. Thwa-meh- k´" q∑a;my\ena\" Well. I’ll be getting

pya´w-da-da´w mWt\entap´" superb! naw? along.

hmuq-ne-da- S1 Kau´n-ba-bi Shin. ekac\;på®p^r˙c\" enac\l´ All right. Come and

be´h. Naun-leh la-leh- lalv\påAuM;" visit here again.

S2 T’aq pya´w-ba- Tp\e®papåAuM;" Could you say that ba-oun.

ou´n. again, please? S2 Kaun-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^" OK.

S1 Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ bmaska; e®pata I said that you

pya´w-da theiq qip\p^tap´lui≥" speak Burmese 9.7 AND 9.8. TOPIC 5: WHY HAVE YOU COME TO BURMA? pi-da-be´h-lo´. very well.

S2 Aw. Theiq eAa\" qip\ Oh. I can’t speak it A question

ma˘ pya´w-daq- me®patt\eq;påB¨; much yet (+ tag). Ba˘ ma-pye ba bma®pv\ Bakisßn´≥ What have you

the´-ba-bu K’in- Kc\b¥a" keiq-sa´-ne´h la- laql´" come to Burma

bya. dha˘ le´h? for?

S1 Ba˘ ma-za-ga´w bmasaeka How about Some answers p’aq-taq-tha˘ la´? Pt\tt\qla;" Burmese writing – A˘ louq-ne´h la-ba- Alup\n´≥ lapåty\" I came here with my

can you read it? deh. job.

S2 H ouq-ke´h. Ne´h- hut\k´." n´n´ Yes, I can read a A˘ yaun-a˘ weh Aerac\;Awy\kisßn´≥ I came on business. ne´h p’aq-taq- Pt\tt\påty\" little. keiq-sa´-ne´h la- lapåty\"

pa-deh. ba-deh.

´ S1 Wu´n tha-ba-deh wm\;qapåty\ r˙c\" I’m delighted A˘ leh-beh la-ba- Alv\p´ lapåty\" I have just come for

Shin. Beh-hma By\m˙a t´l´" (+ tag). Where are deh. a visit.

´ ´ ´

te´h-leh? you staying? Tu-riq-pa-beh. t¨;rs\påp´" I am just a tourist. S2 H o-teh-hma te´h- huity\m˙a t´enpåty\" I’m staying in a A variant question

ne-ba-deh. hotel. Ba˘ ma-pye ba bma®pv\ Balup\Pui≥ What have you

S1 A˘ s’in pye-la´? ASc\e®pla;" Is that working out louq-p’o´ la- laql´" come to Burma to all right? dha˘ le´h? do? S2 H ouq-ke´h. A˘ s’in hut\k´." Yes, it is. Some more answers

pye-ba-deh. ASc\e®ppåty\" Daq-poun yaiq-p’o´ Dåt\puM Ruik\Pui≥ I came here to take

S1 A˘ k’a´n-ga´ beh- AKn\;K By\elak\ How much do you la-ba-deh. lapåty\" photographs.

´ lauq pe´-ya´-leh? ep;rl´" have to pay for the Lweh-eiq weh-bo´ la- l∑y\Ait\ wy\Pui≥ I came here to buy room? ba-deh. lapåty\" Shan bags.

S2 Ta˘ nya´ shiq-s’eh ts\v 80/- I pay K80 a night. Thu´-te-tha˘ na´ louq- quetqn lup\Pui≥ I came here to do

pe´-ya´-ba-deh. ep;rpåty\" p’o´ la-ba-deh. lapåty\" research.

´ ´ S1 A˘ ma˘ le! Ze cı-´ Amel;" Heavens! It’s A˘ louq louq-p’o´ la- Alup\ lup\Pui≥ I came here to work. deh-naw? eZ;Âk^;ty\ena\" expensive, isn’t it? ba-deh. lapåty\"

S2 H ouq-ke´h. Theiq hut\k´." qip\ Yes, it’s very A false assumption

´ ´

ze cı-ba-deh.´ eZ;Âk^;påty\" expensive. A˘ leh-beh la-da- Alv\p´ latala;" Have you just come la´? for a visit?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 100 Burmese By Ear Unit 9: Your visit to Burma 101

The answer 9.9. TOPIC 6: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF BURMA? Ma˘ houq-pa-bu´. mhut\påB¨;" No. Three questions on the same topic, using slightly different A˘ louq-ne´h la- Alup\n´≥ lapåty\" I came with my words. ba-deh. job. Question 1

New words S1 Ba˘ mapye-hma bma®pv\m˙a ASc\ Are things going all a˘ louq Alup\ work, job a˘ s’in pye-la´? e®pla;" right for you in

a˘ louq louq-teh Alup\ lup\ty\ to do a job, to work Burma? a˘ yau´n-a˘ weh Aerac\;Awy\ business, trading or Ba˘ mapye-hma bma®pv\m˙a enrta Is living in Burma

(“buying + ne-ya´-da ASc\ e®pla;" working out all right? selling”) a˘ s’in pye-la´?

a˘ leh Alv\ a visit, for a visit or Di-hma ne-ya´-da d^m˙a enrta ASc\ Is living here working thu´-te-tha˘ na´ quetqn research a˘ s’in pye-la´? e®pla;" out all right? thu´-te-tha˘ na´ quetqn lup\ty\ to do research S2 H ouq-ke´h. hut\k´." Yes, it is.

louq-teh A˘ s’in pye-ba- ASc\e®ppåty\" Ma˘ houq-pa-bu´. mhut\påB¨;" No (“that is not deh. correct”) or H ouq-ke´h. Theiq hut\k´." qip\ Yes, it’s working out a˘ s’in pye-ba- ASc\e®ppåty\" very well.

If your own reason for being in Burma is not one of these, you deh.

´ may find the words you need in the English-Burmese vocabulary or Kau´n-gaun ekac\;ekac\; It’s working out very at the end of this booklet. a˘ s’in pye-ba- ASc\e®ppåty\" well.

deh.

Notes or Ma˘ s’o´-ba-bu. mSui;påB¨;" It’s not bad. Ba keiq-sa´ -ne´ h la-dha˘ le´h? “What have you come for?”: keiq-sa´ means “business” or “activity”, so literally the phrase means Question 2

“with what business” or “for what activity”. S1 Ba˘ ma-pye-hma bma®pv\m˙a (enrta) Do you enjoy being

The suffix -p’e´h/-beh means “only, just”; compare: (ne-ya´-da) ep¥a\la;" (living) in Burma? A˘ leh- la-ba-deh. Alv\ lapåty\" I have come for a pyaw-la´?

visit. or Ba˘ ma-pye-hma bma®pv\m˙a enrta Do you enjoy being

A˘ leh-be´h la-ba- Alv\p´ lapåty\" I have just come for (ne-ya´-da) ep¥a\r´.la;" (living) in Burma? deh. a visit. pyaw-ye´h-la´? The suffix -p’o´ /- b o´ means “to, in order to”. See the examples S2 H ouq-ke´h. hut\k´." ep¥a\påty\" Yes, I do. above. Pyaw-ba-deh. or H ouq-ke´h. Theiq hut\k´." qip\ Yes, I enjoy it very

pyaw-ba-deh. ep¥a\påty\" much. or A˘ ya´n Arm\; ep¥a\påty\" I enjoy it hugely. pyaw-ba-deh.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

102 Burmese By Ear Unit 9: Your visit to Burma 103 Question 3 H ouq-ke´h, ne´h- hut\k´.' n´n´ p¨påty\" Yes, it’s a bit hot.

bma®pv\m˙a enrta S1 Ba˘ ma-pye-hma How do you find living ´ By\lui enql´" neh pu-ba-deh.

ne-ya´-da beh-lo in Burma? H ouq-ke´h, theiq hut\k´.' qip\ p¨påty\" Yes, it’s very hot.

ne-dha˘ le´h? pu-ba-deh.

´ ekac\;påty\" S2 Kaun-ba-deh. It’s good. H ouq-ke´h, a˘ ya´n hut\k´.' Arm\; Yes, it’s stupen- ep¥a\påty\" or Pyaw-ba-deh. I’m having a good time. pu-ba-deh. p¨påty\" dously hot.

Theiq ma˘ pu-ba- qip\ mp¨påB¨;" It’s not very hot.

New words bu´.

´ ´ ekac\;ekac\;

kaun-gaun well Ne-lo´ kau´n-ba- enlui≥ ekac\;påty\" It’s good to live in. s’o´-deh Sui;ty\ to be bad

ep¥a\ty\ deh. pyaw-deh to enjoy oneself, have a A˘ ne-daw-ba-be´h Aeneta\påp´" It’s just about right. good time Caiq-pa-deh. ’kik\påty\" I like it. Notes

Ne-ya´-da “staying, living, the stay”, from ne-deh “to stay, to live”. New words Compare yauq-ne-da “arriving” in Lesson 9.3, and te´h-ya´ -da ya-dhi-u´-du´ raq^Utu climate, weather

“staying” in Lesson 9.6. a˘ ne-daw Aeneta\ just right (“living + suitable”)

Pyaw-ye´h-la´? “Do you enjoy it? Are you enjoying yourself?” A

variant of Pyaw-dha˘ la´? and Pyaw-la?, giving a slightly more Note animated flavour to the question, suggesting “Are you really Ne-lo´ kau´n-ba-deh Literally “Live-ing is good.” -lo´ is a suffix that enjoying yourself? (I do hope you are or I can hardly believe has several functions, and one of them is similar to English “-

that you are)”. ing”. Beh-lo ne-dha˘ le´h? “What is it like? How do you find it?”. Literally “How does it stay?” REVIEW FOR UNIT 9: YOUR VISIT TO BURMA, PART 2 (LESSONS 9.5 TO 9.10) 9.10. TOPIC 7: DON’T YOU FIND IT HOT? Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 Side B. Questions

Pu-deh-naw? p¨ty\ena\" It’s hot isn’t it? Review Dialogue

´ Ma˘ pu-bu´-la? mp¨B¨;la;" Isn’t it too hot for S1 is is a Burmese man, and S2 a foreign woman. She has just said you? something in Burmese, so S1 says –

bma®pv\m˙a p¨ty\ena\"

Ba˘ ma-pye-hma It’s hot in Burma S1 Ha!Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ ha' bmaska; Hey! So you can pu-deh-naw? isn’t it? pya´w-daq-pa- e®patt\påkla;" speak Burmese!

raq^Utu mp¨B¨;la;"

Y a-dhi-u´-du´ Isn’t the climate too ga˘ la´?

´ ´

ma˘ pu-bu-la? hot for you? S2 H ouq-ke´h, ne´h- hut\k´." Yes, I can speak a

´ Answers ne´h pyaw-daq- n´n´e®patt\påty\" bit. hut\k´.' p¨påty\" H ouq-ke´h, pu-ba- Yes, it is hot. pa-deh. deh.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 104 Burmese By Ear Unit 10: Asking names and ages 105

S1 Beh nain-ngan- By\Nuic\cMk latal´" What country do where in English you would say “you” or “yours”. For example, ga´ la-da-le´h? Aemrikn\kla;" you come from? if you wanted to say “Is this your car?” in Burmese, and you

A˘ merı´-kan-ga´- Are you from were talking to someone called Tin Maung, you’d say “Is this Tin

la´? America? Maung’s car?”. S2 Ma˘ houq-pa-bu´. mhut\påB¨;" No, In-ga˘ lan-ga´ la- Agçln\k lapåty\" I come from Eng- Most Burmese names are made up of two syllables; e.g. tc\l˙ ba-deh. land. Tin Hla´ Tin Hla

®msin\

S1 Ba˘ ma-pye ba- bma®pv\ Bakisßn´≥ What has brought Mya´ Sein Mya Sein

´ ´ qn\;Ë;

keiq-sa´-ne´h la- lal´" you to Burma? Than U Than Oo

le´h? A˘ leh Alv\qk\qk\ Are you here just Some names have three syllables; e.g.

´ tc\emac\wc\;

theq-theq la-da- latala;" for a visit? Tin Maun Wın Tin Maung Win

´ Kc\sn\;N∑y\

la´? K’in San Nweh Khin San Nweh

´ lOic\wc\;eS∑ S2 Ma˘ houq-pa-bu´. mhut\påB¨;" d^m˙a No, I came to work HlainWın S’we Hlaing Win Swe Di-hma a˘ louq Alup\ lup\Pui≥ here. Some two-syllable names have one of the syllables doubled to louq-p’o´ la-ba- lapåty\" make up three in all: ´I ´I K’in AiAiKc\ I I Khin

deh. emac\emac\V∑n\≥

S1 Aw. A˘ louq-ne´h eAa\" Alup\n´≥ Oh. So it was your Maun Maun Nyu´n Maung Maung Nyunt

´ ´ ´ qc\;qc\eA; la-da-go´. latakui;" job that brought Thın Thın E Thin Thin Aye Ba˘ ma-pye-hma bma®pv\m˙a enrta you here. How do Less commonly, you come across people with names that have

ne-ya´-da beh-lo By\lui enl´" you find living in four syllables, like –

´ emac\emac\sui;tc\.

ne-le´h? Pyaw- ep¥a\r´.la;" Burma? Do you Maun Maun So Tı´n Maung Maung Soe Tint ye´h-la´? enjoy it? or only one syllable, like –

l˙ S2 A˘ ya´n pyaw-ba- Arm\; ep¥a\påty\" I’m enjoying it Hla´ Hla deh. hugely.

S1 Di-ga´ ya-dhi-u´-du´ d^k raq^Utu Don’t you find the Most of the name elements are words that mean something

´ ma˘ pu-bu´-la? mp¨B¨;la;" climate here is too precious or desirable; e.g.

hot? Hla´ l˙ pretty, attractive ´ qn\; S2 Theiq ma˘ pu-ba- qip\ mp¨påB¨;" It’s not very hot. Than a million (for good fortune)

®m bu´. Aeneta\påp´" It’s just right. Mya´ emerald

sin\

A˘ ne-daw-ba- Sein diamond

´ wc\; be´h. Wın radiant K’in Kc\ lovable, loving

UNIT 10. ASKING NAMES AND AGES Maun emac\ younger brother

Thın´ qc\; fragrant 10.1. BURMESE NAMES E´ eA; cool, calm

Names are more important in Burmese society than they are in By tradition Burmese names are not family names. You the West because in Burmese you often use a person’s name could find a man called Htay Maung, with a wife called Win Swe

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

106 Burmese By Ear Unit 10: Asking names and ages 107 Myint, and one child called Cho Zin Nwe and another called S1 Albert-la´? Albert-la;" (Did you say) Than Tut. None of the names has any relationship to the others: Albert? they’re all individual. S2 H ouq-pa-deh. hut\påty\" Yes. Albert.

Here and there you may meet a woman who has added her Albert-ba. Albert-på" How about you: husband’s name to her own to avoid confusion when living or Meiq-s’we-ga´w? — mit\eS∑eka _ what is your

travelling abroad: ambassadors’ wives often find it convenient to nan-meh beh-lo namv\ By\lui name? do this (hence “Madame Hla Maung” etc). And some parents k’aw-dha˘ le´h? eKÅql´" add elements of their own names to their children’s names. But S1 Ca˘ na´w nan-meh-ga´ k¥ena\. namv\k My name is Ko families that do this are the exception. There are also some Ko Ze-ya´-ba. kuiezy¥på" Zeyya (man Burmese who use Western names like “Kenneth”, “Gladys” and speaking)

so on, either as nicknames (often originating in schooldays), or to or Ca˘ ma´ nan-meh-ga´ k¥m namv\k My name is Ma Ma make life easier for Western friends. Ma Ma E´-ba. mamaeA;på" Aye (woman

speaking) It is exceptional to use someone’s name on its own: S2 Twe´-ya´-da wu´n-tha- et∑>rta I am happy to have

normally people use a prefix in front of it – words like Mr and ba-deh. wm\;qapåty\" met you.

´ Mrs and Colonel and Dr. The only people you wouldn’t use S1 Ca˘ naw-le´h wun-tha- k¥ena\l´ I am happy too

prefixes for are small children, or close friends of your own age. ba-deh. wm\;qapåty\" (man speaking).

´ If you use an unprefixed name for anyone else it sounds quite or Ca˘ ma´-le´h wun-tha- k¥ml´ I am happy too

offensive. The two commonest prefixes are – ba-deh. wm\;qapåty\" (woman speaking). U´ Ë; U (for men; from the word meaning “uncle”) Daw edÅ Daw (for women; from the word for “aunt”) New words Others you may meet are – nan-meh namv\ name kui Ko Ko (for younger men; from “brother”) beh-lo By\lui how m Ma´ Ma (for younger women; from “sister”) k aw-deh eKÅty\ to call, to be called emac\ ’ Maun Maung (for boys; from “younger meiq-s’we mit\eS∑ friend (also used for “you”) brother”) ca˘ naw kÁn\eta\ often I (man speaking) S’a˘ ya Sra Teacher (male) written k¥ena\ Sram

S’a˘ ya-ma´ Teacher (female) ca˘ na´w kÁn\eta\. often my (man speaking) Bo-hmu´ buil\mØ; Major written k¥ena\. buil\K¥op\ Bo-jouq General ca˘ ma´ kÁn\m often I, my (woman speaking) written k¥m 10.2–10.3–10.4–10.5. INTRODUCING YOURSELF twe´-deh et∑>ty\ to meet twe´-ya´-da et∑>rta being able to meet, having

S1 Nan-meh beh-lo nMmv\ By\lui What is your name? the opportunity to meet

´ eKÅql´" k’aw-dha˘ leh? wu´n-tha- wm\;qaty\ to be happy S2 Albert-ba. Albert-på" Albert.

-lui≥ deh or Albert-lo´ k’aw-ba- Albert It’s Albert. -le´h -l´ also deh. eKÅpåty\"

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 108 Burmese By Ear Unit 10: Asking names and ages 109

Notes Among friends and family people often use kin terms for

Nan-meh — beh-lo — k’aw-dha˘ le´h? “What is your name?” Liter- “I” – the words for “Father”, “Sister” etc. Children and young

´ ´

ally: Name – how – is called? Note the parallel with Eh-da — women often use their names; e.g. a girl named Ma´ Sa´n San

Ba˘ ma-lo — beh-lo — k’aw-dha˘ le´h? “What is that called in might say

´ ´ Burmese?” See 3.5. Sa´n San-leh sm\;sm\;l´ ’kik\påty\" I like it too. Albert-ba. The name with the polite suffix. caiq-pa-deh. Albert-lo´ — k’aw-ba-deh. “It’s Albert.” Literally: Albert-end-of- Literally: “San San likes it too.”

quote – is called. A variant answer. For -lo´ see 3.5. This is the second gender-specific pair of words you’ve met: Albert-la´? “Did you say ‘Albert’? Was that ‘Albert’?” For men always say ca˘ naw and k’in-bya, and women always say checking questions see 3.3. ca˘ ma´ and shin (for the polite tags see Lesson 2.7). H ouq-pa-deh. “It is so. That’s right. Yes.” Similar to H ouq-ke´h. ca˘ na´w nan-meh “my name (male speaker)”. Most possessives in

Meiq-s’we “friend”. Burmese uses a range of words for “you” Burmese simply precede the noun possessed without change;

´ and “your”. The most frequent are (a) kin terms, such as U-le´ e.g.

“uncle”, Daw-daw “aunt”, etc (for more see 7.1 and 7.2); (b) a Bo-jouq + daq-poun = Bo-jouq daq-poun title such as S’a˘ ya-ma´ “teacher”, Than-a˘ maq-cı ´“Ambassador”; General + photograph = The General’s photograph

´ (see 10.1); or, as a fallback, the word used above: Meiq-s’we U´ Hla´ + ouq-t’ouq = U Hla´ ouq-t’ouq

“friend”. U Hla + hat = U Hla’s hat

´ ´ Meiq-s’we-ga´w “How about you?” The suffix -kaw/-ga w carries a meaning like “how about …?” and has the effect of repeating Ca˘ ma´ + nan-meh = Ca˘ ma´ nan-meh

a previous question about a new topic; e.g. I + name = My name S1 Ne-kau´n-deh- enekac\;ty\ena\" You’re well, I hope? naw? However, if the first noun (the possessor) ends in a low tone

S2 H ouq-ke´h. Ne- hut\k´." Yes, I am. syllable, that syllable is given a creaky tone to mark posses-

kau´n-ba-deh. enekac\;påty\" sion: S1 George-ga´w? George-eka" How about George? S’a˘ ya + daq-poun = S’a˘ ya´ daq-poun (understand: is he well too?) Teacher + photograph = Teacher’s photograph ca˘ naw “I (male speaker)” and ca˘ ma´ “I (female speaker)”. The Ko Tin + ouq-t’ouq = Ko Tı´n ouq-t’ouq commonest terms for “I”. As you have seen, Burmese nor- Ko Tin + hat = Ko Tin’s hat mally omits words for “you” and “I”, but when there is a change of subject, as here (“I’m happy too – as well as you”), Ca˘ naw + nan-meh = Ca˘ na´w nan-meh you need to put one in to show who you are talking about. I + name = My name Careful speakers say cun-daw and cun-ma´ , but the slightly shortened forms used above are more common. Originally Ca˘ na´ w nan-meh-ga´ “my name”. The suffix -ka´ /- g a´ draws atten- the words meant “your honoured servant” and “your female tion to a new subject in the conversation. It has an effect like servant” respectively. “on the other hand” or “as for”, but is much weaker than those phrases are in English.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

110 Burmese By Ear Unit 10: Asking names and ages 111 twe´ -ya´ -da “being able to meet, having the opportunity to meet” A˘ theq thou´n-zeh shı´-bi. “I am 30 years old.” The round number

from twe´ -deh “to meet”. Compare yauq-ne-da “arriving” in rule applies to counting years as it does to counting kyats and 9.3, te´h-ya´-da “staying” 9.6, ne-ya´-da “staying, living, the stay” almost everything else. When the number ends in a zero, you

9.9. omit the word hniq “year.” For counting kyats see 1.11. For

´ wu´n-tha-ba-deh “I am happy.” Literally “my stomach (wun) is the verb suffix -bi see Verb Paradigms in Appendix 3 (outline

pleasant.” grammar). Twe´ -ya´ -da wu´n-tha-ba-deh “I am happy to have met you.”

Literally “At meeting I am happy.” REVIEW FOR UNIT 10:

Ca˘ naw-le´h wun-tha-ba-deh. “I am happy too.” Literally “I-too – ASKING ABOUT NAMES AND AGES

be-happy” The suffix -le´h means “also, too, as well”; e.g. Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4 S1 Di-ne´ a´-deh- d^en≥ Aa;ty\ena\" You are free today, Side B. naw? aren’t you?

S2 H ouq-ke´h. hut\k´." Yes. Review Dialogue

´ Neq-p’an-le´h a- nk\Pn\l´ Aa;påty\" And I’m free Scene: A train in Burma. S1 is a young woman visiting Burma and S2 ba-deh. tomorrow as well. is young Burmese man. Imagine that they have struck up a conversation while travelling. The young man says –

10.6. HOW OLD ARE YOU? S2 Nan-meh beh-lo namv\ By\lui What’s your name k’aw-dha˘ le´h, eKÅql´ Kc\b¥a" (+ tag)?

S1 A˘ theq beh-lauq Aqk\ By\elak\ How old are you? K’in-bya?

shı´-bi-le´h? r˙i®p^l´" S1 Lucy-lo´ k’aw-ba- Lucy-lui≥ eKÅpåty\" My name is Lucy.

S2 A˘ theq thou´n-ze´h Aqk\ quM;Sy\. quM;N˙s\ I am 33 years old. deh.

thou´n-hniq shı´- r˙i®p^" S2 Goofy-la? Goofy-la;" Is that Goofy?

bi. S1 Ma˘ houq-pa-bu´. mhut\påB¨;" Lucy- No: Lucy.

or A˘ theq thou´n-zeh Aqk\ quM;Sy\ r˙i®p^" I am 30 years old. Lucy-ba. på"

shı´-bi. S2 Aw. Lucy-la´? eAa\" Lucy-la;" Oh. It’s Lucy is it? Twe´-ya´-da wu´n- et∑>rta I’m happy to have New words tha-ba-deh, wm\;qapåty\ Lucy" met you Lucy.

a˘ theq Aqk\ age Lucy.

´ hniq N˙s\ year S1 Ca˘ ma´-le´h wun- k¥ml´ wm\;qapåty\ And I’m happy too tha-ba-deh, r˙c\" (+ tag). How

Notes Shin. A˘ ko- Akuieka' namv\ about you?

´ A˘ theq — beh-lauq — shı´-bi-leh? “How old are you?” Literally: ga´w? — nan- By\lui eKÅql´" What’s your

“Age – how much – have?” meh beh-lo name?

´ ´ A˘ theq — thoun-ze´ h thoun-hniq — shı´-bi. “I am 33 years old.” k’aw-dha˘ le´h?

Literally: “Age – 33 years – have.” Compare Ba˘ ma-pye yauq- S2 Ca˘ na´w nan-meh- k¥ena\. namv\k My name is San

´ ne-da thoun-hniq shı´-bi. “I’ve been in Burma for three years” ga´ Sa´n Maun- sm\;emac\på" Maung. (9.3, 9.4). ba.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

112 Burmese By Ear Unit 11: Asking about work 113

S1 T’aq-pya´w-ba- Tp\e®papåAuM;" Could you say that S2 S’a˘ ya-wun louq- Srawn\ lup\enpåty\" I amworking as a

ou´n. again? ne-ba-deh. U Ë;emac\emac\eka doctor. How

S2 Sa´n Maun-ba. sm\;emac\på" San Maung. Maun Maun- Alup\lup\enla;" about you: are

´ ´

S1 Ko Sa´n Maun-la? kuism\;emac\la;" It’s Ko San Maung gaw? — a˘ louq you working? is it? louq-ne-la´? S2 H ouq-pa-deh. hut\påty\" Lucy-k Yes. You speak S1 H ouq-ke´h. Louq- hut\k´." lup\enpåty\" Yes, I am.

Lucy-ga´ Ba˘ ma bmaska; e®pata Burmese very ne-ba-deh.

sa˘ ga´ pyaw-da qip\ekac\;tap´" well. S2 Beh-hma louq- By\m˙a lup\ql´" Where do you

theiq kau´n-da- tha˘ leh? work?

be´h. S1 Le-yin-youn-hma elya√\RuM;m˙a I work at an airline

S1 Theiq ma˘ pya´w- qip\ I can’t say much yet louq-pa-deh. lup\påty\" office.

´ daq-the´-ba-bu, me®patt\eq;påB¨; (+ tag). Shin. r˙c\" New words

S2 A˘ theq beh-lauq Aqk\ By\elak\ How old are you? a˘ louq louq-teh Alup\ lup\ty\ to work, to do a job

shı´-bi-le´h? r˙i®p^l´" a˘ louq louq-pa-deh Alup\ lup\påty\ He/she works, has S1 Hna˘ s’e´h thou´n- N˙s\Sy\. quM;N˙s\ r˙i®p^" I’m 23. a job.

hniq shı´-bi. Ko kuism\;emac\eka' How about you? a˘ louq louq-ne-ba-deh Alup\ lup\enpåty\ He/she is working.

´ Sa´n Maun-gaw? Aqk\ By\elak\ How old are you?

— a˘ theq beh- r˙i®p^l´" Words for occupations and workplaces lauq shı´-bi-le´h? The following are the words introduced on the tape.

S2 Ca˘ naw-ga´ a˘ theq k¥ena\k Aqk\ 30 I’m 30 (+ tag). da˘ rain-ba dRuic\Ba driver thou´n-zeh shı´- r˙i®p^ Kc\b¥a" in-jin-ni-ya Ac\g¥c\n^ya engineer bi, K’in-bya. koun-dheh kun\qv\ businessman (“goods +

dealer”)

UNIT 11. ASKING ABOUT WORK cau´n-s’a˘ ya ek¥ac\;Sra teacher (“school + teacher”) cau´n-s’a˘ ya-ma´ ek¥ac\;Sram teacher (“school + teacher + 11.1–11.2. DO YOU HAVE A JOB? WHERE DO YOU WORK? female”)

s’a˘ ya-wun Srawn\ doctor (“teacher + burden”)

S1 A˘ louq louq-ne- Alup\ lup\enqla;" Are you working? a˘ so´-ya´ a˘ hmu´- Asui;rAmOTm\; civil servant (“government +

dha˘ la´? dan affairs + bear, carry”) S2 H ouq-ke´h. Louq- hut\k´." lup\enpåty\" Yes, I am. le-yin-you´n elya√\RuM; airline office (“air-vehicle + ne-ba-deh. office”)

S1 Ba a˘ louq louq- Ba Alup\ What job are you ban-daiq B%\tuik\ bank (“bank building”) ne-dha˘ le´h? lup\enql´" doing? koun-daiq kun\tuik\ department store (“goods building”) sa-daiq satuik\ post office (“letter building”) poun-hneiq- puMN˙ip\tuik\ printing press (“image + taiq impress + building”)

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 114 Burmese By Ear Unit 11: Asking about work 115

teacher: school teacher (male) > teq-ka˘ tho s’a˘ ya-ma´

The following are additional words for occupations you may cau´n-s’a˘ ya ek¥ac\;Sra" tk˚quil\Sram"

´ find useful (female) > cau´n-s’a˘ ya-ma´ trishaw pedaller > s’aiq-ka-

´ accountant > sa˘ yın-gain lawyer > she´-ne er˙>en ek¥ac\;Sram" university dha˘ ma´Suik\ka;qma;

sarc\;kuic\ mn\eng¥a

manager > man-ne-ja teacher (male) > teq-ka˘ tho writer, author (male) > sa-ye´-

´ ´

agent, middle-man > pwe´h-za market stall-holder > ze-dheh s’a˘ ya tk˚quil\Sra" (female) > s’a˘ ya saer;Sra" (female) > p∑´sa; eZ;qv\ sa-ye´-s’a˘ ya-ma´ saer;Sram" architect > bı´-thu´-ka piquka missionary (male) > tha-dha˘ na- army officer > siq-bo ss\buil\ byu´ s’a˘ ya qaqna‘pSra Notes artist > ba˘ ji-s’a˘ ya pn\;K¥^Sra /bg¥^- missionary (female) > tha- A˘ louq louq-ne-ba-deh “He/she is working.” The suffix -ne is

/ dha˘ na-byu´ s’a˘ ya-ma´ attached to a verb to express temporary action; e.g. –

´ qaqna‘pSram author,writer (male) > sa-ye- Ba meq-ga˘ zın´ Ba mg©zc\; Pt\ql´" What magazine do

saer;Sra" ´

s’a˘ ya (female) > monk: Buddhist monk > p’oun-jı p’aq-tha˘ le´h? you read?

´ saer;Sram" Bun\;Âk^; sa-ye-s’a˘ ya-ma´ 9 novice monk > ko- Ba meq-ga˘ zın´ Ba mg©zc\; What magazine are

kuirc\ businessman > koun-dheh yin p aq-ne-dha˘ le´h? Pt\enql´" you reading?

kun\qv\ ’ ´

nun: Buddhist nun > meh-thi-la´- Compare Beh-hma te´h-ne-dha˘ leh? “Where are you staying?” in

clerk > sa˘ ye´saer; yin my\q^lrc\ 9.5. dentist > thwa´-s’a˘ ya-wun nurse (male) > naq-s nt\s\"

q∑a;Srawn\ (female) > naq-s-ma´ nt\s\m" 11.3. NOT IN WORK

´ ´ Director > hnyun-ca´-ye-hmu thu-na-byu´ s’a˘ ya-ma´

VWn\Âka;er;mØ; q¨na‘pSram"

9 Deputy Direc- S1 A˘ louq louq-ne- Alup\ lup\enqla;" Are you working?

´ ´ ´ ´ tor > du´-hnyun-ca-ye-hmu, peasant, farmer > leh-dha˘ ma ˘ ´

duVWn\Âka;er;mØ; ly\qma; dhala?

9 Assistant S2 Ma˘ louq-pa-bu´. mlup\påB¨;" No.

Director > leq-t’auq-hnyun-ca´- photographer > daq-poun-s’a˘ ya Ein-hmu´ keiq-sa´ Aim\mOkisß lup\påty\" I look after the

´ ´ Dåt\puMSra

ye-hmu louq-pa-deh. house.

lk\eTak\VWn\Âka;er;mØ; ´ r´Arar˙i

policeman > yeh-a˘ ya-shı´ or Ma˘ louq-ta´w-ba- mlup\eta.påB¨;" Not any longer.

Ay\d^ta ´ editor > eh-di-ta reporter > tha˘ dın-dauq bu´. pc\sc\ y¨luik\®p^" I am retired.

´ wn\Tm\; qtc\;eTak\

employee > wun-dan Pin-sin yu-laiq-

´ ´ ´

´ qeBçaqa; farmer, peasant > leh-dha˘ ma sailor > thın-baw-dha pi.

ly\qma; ´

sales assistant > kaun-ta-sa˘ ye or Ma˘ louq-the´-ba- mlup\eq;påB¨;" Not yet.

´ ekac\tasaer; film actor > youq-shin mın-dha bu´. ek¥ac\; I am attending

Rup\r˙c\mc\;qa;" ´saer;

actress > youq- secretary > sa˘ ye Cau´n teq-ne-ba- tk\enpåty\" school.

´ ´ Rup\r˙c\mc\;qm^;" Suic\r˙c\

shin mın-dha˘ mı shopkeeper > s’ain-shin deh.

guide: tourist guide > e´h-la´n- singer > a˘ s’o-daw ASuieta\

hnyun Ev\.lm\;VWn\ soldier > siq-tha´ss\qa; New words

´ AamKM ´ insurance > a-ma´-gan student (male) > caun-dha ein-hmu´-keiq-sa´ Aim\mOkisß housework (“house

´ labourer > a˘ louq-tha˘ ma´ ek¥ac\;qa;" (female) > caun- affairs activity”) Alup\qma; dhu ek¥ac\;q¨"

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 116 Burmese By Ear Unit 11: Asking about work 117

A˘ louq ma˘ louq-pa- Alup\ mlup\påB¨;" He doesn’t work. REVIEW FOR UNIT 11: ASKING ABOUT WORK bu´. Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4

A˘ louq ma˘ louq- Alup\ mlup\eta.påB¨;" He doesn’t work Side B. ta´w-ba-bu´. any more. He no longer works. Review Dialogue

A˘ louq ma˘ louq- Alup\ mlup\eq;påB¨;" He doesn’t work Scene: A café in Rangoon. S2 is a young man visiting Burma, who

´ the´-ba-bu. yet. He hasn’t yet happens to be sharing a table with S1, a Burmese woman named Daw taken a job. Saw Yin, and her husband and daughter. They get talking, and at one pin-sin pc\sc\ pension, retirement point S1 asks – bma®pv\ Bakisßn´≥ pin-sin yu-deh pc\sc\ y¨ty\ to take a pension, to S1 Ba˘ ma-pye ba- What brought you

retire keiq-sa´-ne´h la- lal´ r˙c\" to Burma? Pin-sin yu-laiq-pi. pc\sc\ y¨luik\®p^ I have taken my le´h, Shin? pension. I am S2 A˘ louq-ne´h la-ba- Alup\n´≥ lapåty\ I came with my job retired. deh, K’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" (+ tag).

eAa\" Ba Alup\

teq-teh tk\ty\ to go up to, attend S1 Aw. Ba a˘ louq Oh. What job are

´ lup\enql´" cau´n teq-teh ek¥ac\; tk\ty\" to attend school louq-ne-dha˘ leh? you doing? S2 Ban-daiq-hma B%\tuik\m˙a I work in a bank. Notes louq-pa-deh. lup\påty\"

eAa\' B%\tuik\m˙ala;"

A˘ louq ma˘ louq-ta´ w-ba-bu´. “He doesn’t work any more. He no S1 Aw. Ban-daiq- Oh. In a bank is it?

longer works.” The suffix -ta´ w/-da´ w with a negated verb con- hma-la´?

veys the meaning “no longer, not any more, not after all”. S2 Daw Sa´w Yin- edÅesarc\eka' How about you?

´ Alup\ lup\enqla;" ´

Compare Ma˘ sı-da´ ´ w-ba-bu = “I won’t ride (in your taxi) after gaw? — a˘ louq Are you working?

all” in 5.6 and Ma˘ shı´-da´w-ba-bu´. “I haven’t any any more. I no louq-ne-dha˘ la? longer have any” in 6.3. S1 Ma˘ louq-pa-bu´, mlup\påB¨; r˙c\" No I’m not (+ tag).

Aim\mOkisß lup\påty\" ´

A˘ louq ma˘ louq-the´-ba-bu. “He doesn’t work yet. He hasn’t yet Shin. Ein-hmu´- I look after the

´ taken a job.” The suffix -the´/-dhe with a negated verb conveys keiq-sa´ louq-pa- (indicating) household. She

Ë;eza\wc\;k ´

the meaning “not yet”. Compare ma˘ pya´ w-daq-the´-ba-bu “I deh. indicates her hus-

´ Srawn\på"∑ ´

can’t speak yet” in 9.1 and ma˘ ca-dhe´-ba-bu “It hasn’t been long (indicating) U band. U Zaw Win

yet, it’s not long so far” in 9.4. Zaw Wın-ga´ ´ is a doctor.

´ Pin-sin. A common variant for this word is a˘ nyeın-za´ A®cim\;sa; “a s’a˘ ya-wun-ba.

life of peace” or “one who lives in peace”. S2 Aw. S’a˘ ya-wun- eAa\' Srawn\la;" Oh. So he’s a

Pin-sin yu-laiq-pi “I have taken my pension”. The verb suffix la´? qm^;eka' doctor. How

´ -laiq-pi conveys the meaning that the action has been com- Tha˘ mı-ga´ w? — Alup\ lup\enqla;" about your

pleted. a˘ louq louq-ne- daughter? dha˘ la´? Is she working?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 118 Burmese By Ear Unit 12: Asking about family 119

S1 A˘ louq ma˘ louq- Alup\ mlup\eq;påB¨;" Not yet. Variants

´ Aim\eTac\n´≥la;"

the´-ba-bu. ek¥ac\; She’s at school. Ein-daun-ne´h-la? Are you married? Cau´n teq-ne-ba- tk\enpåty\" (“household-with-

deh. question”)

´ Yı-za´ shı´-ba-deh. rv\;sa; r˙ipåty\ I have a girlfriend/ boyfriend UNIT 12: ASKING ABOUT FAMILY New words This Unit covers questions on marriage and children. There ein-daun Aim\eTac\ household wasn’t room on the tape to cover talk about parents and brothers ein-daun shı´-deh Aim\eTac\ r˙ity\ to be married (“to and sisters as well, but we’ve added a few words and phrases for have a house- those topics here in the booklet. You’ll find them set out at the hold”) end of this Unit. a˘ pyo Ap¥oi a spinster, an un- married woman or

12.1. ARE YOU MARRIED? girl

a˘ pyo-jı´ Ap¥oiÂk^; an old spinster

´ l¨p¥oiÂk^;

S1 Ein-daun shı´- Aim\eTac\ r˙iqla;" Are you married? lu-byo-jı an old bachelor

´ k∑´ty\ k∑´q∑a;ty\

dha˘ la´? kweh-deh or or to split, separate,

S2 Shı´-ba-deh. r˙ipåty\" Yes, I am. kwe´h-dhwa-deh divorce

´ ´ k∑´q∑a;på®p^"

or Ma˘ shı´-ba-bu´. mr˙ipåB¨;" No, kweh-dhwa-ba-bi We have split up, Lu-byo-jı-ba.´ l¨p¥oiÂk^;på" I’m an old separated. I am

bachelor. divorced.

´ SuM;ty\ SuM;q∑a;ty\

or Ma˘ shı´-ba-bu´. mr˙ipåB¨;" No, s’oun-deh or or to come to an end,

´ ´

A˘ pyo-jı-ba.´ Ap¥oiÂk^;på" I’m an old s’oun-dhwa-deh to die

spinster. s’ou´n-dhwa-ba-bi SuM;q∑a;på®p^" S/he has died.

´ ´ Am¥oi;qm^; or Ma˘ shı´-da´w-ba-bu´. mr˙ieta.påB¨;" No. a˘ myo-tha˘ mı woman, lady; wife

´ ´ Am¥oi;qa; ´

Kwe´-dhwa-ba-bi. k∑´q∑a;på®p^" We have split up. a˘ myo-tha man, gentleman;

or Ma˘ shı´-da´w-ba-bu´. mr˙ieta.påB¨;" No. husband

A˘ myo-dha˘ mı´ Am¥oi;qm^; My wife has died. Notes

s’ou´n-dhwa-ba-bi. SuM;q∑a;på®p^" Ein-daun ma˘ shI´-da´ w-ba-bu “I am not married any longer”. For

or Ma˘ shı´-da´w-ba-bu´. mr˙ieta.påB¨;" No. the suffix -ta´ w/-da´ w with negated verbs, meaning “no longer,

´ ´

A˘ myo´-dha s’oun- Am¥oi;qa; My husband has not any more”, see 5.6, 6.3, 11.3.

dhwa´-ba-bi. SuM;q∑a;på®p^" died. Ein-daun ca´ -bi-la? “Are you (is he) married yet?” A question S1 Ein-daun ca´-bi-la´? Aim\eTac\ k¥®p^la;" Are you married more appropriate to persons in their twenties, the age when

yet? people usually get married. The alternative Ein-daun shı´-

S2 H ouq-ke´h. Ca´-bi. hut\k´.' k¥®p^" Yes, I am. dha˘ la´? “Are you (is he) married?” can be used for older people

´ or Ma˘ ca´-dhe´-ba-bu. mk¥eq;påB¨;" No, not yet. as well. Notice the different answers to the two questions:

Question Answer Yes Answer No

´ ´ Ein-daun ca´-bi-la´? H ouq-ke´h. Ca´-bi. Ma˘ ca´-dhe-ba-bu.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

120 Burmese By Ear Unit 12: Asking about family 121

´ ´

Is he married yet? Yes, he is. No, not yet. S1 Tha-la? Tha˘ mı-´ qa;la;' qm^;la;" Is it a son or a

la´? daughter?

´ ´ Ein-daun shı´-dha˘ la´? H ouq-ke´h. Shı´-ba- Ma˘ shı´-ba-bu. S2 Tha-ba. qa;på" It’s a son.

deh. or Is he married? Yes, he is. No, he’s not. S2 Nga´-yauq shı´-ba- cå;eyak\ r˙ipåty\" I have five.

For the verb suffix -bi/-pi see Verb Paradigms in Appendix 3 deh.

(outline grammar). S1 Tha´-de-la? qa;et∑la;' Are they sons or

´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´

Kweh-deh or kweh-dhwa-deh, s’oun-deh or s’oun-dhwa-deh. The Tha˘ mı-de-la´ ? qm^;et∑la;" daughters?

use of -dhwa (“to go”) adds a suggestion of movement: “split S2 Tha´ thoun-yauq, qa; quM;eyak\" Three sons and two

and go, get separated”, “end and go, come to an end”. tha˘ mı´hna˘ yauq. qm^; N˙s\eyak\" daughters.

Compare koun-dhwa´-deh “to be all gone, sold out” in 4.3.

´ ´ ´

A˘ myo-tha and a˘ myo-tha˘ mı ´are fairly respectful, almost neutral New words terms for husband and wife, which is why we teach them k’a˘ le´ kel; child

here. Other terms you may meet are – -yauq -eyak\ countword for people:

´ k’in-bun and za˘ nı´ Kc\p∑n\;' zn^; elevated, deferential, see note

sometimes pretentious -de or sometimes -dwe -et∑ plural suffix: see note

yauq-ca´and eyak\¥a;' min\;m casual, verging on the Variant

´ ´ ´

meın-ma´ ´ disrespectful; also = Meın-k’a˘ le-la? min\;kel;la;' Is it a girl or a boy?

´ ´ man, male and woman, Y auq-ca´-le-la? eyak¥\a;el;la;"

female You will find a list of words for other relatives in the Topical lin and ma˘ ya´ lc\' mya; contemptuous, except in Vocabulary for kin terms.

some set compounds

like lin-ba-dha´ “stepson” Notes

´ K’a˘ le´ beh-hna˘ yauq shı´-dha˘ leh? “How many children do you

12.2. HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU HAVE? have?” The word -yauq is a countword for people. Examples:

meiq-s’we le´- mit\eS∑ el;eyak\ four friends

´ S1 K’a˘ le´ shı´-la? kel; r˙ila;" Do you have any yauq children? s’a˘ ya-wun Srawn\ N˙s\eyak\ two doctors

S2 H ouq-ke´h, shı´-ba- hut\k´." r˙ipåty\" Yes, I have. hna˘ yauq

deh. a˘ ko thou´n-yauq Akui quM;eyak\ three brothers

´ or Ma˘ shı´-ba-bu. mr˙ipåB¨;" No, I haven’t. tha˘ mı´ta˘ yauq qm^; ts\eyak\ one daughter

´ ´ or Ma˘ shı´-dhe´-ba-bu. mr˙ieq;påB¨;" No, I haven’t any tu-riq beh- t¨;rs\ By\N˙s\eyak\ how many tourists

yet. hna˘ yauq

S1 K’a˘ le´ beh-hna˘ yauq kel; By\N˙s\eyak\ How many children Compare other countwords in 6.5.

´ ´ ´ ´ shı´-dha˘ le´h? r˙iql´" do you have? Tha-la? Tha˘ mı-la? “Is it a son or a daughter?” This is the stan- S2 Ta˘ yauq shı´-ba- ts\eyak\ r˙ipåty\" I have one. dard pattern for questions taking the form “A or B?”. deh. Examples:

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

122 Burmese By Ear Unit 12: Asking about family 123

Kaw-p’i-la´? eka\P^la;' Tea or coffee? [noun]-a˘ cı [noun]-AÂk^; the older [noun], the

La˘ p’eq-ye-la´? lk\Pk\rv\la;" larger [noun]

Di-hma-la´? Eh- d^m˙ala;' A´d^m˙ala;" Here or there? [noun]-a˘ ngeh [noun]-Acy\ the younger [noun],

di-hma-la´? the smaller [noun]

´ Tha-dwe tha˘ mı-dwe´ “sons, daughters”. The suffix -de (sometimes [noun]-a˘ laq [noun]-Alt\ the middle [noun] (not pronounced -dwe) attached to a noun marks it as plural: practised on tape) meiq-s’we “friend” meiq-s’we-de “friends”

sa-eiq “envelope” sa-eiq-de “envelopes” Notes

´ ´ e´h-da “that” eh-da-de “those things” Beh-a˘ yweh shı´-bi-leh? “What age is he/she?” When asking about Note that Burmese does not use -de/-dwe in all the contexts children, people more often use beh-a˘ yweh “what size” than

where English uses a plural; e.g. where English uses “any” or a˘ theq beh-lauq “how old”. Compare A˘ theq beh-lauq shı´-bi-

“some”: le´h? “How old are you/is s/he?” in 10.6.

´ ´ Sa-eiq shı´-la´? “Do you have any envelopes?” Tha-ga´ shiq-hniq, tha˘ mı-ga´ c’auq-hniq shı´-bi “My son is 8 and my

And where the Burmese has a number and a countword: daughter is 6.” Notice the contrastive suffix -ka´ /- g a´: see the

P’a˘ lin hna˘ leiq pe´-ba. “Give me two rolls of film.” note in 10.5. Adding the suffix produces an effect similar to

´ ´ ´ Ma˘ shı´-dhe´-ba-bu “I haven’t any yet.” For -the/-dhe with a “my son on the one hand … and my daughter on the other negated verb meaning “not yet” compare the examples in 9.4, …”, but not so strong. 11.3, 12.1. REVIEW FOR UNIT 12: ASKING ABOUT FAMILY 12.3. HOW OLD ARE THE CHILDREN? Review dialogues are recorded in the Review Section, on Tape 4

Side B. K’a˘ le´ beh-a˘ yweh kel; By\AR∑y\ How old is your

Scene: The platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Imagine that a foreign shı´-bi-le´h? r˙i®p^l´" child? C’auq-hniq shı´-bi. e®Kak\N˙s\ r˙i®p^" She is six. visitor, a man in his 40s named Roland, has found a seat in a shady or, for more than one child spot. There’s a Burmese lady of about the same age there already,

whose name is Daw Aye Aye Shwe, and they get talking. This dialogue K’a˘ le´-de beh- kel;et∑ How old are your a˘ yweh-de shı´- By\AR∑y\et∑ r˙i®p^l´" children? is a part of their conversation.

Ein-daun shı- Aim\eTac\ r˙iqla;

bi-le´h? S1 ´ Are you married

dha˘ la´, Ro-lan? Roland"

Tha´-ga´ shiq-hniq, qa;k r˙s\N˙s\' qm^;k My son is eight, and Roland?

Ma˘ shı-ba-bu´. mr˙ipåB¨;"

tha˘ mı-ga´ ´ c’auq- e®Kak\N˙s\ r˙i®p^" my daughter is six. S2 ´ No. ´ l¨p¥oiÂk^;på"

hniq shı´-bi. Lu-byo-jı-ba. I’m an old

´ or Tha˘ mı-a´˘ cı-ga´ qm^;AÂk^;k 14-N˙s\" My older daughter bachelor.

Haha. ha ha"

s’e´h-le´-hniq, qm^;Acy\k 10-N˙s\ is 14, and my S1 Ha ha.

Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ bmaska; e®pata

tha˘ mı-a´˘ ngeh-ga´ r˙i®p^" younger daughter You speak ´ qip\ ekac\;påty\

s’eh-hniq shı´-bi. is 10. pyaw-da theiq Burmese very well ´ r˙c\" New words kaun-ba-deh (+ polite tag) a˘ yweh AR∑y\ size; age (of children) Shin

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

124 Burmese By Ear Unit 12: Asking about family 125

´ ´

S2 Ce-zu tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\" Thank you. S1 Tha˘ mı-ga´ ´ ein- qm^;k Aim\eTac\ The daughter hasn’t

Theiq ma˘ pya´w- qip\ I can’t say much daun ma˘ ca´-dhe- mk¥eq;påB¨;" got married yet.

´ ´

daq-the´-ba-bu. me®patt\eq;påB¨;" yet. ba-bu.

Daw E´ E Shwe- edÅeA;eA;eRWeka' How about you?

ga´w? Ein-daun Aim\eTac\ r˙iqla;" Are you married? UNIT 12 EXTENSION. shı´-dha˘ la´? PARENTS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS S1 H ouq-ke´h. Shı´- hut\k´.' r˙ipåty\" Yes I am.

ba-deh. The following words and phrases are not practised on the tape. S2 K’a˘ le´ beh- kel; By\N˙s\eyak\ How many children They are noted here for reference.

hna˘ yauq shı´- r˙iql´" do you have. S1 A˘ p’e-a˘ me shı´- AePAem r˙ieq;qla;" Are your parents

´ ´

dha˘ le´h? dhe-dha˘ la? still alive? (see S1 Thou´n-yauq shı´- quM;eyak\ r˙ipåty\" I have three. note)

ba-deh. S2 H ouq-ke´h. Shı´- hut\k´." r˙ipåty\" Yes, they are.

´ S2 Thou´n-yauq-la? quM;eyak\la;" Did you say three? ba-deh.

S1 H ouq-ke´h. hut\k´." quM;eyak\" Yes three. or A˘ me shı´-ba-deh. Aem r˙ipåty\" AeP My mother is. My

Thou´n-yauq. qa; N˙s\eyak\' qm^; Two sons and one A˘ p’e s’oun- SuM;q∑a;på®p^" father has died.

Tha´ hna˘ yauq, ts\eyak\" daughter. dhwa-ba-bi.

tha˘ mı´ta˘ yauq. or Ma˘ shı´-da´w-ba- mr˙ieta.påB¨;" No.

S2 Beh-a˘ yweh-de By\AR∑y\et∑ r˙i®p^l´" How big are they? bu´. SuM;q∑a;på®p^" They have died.

´ ´

shı´-bi-le´h? S’oun-dhwa-ba-

S1 Tha-a˘ cı-ga´ ´ qa;AÂk^;k 24-N˙s\" The older son is 24. bi.

hna˘ s’e´h-le´-hniq. qa;Acy\k 22-N˙s\" The younger son is S1 Nyi-a˘ ko maun- v^Akuiemac\N˙m Do you have any

Tha´-a˘ ngeh-ga´ qm^;k 19-N˙s\ r˙i®p^" 22. hna˘ ma´ shı´- r˙iqla;" brothers and hna˘ s’e´h- The daughter is 19. dha˘ la´? sisters?

hna˘ hniq. S2 H ouq-ke´h. Shı´- hut\k´." r˙ipåty\" Yes, I have.

Tha˘ mı-ga´ ´ s’e´h- ba-deh.

ko´-hniq shı´-bi. S1 Beh-hna˘ yauq shı´- By\N˙s\eyak\ r˙iql´" How many do you

S2 Ein-daun ca´-bi- Aim\eTac\ k¥®p^la;" Have they got dha˘ le´h? have?

la´? married yet? S2 A˘ ko ta˘ yauq, a˘ ma´ Akui ts\eyak\ I have an older

S1 H ouq-ke´h. Tha´- hut\k´.' qa;AÂk^;k Yes. My older son ta˘ yauq-ne´h nyi- Amts\eyak\n´≥ v^m brother, an older a˘ cı-ga´ ´ ein-daun Aim\eTac\ k¥®p^" is married. ma´ hna˘ yauq N˙s\eyak\ r˙ipåty\" sister and two ca´-bi. A˘ ngeh- Acy\k Aim\eTac\ The younger one is shı´-ba-deh. younger sisters. ga´ ein-daun mr˙ieta.påB¨;" not married any S1 points to her companion

ma˘ shı´-da´w-ba- k∑´q∑a;på®p^" more. S1 Da-ga´ ca˘ ma´ a˘ ko- dåk k¥m Akuipå" This is my brother.

bu´. Kweh- He is divorced. ba.

dhwa´-ba-bi. S2 Aw. Twe´-ya´-da eAa\" et∑>rta Oh. I am happy to

´ ´ S2 Aw. Tha˘ mı-ga´ w? eAa\" qm^;eka" Oh. How about the wun-tha-ba-deh. wm\;qapåty\" have met you. daughter?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 126 Burmese By Ear Burmese By Ear 127

Words for siblings APPENDIX 1 a˘ ko Akui older brother OUTLINE DESCRIPTION OF THE SOUNDS OF BURMESE a˘ ma´ Am older sister maun emac\ younger brother (of BBE is a tape-based course, so you will receive all the listening woman) and pronunciation training you need as you work through the nyi v^ younger brother (of man) lessons. Written descriptions are no substitute for hearing and nyi-ma´ v^m younger sister (see note) imitating. The purpose of the notes below is simply to provide hna˘ ma´ N˙m younger sister (see note) an overview of the sound system of Burmese. nyi-a˘ ko maun- v^Akuiemac\N˙m or brothers and sisters hna˘ ma´ or just just emac\N˙m The following notes are adapted from “The sounds of Burmese”, maun-hna˘ ma´ which appeared as Appendix 1 in my longer course Burmese: an introduction to the spoken language (published by Northern Illinois

Notes University, 1994).

A˘ p’e-a˘ me shı´-dhe´-dha˘ la? “Are your parents still alive?” The

´ suffix -the´/-dhe conveys the meaning “still”. Compare these The parts of the syllable two sentences: For describing the sounds of Burmese, it is helpful to think of the Ban-daiq-hma B%\tuik\m˙a Alup\ Is he working at the syllable as being made up of two parts:

a˘ louq louq-ne- lup\enqla;" bank? dha˘ la´? 1. the “head”, which is a consonant (like m-) or a consonant with Ban-daiq-hma B%\tuik\m˙a Alup\ Is he still working a second consonant (like my-)

a˘ louq louq-ne- lup\eneq;qla;" at the bank? 2. the “rhyme”, which is a vowel (like -a) or a vowel with a final

´ ´

dhe´-dha˘ la? consonant (like -an)

Ma˘ shı´-da´ w-ba-bu´ “They are no longer living.”. For the suffix In addition, every syllable has a “tone”, marked (in this tran- -ta´w/-da´w with a negated verb see 5.6, 6.3, 11.1, 11.3. scription) by an accent (as in -a´): see the heading “Tones” below.

Nyi-ma´ and hna˘ ma´ “younger sister”. In earlier times nyi-ma´ referred to the younger sister of a woman, and hna˘ ma´ to the So the word pyou´n “to smile” is made up of – younger sister of a man. In contemporary Burmese, however, the head py-

hna˘ ma´ is rarely used, and nyi-ma´ is used for the younger the rhyme oun sisters of both men and women. the tone ´

Nyi-a˘ ko maun-hna˘ ma´ “brothers and sisters”. Another word you All syllables have a vowel and a tone, but not every syllable has

may hear is tha-jın´ , a term which includes the speaker and a head. For example, the syllable au´n has the rhyme aun and the

´ ´ his/her brothers and sisters; so Tha-jın´ thoun-yauq shı´-ba-deh tone ´-, but no head. would mean “There are three of us all told” (e.g. the speaker and two others). Remember that there is no standard method of representing For a fuller list of words for relatives see the Topical Vocabu- Burmese sounds in the roman alphabet: the examples below are lary for kin terms. presented in the system used in this booklet, but other books and Da-ga´ “this” can refer to a person. For suffix -ga´ /- k a´ see Lesson courses use a variety of different conventions. 10.5.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 128 Burmese By Ear Appendix 1 Sounds 129

Heads s’ S same as s but aspirated: see under Aspirates below roman script description sh y˙/r˙ as in English shore b b as in English bore t t as in French tort: see under Aspirates below c k¥ as in Italian ciao, or ’cello; something like ch in t’ T as in English tore: see under Aspirates below English chore, but made with the flat of the th q as in English thaw (not English though) tongue (not the tip) against the palate; and made w w as in English war; and see under Medial consonants without aspiration: see under Aspirates below below c’ K¥ same as c but aspirated: see under Aspirates below y y as in English your; and see under Medial consonants below d d as in English door z z as in English zone dh [q˙] like th in English this, there (not th in English thin, thigh) 1. Aspirate consonants g g as in English gore Burmese has two sets of corresponding pairs of consonants. h h as in English hoar Those in the first set are: hl l˙ same as l but aspirated: see under Aspirates below Roman Script hm m˙ same as m but aspirated: see under Aspirates below k’ t’ p’ c’ s’ KTPK¥S hn N˙ same as n but aspirated: see under Aspirates below ktpcs kt pk¥s hng c˙ same as ng but aspirated: see under Aspirates below hny V˙ same as ny but aspirated: see under Aspirates below Those on the first line are known as “aspirate” consonants, and hw w˙ same as w but aspirated: see under Aspirates below those on the second are known as the corresponding “plain” or j g¥ like gi in Italian Giorgio; something like j in English “unaspirated” consonants. The difference between the two sets jaw, but made with the flat of the tongue (not the is that the aspirate consonants have a short puff of breath tip) against the palate expelled after the consonant is pronounced and before the vowel k k like c in French corps: see under Aspirates below begins; while after a plain consonant there is no audible breath: k’ K like c in English core: see under Aspirates below the vowel begins immediately the consonant has been l l as in English law pronounced. m m as in English more Put this way, this distinction may sound unfamiliar, but n n as in English nor; see also under Final consonants you have probably heard examples of both aspirate and plain below consonants, perhaps without being aware of the difference. Most ng c like ng in English long oar speakers of English use aspirate consonants in words like kill, till, ny v like gn in Italian gnocchi; something like ni in English pill. To a Burmese ear these words sound like k’ill, t’ill, p’ill. Plain senior, but made with the flat of the tongue (not the consonants on the other hand are used in French and Italian: tip) against the palate think of French words like casse, tasse, passe. French and Italian p p as in French port: see under Aspirates below speakers (and Indians and Pakistanis even more noticeably) p’ P as in English pore: see under Aspirates below often use these plain consonants when they speak English – a q [t\] glottal stop: see under Final consonants below habit that contributes to making their English sound “foreign.” r r as in English raw (mostly used in foreign loan words) They say kill, till, pill instead of k’ill, t’ill, p’ill. Burmese uses both

s ´ s as in English soar: see under Aspirates below sets and gives equal status to each, so pa´ and p’a (for example)

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

130 Burmese By Ear Appendix 1 Sounds 131

´ are two different words: pa´ means “cheek” and p’a means “frog”. e eA like é in French élève Careful listening to the tapes will help you recognize and e in eh Ay\ like e in English sell pronounce the two sets differently. e in eq Ak\ like e in English set ei in eiq and ein Ait\' Ain\ like a in English late and lane The paired aspirate and plain consonants in the second set are i A^ like i in English ravine these: i in iq and in As\' A√\/Ac\ like i in English sit and sin Roman Script aw eAa\ like aw in English saw hng hn hm hny hl hw c˙ N˙ m˙ V˙ l˙ w˙ o Aui like eau in French peau ng n m ny l w cnmvlw ou in ouq & oun Aut\' Aun\ like o in English tote and tone Those on the first line are sometimes called breathed or voiceless u A¨ like u in English Susan consonants. They are pronounced like the plain set, but with u in uq and un A∑t\' A∑n\ like oo in English foot and full breath expelled quietly through the nose (through the mouth for hl hw) before voicing begins. Final consonants -n -c\ -√\ -n\ -m\ represents nasalization, hm is like English hmm in “Hmm – let me see” as in French un, bon, vin, Jean hl is like Welsh ll in Llandudno -q -k\ -s\ -t\ -p\ represents a glottal stop, hw is like English wh in “breathy” pronunciations of what, as in “Cockney” English “The ca’ sa’ on the ma’ ,” where, etc. or (in our transcription) “The caq saq on the maq.” Note that neither -n nor -q are very satisfactory symbols for the The remaining consonants in this set – hng, hn, hny – are Burmese sounds they are used to represent, because they stand

produced by the same mechanism as hm. for quite different sounds in English. Don’t let them deceive you into saying “Win” when you should be saying Wın´ , or “Chick” 2. Medial consonants when you should be saying C’iq. Some consonants may be followed by a “medial” consonant: y or w; e.g.: Tones

y in myan-myan quickly ®mn\®mn\ Tones are marked in the transcription used here by accents (or w in mwe´-ne´ birthday em∑;en≥ absence of accent) placed over the vowel. They are illustrated here with the vowel a. Rhymes (for descriptions of -q and -n see the note on Final consonants below) a Aa low pitch, called “low” tone

(marked here by having no printed accent) roman script description a´ Aa; high pitch a˘ [A] like a in English about spoken with normal or relaxed throat: a Aa like a in English car, “plain high tone” but closer to a in French car a´ Aa. high pitch spoken with a tightened throat: a in aq and an At\' An\ like a in English cat and can “creaky high tone” ai in aiq and ain Auik\' Auic\ like i in English site and sine au in auq & aun eAak\' eAac\ like ou in English lout and lounge

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

132 Burmese By Ear Appendix 1 Sounds 133

´ ´ There are two other kinds of syllable in Burmese. Though they thou´n + t’aun thoun-daun – not thoun-t’aun: don’t have a place in the three-way contrast just described, they because t’ is “voiced” to d. are listed here for completeness. three + thousand three thousand Not all consonants can be voiced. The voiceable consonants, and aq At\ high pitch, followed by a glottal stop, their voiced counterparts, are the following: called a “stopped” syllable (may be pronounced this row: kct spth with low pitch when followed by a high tone) and this: k’ c’ t’ s’ p’ a˘ [A] low pitch, only on the vowel a˘ . A syllable with the voice to: gj dzbdh vowel a˘ is called a “weak” syllable, or a “reduced” or “unstressed” syllable. It may be There is one exception to the voicing rule: it does not operate pronounced with high pitch if sandwiched when the first syllable ends in -q: e.g. between two high tones. shiq + s’eh shiq-s’eh – not shiq-zeh: voicing is suspended after -q. Schematically, the tones can be arranged like this: eight + ten eighty plain creaky stopped weak And consonants that are not in the “voiceable” list remain un-

changed anyway; e.g.

a´ Aa; a Aa./A aq At\ — ´ high pitch ´ le´ + ya le-ya- no change low pitch a Aa ——a˘ [A] because y is not voiceable.

four + ten forty

´ It should be understood that “low pitch” and “high pitch” are nga´ + main nga-main- no change relative terms: because m is not voiceable. "low" means lower than neighbouring highs, and five + mile five miles "high" means higher than neighbouring lows. A syllable spoken in isolation can’t readily be identified as Further examples: having either high or low pitch (though it may be distinguished pu + teh pu-deh (not pu-teh) by features other than pitch, namely creakiness, glottal stop, or t is voiced to d (see 1.3) weak vowel). be hot + suffix it is hot t’ain + pa t’ain-ba (not t’ain-pa) * * * p is voiced to b (see 2.6)

sit + suffix please sit down

Syllables in combination: voicing and weakening ´ ´ ´ ´ ´ a´ + tha˘ la a-dha˘ la (not a-tha˘ la) th is voiced to dh (see 1.8) 1. Voicing

be free + suffix are you free?

When two syllables are joined together to form a compound ´ ´ nga´ + caq nga-jaq (not nga-caq) word, there is often a change in the second syllable: its first c is voiced to j (see 1.11) consonant is “voiced”, e.g.

five + kyat five kyats

´ ´

le´ + s’eh le-zeh – not le-s’eh: ´ ´ thou´n + k’weq thoun-gweq (not thoun-k’weq) because s’ is “voiced” to z. k’ is voiced to g (see 1.14) four + ten forty three + cup three cups

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

134 Burmese By Ear Appendix 1 Sounds 135

t’a´n “palm” weakens in: t’a˘ leq “palm frond”

´ 2. Weakening but not in: t’a´n-bu “palm bud” s’an “hair” weakens in: s’a˘ zu´ “switch of hair” You will have learned from the tapes that when you join the but not in: s’an-za´ “hairline” words for “one” and “a hundred” to make “one hundred”, the And in some words, one speaker will use a weakened form first of the two words is “weakened”: where another would use the full form. tiq + ya ta˘ ya (not tiq-ya) one + hundred one hundred When a syllable is weakened, its rhyme is replaced by the vowel -a˘ .

Weakening occurs regularly with tiq, hniq, k’un-hniq (“one, two, seven”) when they are joined to a following word; e.g. hniq + k’weq hna˘ k’weq (not hniq-k’weq) two + glass two glasses

k’un-hniq + caq k’un-na˘ caq (not k’un-hniq-caq) seven + kyat seven kyat

Weakening also occurs regularly in combinations in which -meh

´ or -teh/-deh is followed by -la´ or -leh; e.g.

´ ´ ´

thwa´-meh + la thwa-ma˘ la

´ (not thwa´-meh-la)

you’ll go + question W illyou go?

ba + lo-jin-deh + le´h ba lo-jin-dha˘ leh (not ba lo-jin-deh-le´h) what + you want + question What do you want? Note the extra change here from d to dh.

In most other contexts weakening occurs sporadically and

unpredictably; e.g.

nga´ “fish” weakens in: nga˘ gin “grilled fish”

but not in: nga´-caq-tin “smoked fish” thu “person” weakens in: tha˘ k’o´ “thief”

but not in: thu-na “invalid”

´ tha´ “child” weakens in: tha˘ u “firstborn”

´ but not in: tha´-laun “embryo”

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 136 Burmese By Ear Appendix 2 Script 137

APPENDIX 2 syllable = head + rhyme OUTINE DESCRIPTION OF BURMESE SCRIPT [initial consonant, or initial [single vowel, or vowel and second consonant] with final consonant] Contents FEE = F + EE 1. Syllable structure: heads and rhymes FILL = F + ILL 2. Characters for writing heads FRILL = FR + ILL 3. Characters for writing rhymes FLEE = FL + EE 4. Other characters 5. Irregularities 1.1. Heads 6. Further reading In Burmese script the head of a syllable may be either • an “initial consonant”; for example, the consonants plnq Introduction written: pronounced: p- l- n- th- A full tutorial for reading and writing Burmese script or would be too long for this booklet. What you will find below is • an initial consonant combined with a second consonant, simply an overview: it explains how the script works and gives a referred to below as a “medial consonant”; for example, the list of the characters and regular character combinations. combinations written: ®p l¥ N˙ q∑ The Burmese alphabet consists of 33 consonants and 18 pronounced: py- ly- hn- thw- symbols which can be attached to the consonants. The attached There are only four medial consonants in Burmese script. symbols represent vowels, medial consonants, tones or other features. There are in addition 8 “free-standing characters”. The 1.2. Rhymes consonants and the attached symbols are combined to form The rhyme of a syllable may be written with either • an attached vowel symbol; e.g. syllables, and syllables are combined to form words and p^ l¨ na qui sentences. written: pronounced: pi lu na tho 1. Syllable structure or • a consonant marked as a final consonant by carrying the “killer” symbol -;\ e.g. For learning purposes the syllable is the basic unit of the pn\ ln\ nt\ qk\ script. Each syllable can be analysed into a “head” and a written: “rhyme”. “Head” is the name given to the initial consonant (or pronounced: pan lan naq theq an initial consonant combined with a second consonant), and or “rhyme” is the name for the remainder of the syllable, namely • a combination of an attached vowel symbol and a final consonant; e.g. the vowel (or the vowel and a final consonant) and the tone. pun\ lin\ enac\ quik\ Some examples from English may help to clarify the structure: written: pronounced: poun lein naun thaiq

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 138 Burmese By Ear Appendix 2 Script 139

1.3. Tones 2.2. Medial consonants Tones are part of the rhyme and are mostly represented by the -¥ ®- -∑ -˙ two tone marks -; and -. ; e.g. -y- -y- -w- h-

written: pun\≥lin\; na; qui≥

´ pronounced: pou´nleınna´ tho´ The following combinations of consonant and medial consonant Other ways of representing tone are used for certain rhymes. have modified pronunciations: k¥ K¥ g¥ - r˙ 2. Characters for writing heads Âk ®K ®g ®c y˙ l¥ lY y¥ qY c- c’- j- ny- sh- ly- or y- hly- or sh- y- sh- 2.1. Initial consonants (set out in traditional alphabetical order) kK gGc 3. Characters for writing rhymes k- k’- g- g- ng- sSzZv√ 3.1. Attached vowel symbols and tone marking 1 2 1 2 low tone -a -^ -¨ e- -y\ e-a\ -ui -v\ s- s’-z-z-ny-ny- -a -i -u -e -eh -aw -o -i/e/eh !@£$% 1 2 1 2

t- t’-d-d-n- high tone -a; -^;-¨; e-; -´ e-a -ui; -v\;

´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´ tTdDn -a -ı´ -u -e -eh-aw-o-I/e/eh

t- t’-d-d-n- 3 2 1 2 creaky tone - -i -u e-. -´. e-a. -ui≥ -V\. pPbBm -a´ -ı´ -u´ -e´ -e´h-a´w-o´ -ı´/e´/e´h p- p’-b-b-m- Notes yrlwq 1. The vowel symbol -a is modified to the elongated form -å y- y- or r- l- w- th- with certain consonants, thus: Kå gå då på wå (and similarly for eKå egÅ etc) hLA The reason for using the modified form is to avoid ambiguity -a h- l- -* between combinations with the form and certain initial consonants; e.g. for the syllable pa if you wrote p + -a the result would be pa which is identical with the consonant h * This symbol is used to write syllables that have no initial p + -å = på consonant, such as pronounced h . Modifying the shape ( ) avoids this i written A,^ an written An,\ oun written Aun\ ambiguity. A 2. The vowel symbols -u and -¨ are modified to the elongated The “consonant” occupies the position of the initial -o -ø consonant in the written syllable, but is read aloud as “no forms and when there is no room for them to occupy their initial consonant”. normal position; e.g.:

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 140 Burmese By Ear Appendix 2 Script 141

K¥- + -up\ is written K¥op\ 3.4. Tone marking in syllables with a final consonant p¥- + -¨ is written p¥ø Syllables with a stop final (-q) are pronounced with a high g¥- + -ui is written g¥oi tone and can occur with no other, so they carry no tone mark 3. Note that the absence of a written vowel symbol is just as other than their own stop final. Syllables with a nasal final (-n) significant as the presence of one. A head with no written occur in three tones, marked as in this example:

vowel is pronounced with the rhyme -a´ ; e.g. ln\ ln\≥ln\; m read as ma´, l˙ read as hla´, etc. lan la´nla´n low tone creaky high tone plain high tone 3.2. Final consonants stop finals nasal finals 3.5. Stacked pairs of consonants -s\ -k\ -t\ -c\ -n\ In certain words correct spelling requires that the initial conso- alternatives -p\ -√\ -m \ or -M nant of one syllable should be written underneath the final pronounced -iq -eq -aq -in -an consonant of the preceding syllable. For example, the word pronounced s’an-da´ is written – Examples ls\ lk\ lc\ lm \ or lM or ln\ not Sn\d – with the d on the line in the usual way pronounced liq leq lin lan but Sn∂ – with the d of the second syllable underneath the final n of the first. Graphically the rhymes written -y\ and -v\ should be included Note that when two consonants are “stacked” in this way, the in this section. However, as they are pronounced without a final upper consonant is written without its killer stroke - \ : not Sn\∂ but -q or -n, they are usually listed among the vowel symbols. See Sn∂ . 3.1 above. Not all pairs of consonants can be stacked. The following is a list 3.3. Combinations of vowel symbol and final consonant of the pairs that can. For the pronunciation of diphthongs in the roman transcription k˚ k g© gÌ kç Kç gç G1ç - see the note at the foot of the page. sß sÍ zΩ zÛ2 ◊ß ◊Í ◊Ω ◊Û2 v ¡™2 #¢2 ⁄¤2 ‹2 ›∞ -it\ -uik\ e- ak\ -ut\ -∑t\ stop finals t† tÊ d∂ dÎ N † N Ê N∂ NÎ N~ alternatives -ip\ -up\ -∑p\ pπ p∏ b∫ bı mπ m∏ m∫ mı mμ pronounced -eiq -aiq -auq -ouq -uq l¬ œ2 -in\ -uic\ e- ac\ -un\ -∑n\ nasal finals Unstacked equivalents of the above alternatives -im\ -um \ or -uM -∑m\ or -∑M -k\k- -k\K- -g\g- -g\G- -c\k- -c\K- -c\g- -c\G- - -s\s- -s\S- -z\z- -z\Z- -√\s- -√\S- -√\z- -√\Z- -√\√- pronounced -ein -ain -aun -oun -un -!\!- -!\@- -£\£- -£\$- -%\!- -%\@- -%\£- -%\$- -%\%- lit\ luic\ elak\ lup\ l∑m\ l∑M l∑n\ -t\t--t\T- -d\d- -d\D- -n\t- -n\T- -n\d- -n\D- -n\n- Examples or or -p\p- -p\P- -b\b- -b\B- -m\p- -m\P- -m\b- -m\B- -m\m- pronounced leiq lain lauq louq lun -l\l- -q\q-

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 142 Burmese By Ear Appendix 2 Script 143

1. Unlike other finals in stacked pairs the final consonant c \ is Other mismatches follow partially predictable patterns. The positioned above the line instead of on the line. most pervasive of these is the Voicing Rule; examples:

2. Note modified shapes for these pairs. spelling apparently pronounced actually pronounced

´ ´ ´

el;Sy\.el;Ku le´-s’e´h-le-k’u´ le-ze´h-le-gu´

´ 4. Other characters na;K¥c\påty\ na´-c’in-pa-teh na-jin-ba-deh 4.1. Free-standing vowel syllables For more on the Voicing Rule see the appendix on sounds.

A I U [E]* Âq

´ a´ ´ı u´ e´ aw Another frequently encountered mismatch is “weakening”: when a syllable is written with a full rhyme but pronounced Aa È Ë E eÂqa\ with the vowel a˘ ; e.g. spelling apparently pronounced actually pronounced

aiueaw ts\Ku tiq-k’u´ ta˘ -k’u´

kula;Tuic\ ku´-la´-t’ain ka˘ -la˘ -t’ain

e´ * In certain words this syllable is read with a high tone . Tn\;lk\ t’a´n-leq t’a˘ -leq 4.2. Abbreviated syllables (used in literary style Burmese) fj Ò&c\;

6. Further reading ´ı ywe´ hnaiq la˘ gau´n For details of irregular combinations, mismatches, traditional names of the symbols, handwriting, decorative styles, a character 4.3. Figures 1234567890 identification chart, and more, see – Burmese: an introduction to the script by John Okell: 1993, Northern 1234567890 Illinois University (text and 7 audio cassette tapes) For a programmed introduction, with writing practice, see — An introduction to the Burmese writing system by H D Roop: 1972, 5. Irregularities Yale University Press Some words are writen with a combination of vowel symbol and final consonant not found in the standard system; e.g. lic\ lein or muK\ mouq . There are ways of working out how to pronounce these words, but they are too detailed to set out in this brief summary. See Section 6 below.

In many words, or combinations of words, there is a mismatch between the spelling and the pronunciation. Some mismatches are unique; e.g.

spelling apparently pronounced actually pronounced

B^; bı´ beın

´ ´ ´ q¨rc\;c˙a; thu-yın-hnga´ sa˘ -yın-hnga

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 144 Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar 145

APPENDIX 3 phrase” is used as a wide-cover term to include “adverbs” and OUTLINE DESCRIPTION OF BURMESE GRAMMAR other elements. Example: noun phrase 1 noun phrase 2 noun phrase 3 verb phrase

This section draws together the grammar points that are k¥m Am¥oi;qa; bmaska; n´n´ na;lv\påty\"

´ ´ ´ ´ ´ noted in the lessons. A reference in the form “(L 1.1)” tells you ca˘ ma´ a˘ myo´-tha Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga neh-nehna-leh-ba-deh. that the point was first introduced in Lesson 1.1. For more detail my husband Burmese a little understand see — language Burmese: an introduction to the spoken language, Book 2, Appendix “My husband understands a little Burmese.” 4 (John Okell, Northern Illinois University, 1993) A reference grammar of colloquial Burmese, (John Okell, Oxford 1.2 Word order (L 1.6) University Press, Oxford, 1969) Notice that Burmese order is the reverse of English: Burmese/Myanmar: a dictionary of grammatical forms, the appendix Burmese: Burmese – a little – (I) understand “Outline grammatical description“, (John Okell and Anna English: (I) understand – a little – Burmese Allott, Curzon Press, Richmond, England, 2000) 1.3 Pronouns and referents (L 1.1, 1.3) Contents Burmese does have words corresponding to the English he, it, 1. Sentences they, etc. But when both speaker and hearer know what is under 1.1 The standard structure discussion, pronouns and other referents are normally omitted; 1.2 Word order e.g. Context: continuation from the example above. 1.3 Pronouns and referents noun phrase 1 noun phrase 2 noun phrase 3 verb phrase 1.4 Verbs and adjectives – tRup\ska; n´n´ na;lv\påty\"

1.5 Is/are sentences ´ ´ ´ – Ta˘ youq sa˘ ga´ neh-nehna-leh-ba-deh. 2 Suffixes (He omitted) Chinese language a little understand 2.1 Some common sentence suffixes “(He) understands a little Chinese.” 2.2 Some common phrase suffixes 2.3 Some common verb suffixes (tense etc) Context: S2 tries a drink given her by S1. 2.4 Some common verb suffixes (modality etc) noun phrase 1 noun phrase 2 verb phrase 2.5 Some common noun suffixes ’kik\ty\ena\" (marking relationship to verb) –– 2.6 Some common noun suffixes (expanding: plurality etc) ––caiq-teh-naw? 3 Compound sentences (You omitted) (it omitted) like-statement-right? 4 Verb paradigms S1: “You like it, don’t you?”

1 Sentences noun phrase 1 noun phrase 2 verb phrase ––’kik\påty\" 1.1 The standard structure. ––caiq-pa-deh. The typical Burmese sentence consists of one or more “noun (I omitted) (it omitted) like-polite-statement phrases” followed by a “verb phrase.” In this context “noun S2: “Yes, I do.”

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 146 Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar 147

1.4 Verbs and adjectives (L 1.1.) 5. Another category of suffix subordinates one sentence to Although we have to translate p¨ty\ pu-deh, eA;ty\ e´-deh and another. similar words with the English adjectives: “hot”, “cold”, and so on, in terms of Burmese grammar they must be classified as 2.1 Some common sentence suffixes

-på 1 verbs: “to be hot”, “to be cold”, etc. 1 [sentence] [sentence]-ba/-pa polite 2 (L 1.4, 10.2) -la; ´ noun phrase verb phrase 2 [sentence] [sentence]-la question: yes or no 34

n´n´ p¨påty\" 5 (L 1.8)

-l´ ´ ´ ne´h-neh pu-ba-deh. 3 [sentence] [sentence]-leh question: information 4 (L 1.11) a little be hot-polite-statement ena\ “It is rather hot.” 4 [statement]- [statement]-naw It is so, isn’t it? 3 (L 1.1) 1.5 Is/are sentences (L 1.11, 4.6) 5 [I’m going to …]- [I’m going to …]- You don’t mind if I A sentence that identifies an item, or equates two items, ena\ naw do, do you? (L 3.9) normally has no verb phrase in the Burmese equivalent. It 6 [request]-ena\ [request]-naw Please do it, if you contains just two noun phrases: don’t mind. noun phrase 1 noun phrase 2 då eka\P^ Note 1. The suffix -på is pronounced -pa after the final consonant -q and is voiced to -ba after other finals. Examples: da kaw-p’i 1. -på is not voiced: -pa 2. -på is voiced: -ba that coffee då ehals\ på då eka\P^ på

“That is coffee.” Sentences of this type are referred to here as “is/are sentences”. da H a´w-liq pa da kaw-p’iba that Horlicks polite that coffee polite 2 Suffixes “That is Horlicks.” “That is coffee.” A “suffix” is an element that is attached to the end of a word, like This is the effect of the Voicing Rule: see Voicing in Appendix 1. the English -ing in words like learning, thinking, etc. Most of the Voiced and unvoiced alternatives for other suffixes are shown in grammatical information in a Burmese sentence is carried by the same way in the notes below. suffixes. Most suffixes are used with just one part of speech. Note 2. The sentence suffix -på -ba/-pa takes this position 1. Suffixes attached to sentences show whether the sentence is a (sentence-final) in is/are sentences. For -på -ba/-pa in verb statement or a question or a command. 2. Suffixes attached to phrases carry meanings like “also”, sentences see under verb suffixes (modality) below. “however”, and so on. Note 3. Questions ending in -naw encourage your listener to

3. Suffixes attached to verbs indicate tense (did go, will go etc) answer Yes (like “isn’t it?”, “don’t you?”, “won’t they?”, and so

´ and modality (can do, may do, want to do, is doing, etc). on), whereas questions ending in -tha˘ la´/- d h a˘ la don’t attempt to 4. Suffixes attached to nouns signal relationships in the same push him/her in either direction. (L 1.8) way as English prepositions (went to Rangoon, comes from

England, go by car) and for expansion (marking plurality, Note 4. Questions that ask for information (Which? What? Why?

´ coordination, etc). etc) end in -tha˘ le´h (or its voiced version -dha˘ leh). Questions that

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

148 Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar 149

´ can be answered with a Yes or a No end in -tha˘ la´/- d h a˘ la. Com-

pare these two: noun phrase verb phrase sentence suffix

Beh-ha pu-dha˘ le´h? By\ha p¨ql´" Which one is the hot one? 9-nar^ lamy\ ena\

´ ´ A´då p¨qla;" Eh-da pu-dha˘ la? Is that one hot? ko´-na-yi la-meh naw

nine o’clock come right? Note 5. Parallel questions in -la´ imply alternatives (L 12.2). See “I’ll come at 9.0. WIll that be all right?” the example below. Examples of sentence suffixes noun phrase verb phrase sentence suffix

noun phrase 1 noun phrase 2 sentence suffix 9-nar^ laK´. ena\

då eka\P^ la; ko´-na-yi la-ge´h naw da kaw-p’ila´ nine o’clock come right? that coffee question “You will come at nine, won’t you?” “Is that coffee?” 2.2 Some common phrase suffixes:

noun phrase noun phrase sentence noun phrase sentence 1 2A suffix 2B suffix l´ ´ då eka\P^ la; lk\Pk\rv\ la; 1 [phrase]- [phrase]-leh also (L 10.3)

2 [phrase]-eta. [phrase]-da´w/-ta´w as for, however

´ ˘

da kaw-p’ila lap’eq-ye la 3 [phrase]-eka or [phrase]-ga´w or how about? (L 9.1, 10.4,

that coffee question tea question era ya´w 11.1)

´ “Is that coffee or tea?” 4 [phrase]-p´ [phrase]-be´h/-p’eh just, only [less than you’d

think] (L 9.4, 9.7)

noun phrase 1 noun phrase 2 sentence suffix

´ då eka\P^ på 5 [phrase]-p´ [phrase]-be´h/-p’eh emphatic (L 3.1, 9.1) da kaw-p’iba Examples that coffee polite noun phrase + phrase suffix verb phrase ± sentence suffix

“That is coffee (and I am expressing deference).” k¥m -l´ wm\;qapåty\"

´ noun phrase 1 noun phrase 2 sentence suffix ca˘ ma´ -le´hwun-tha-ba-deh

då Ba eka\P^ l´ I -also am pleased da ba kaw-p’ile´h “I’m pleased too.” that what coffee question noun phrase + phrase suffix verb phrase ± sentence suffix

“What coffee is that?” Aem -eta. m’kik\påB¨;" noun phrase 1 noun phrase 2 sentence suffix a˘ me -da´wma˘ caiq-pa-bu´ då eka\P^ ena\ mother -however not like da kaw-p’i naw “My mother, however, doesn’t like it. ” that coffee right? “That is coffee, isn’t it?”

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 150 Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar 151

noun phrase + phrase suffix verb phrase ± sentence suffix

AeP -eka ’kik\qla; [verb]-my\ + la; [verb]-mla; or [verb]-m˙ala;

´ ´

-meh + la´ -ma˘ la -hma-la ´ a˘ p’e-ga´w caiq-tha˘ la [verb] [verb] or [verb]

father -how about like + question “How about your father: does he like it?” Both these variants are also common before sentence suffix -le´h (-l´) “question”; and the second variant (-da, -hma) is often found before sentence suffix -ba (-på) “polite”(L 9.2). noun phrase + phrase suffix verb phrase ± sentence suffix

Alv\ -p´ lapåty\"

The question ending [verb]-qla; [verb]-dha˘ la´ has one further

A˘ leh -be´h la-ba-deh. variant: [verb]-r´.la; [verb]-ye´h-la´ (L 9.9). This form is most often

visit -only came heard in two formulaic questions:

´ ´

“I have just come for a visit.” Ne-kau´n-yeh-la? enekac\;r´.la;" Are you well? (How are you?)

´ Pyaw-ye´h-la? ep¥a\r´.la;" Are you enjoying yourself? noun phrase + phrase suffix verb phrase ± sentence suffix d^m˙a-p´ Tuic\på

Note 2. For more on [verb]-bi/-pi see under Verb paradigms di-hma -be´ht’ain-ba below. here -emphatic sit “Please sit just here.” Examples noun phrase verb phrase + verb suffix 2.3 Some common verb suffixes (tense etc): senen≥ erak\ -ty\ Sa˘ ne-ne´ yauq -teh ty\ 1 1 [verb]- [verb]-deh/-teh 1 statement (past or present) Saturday arrive past or present (L 1.1, 2.1) “They arrived on Saturday.” my\ 1 2 [verb]- [verb]-meh 1 statement (future, intention) (L or “They arrive on a Saturday (regularly).” 2.2) ®p^ 3 [verb]- [verb]-bi/-pi statement (has now happened) 2 noun phrase verb phrase + verb suffix

(L 7.3, 9.3) senen≥ erak\ -my\

´ m- B¨; ˘ ´ 4 [verb]- ma-[verb]-bu/-p’u statement (negative) (L 1.4) Sa˘ ne-ne´ yauq -meh 5 [verb] [verb] request, command (positive) Saturday arrive future (L 2.6) “They are going to arrive on Saturday.” 6 m-[verb]-n´≥ ma˘ -[verb]-ne´h request, command (negative) (L 2.6) noun phrase verb phrase + verb suffix mN †el; erak\ -®p^la;"

Note 1. The two suffixes -teh/-deh and -meh (-ty\' -my)\ usually

´ ´

Ma´n-da˘ le yauq -pi-la? take a variant form when combined with sentence suffix -la´ Mandalay arrive has now happened-question (-la;):

“Have they got to Mandalay yet?”

[verb]-ty\ + la; [verb]-qla; or [verb]-tala; or [verb]-la;

´ ´ ´ [verb]-deh + la´ [verb]-dha˘ la or [verb]-da-la or [verb]-la

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 152 Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar 153

10 m-[verb]-eta.- ma˘ -[verb]-da´w-/-ta´w- not [verb] any more, not noun phrase verb phrase + verb suffix after all

mN †el; mq∑a; -B¨; (L 5.6, 6.3, 11.3)

´ ´ ´ ´ ´ Ma´n-da˘ le ma˘ thwa -bu 11 m-[verb]-eq;- ma˘ -[verb]-dhe-/-the- not [verb] yet Mandalay not-go statement (L 9.1, 9.3, 11.3) “They didn’t go to Mandalay.” or “They won’t go to Mandalay.” Note 1. The verb suffix -pa/-ba- has the same effect as the sentence suffix -pa/-ba- : both show that the speaker is being noun phrase verb phrase + verb suffix polite. The difference is in the position of the suffix. In sentences d^m˙aTuic\på — with a verb -pa/-ba- is placed after the verb and before the verb Di-hma t’ain-ba — suffix indicating tense ([verb]-ba-deh, [verb]-ba-bi, etc), whereas Here sit [request] in is/are sentences -pa/-ba- is placed after the second noun: “Please sit here.” [noun 1] [noun 2]-pa/-ba. Examples of verb suffixes (modality etc) noun phrase verb phrase + verb suffix A´d^m˙amTuic\på -n´≥ noun phrase verb phrase

verb +verb sfx +verb sfx E´h-di-hma ma˘ t’ain-ba -ne´h (mod) (tense) There not-sit [request] qip\ p¨ -på- -ty\ “Please don’t sit there.” Theiq pu -ba- -deh Very be hot polite statement 2.4 Some common verb suffixes (modality etc): “It is very hot.” 1 [verb]-på- [verb]-ba-/-pa- 1 shows the speaker is being polite (L 1.2) noun phrase verb phrase 2 [verb]-K¥c\- [verb]-jin-/-c’in- want to [verb] (L 2.5) verb +verb sfx +verb sfx [verb]-Nuic\- -nain- 3 [verb] be able to [verb] (L 5.5) (mod) (tense) 4 [verb]-tt\- [verb]-daq-/-taq- know how to [verb], be d^m˙aTuic\ -K¥c\- -ty\ able to [verb] (L 9.1) Di-hma t’ain -jin- -deh 5 [verb]-r- [verb]-ya´- can, may, must, have to Here sit want statement [verb] (L 5.3, 5.7, 8.3) “We want to sit here.” 6 [verb]-en- [verb]-ne- be [verb]-ing (L 9.5, 11.1)

noun phrase verb phrase 7 [verb]-ep;- [verb]-pe´- [verb] for someone’s verb +verb sfx +verb sfx benefit (L 5.9)

-eta.- (mod) (tense)

8 [verb] [verb]-da´w-/-ta´w- [verb] at last, finally d^elak\ melYa. -Nuic\--B¨;

9 [verb]-eq;- [verb]-dhe´-/the- still [verb], [verb] more

Di-lauq ma˘ sha´w -nain- -bu´ [verb]-AuM;- [verb]-ou´n- (L 4.5, 5.7, 6.6, 9.4) This much not reduce can statement (L 3.2, 5.4, 6.7)

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 154 Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar 155

“I can’t drop it that much.” noun phrase verb phrase noun phrase verb phrase verb +verb sfx +verb sfx verb +verb sfx +verb sfx (mod) (tense) (mod) (tense) – q∑a; -eta.-my\

bmaska; e®pa -tt\- -qla;"

– thwa´ -da´w- -meh

´ ´ Ba˘ ma sa˘ ga´ pyaw -daq- -tha˘ la? –gofinally statement Burmese speak know how statement- “I am going now.” question “Can you speak Burmese?” noun phrase verb phrase verb +verb sfx +verb sfx noun phrase verb phrase (mod) (tense)

verb +verb sfx +verb sfx – r˙i -eq;- ty\" (mod) (tense) – shı´ -dhe´- -deh Sy\nar^m˙a la -r- -my\ – exist still, more statement S’eh-na-yi-hma la -ya´--meh “There’s still more. There’s something else.” At ten o’clock come must statement “You will have to come at ten o’clock.” noun phrase verb phrase verb +verb sfx +verb sfx noun phrase verb phrase (mod) (tense)

verb +verb sfx +verb sfx Alup\ mlup\ -eta.-B¨;" (mod) (tense) A˘ louq ma˘ louq -ta´w- -bu´.

ek¥ac\;eSac\m˙atv\; -enty\ Work not do any more statement

´ Cau´n-zaun-hma teh -ne- -deh “He doesn’t work any more.” At a student hostel stay -ing statement “She is staying in a student hostel.” noun phrase verb phrase verb +verb sfx +verb sfx noun phrase verb phrase (mod) (tense)

verb +verb sfx +verb sfx Alup\ mlup\ -eq;- B¨;"

´ (mod) (tense) A˘ louq ma˘ louq -the´--bu.

Aim\ luik\pui≥ -ep;- my\ Work not do yet statement Ein laiq-po´ -pe´--meh “He doesn’t work yet.” Home take benefit statement “I’ll take you home.”

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 156 Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar 157

2.5 Some common noun suffixes (marking relationship to verb): noun + noun suffix (rel) verb phrase ± sentence suffix Bakisß -n´≥ laql´"

-m˙a 1 [noun] [noun]-hma in/at/on [noun] (L 2.3, 5.11) Ba keiq-sa´ -ne´h la-dha˘ le´h? 2 [noun]-k or [noun]-ga´/-ka´ or from [noun] (L 9.2) -ken What matter with came ga´/-ka´-ne “What brought you here?” 3 [noun] or [noun] or [noun]- to [noun] (L 5.1) [noun]-kui go/-ko -n´≥ noun + noun suffix (rel) verb phrase ± sentence suffix

4 [noun] [noun]-ne´h with/by means of [noun] (L qa; no suffix or -k r˙s\N˙s\ r˙i®p^" 9.7) Tha´- no suffix or -ga´ shiq-hniq shı´-bi. 5 [noun] or [noun] or [noun]- this noun is the subject of the Son subject has eight years [noun]-k ga´/-ka´ verb (L 10.5, 12.3) “My son is eight years old.” 6 [noun] or [noun] or [noun]- this noun is the object of the [noun]-kui go/-ko verb (not introduced in the noun + noun suffix (rel) verb phrase ± sentence suffix Lessons) k¥m no suffix or -kui Dåt\puM Ruik\my\" 7 [name]-lui≥ [name]-lo´ suffix marking end of name or Ca˘ ma´ no suffix or -go daq-poun yaiq-meh. quotation; like a spoken (”) (L Me object will photograph 3.5, 10.2) “He’s going to take a picture of me.” Examples noun + noun suffix (rel) verb phrase ± sentence suffix noun + noun suffix (rel) verb phrase ± sentence suffix emr^ -lui≥ eKÅpåty\" puqim\ -m˙a enpåty\" Meri -lo´ k’aw-ba-deh. Pa˘ thein -hma ne-ba-deh. Mary quoted is called Pathein in live “She is called Mary.” “I live in Pathein.” 2.6 Some common noun suffixes (expanding: plurality, coordi- noun + noun suffix (rel) verb phrase ± sentence suffix nation, etc) puqim\ -k or ken lapåty\" ˘ -ga´ -ga´-ne Pathein or la-ba-deh. 1 [noun]-tui≥ [noun]-do´/-to´ [noun] and Pathein from come associated [noun]s “I come from Pathein.” (see example below) 2 [noun]-et∑ [noun]-dwe [noun]s (L 12.2) noun + noun suffix (rel) verb phrase ± sentence suffix -elak\ puqim\ -kui q∑a;påty\" 3 [quantity] [quantity]-lauq approximately, about

no suffix or [quantity] (L 9.4) Pa˘ thein no suffix or -go thwa´-ba-deh. 4 [noun1]-n´≥ [noun2] [noun1]-ne´h [noun2] [noun1] and [noun2] Pathein to went (L 1.6, 4.1) “I went to Pathein.”

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 158 Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar 159

5 [noun1] [noun2] or [noun1] [noun2] or [noun1]’s [noun2] (L [noun1]-r´. [noun2] [noun1]-ye´h [noun2] 9.5, 10.5) Compound sentence (Simple sentences 1 + 2) or or sentence 1 sentence 2 [noun1]-creak [noun1]-creak Dat\puM Ruik\Pui≥ bma®pv\ lapåty\" [noun2] 1 [noun2] 1 daq-poun yaiq-p’o´ Ba˘ ma-pye la-ba-deh. photograph take-to to Burma come Note 1. Used only when [noun1] ends in a low tone syllable. “I came to Burma to take photographs.”

Examples Suffixes that are used to make compound sentences in this way

´ Ë;el;tui≥ U-le´-do´ Uncle and associates, you are called “subordinating suffixes”. Burmese uses a large range and your colleagues, of subordinating suffixes (e.g. [verb]-rc\ [verb]-yin “if [verb]”,

countrymen, family, etc [verb]-lui≥ [verb]-lo´ “because [verb]”, [verb]-t´.AKå [verb]-de´h-a˘ k’a qm^;et∑ tha˘ mI´-dwe or -de daughters “when [verb]”), and the order is always the same as the example edÅla 30-elak\ daw-la 30-lauq about 30 dollars above: the subordinated sentence precedes the main sentence.

Aemn´≥ AeP a˘ me-ne´ha˘ p’e mother and father Only three subordinating suffixes are introduced in this course.

´ ´

Ë;el; qa; or U-le´ tha or my uncle’s son They are:

´ ´ Ë;el;r´> qa; U-le´-ye´h tha

-Pui≥ edÅedÅ≥ qa; Daw-da´w tha´ my aunt’s son 1 [verb] [verb]-bo´/-p’o´ in order to [verb], to [verb] (L 9.8) 2 [verb]-ta [verb]-da/-ta [verb]-ing (makes verb into noun) 3 Compound sentences (L 9.3, 9.6, 9.9) -lui≥ A compound sentence is one which contains two or more 3 [verb] [verb]-lo´ [verb]-ing (see example below) simple sentences. The suffix at the end of the first sentence (L 9.10) shows that the sentence is part of a combined sentence and that is there is more to come. Example: Examples of subordinating suffixes sentence 1 sentence 2

Simple sentence 1 saAit\ wy\Pui≥ eZ; q∑a;ty\"

´ noun phrase verb phrase sa-eiq weh-bo´ ze´ thwa-deh. Dat\puM Ruik\ty\" envelope to buy market went daq-poun yaiq-teh. “He went to the market to buy some envelopes.” photograph take “I take photographs.” sentence 1 sentence 2

– et∑>rta – wm\;qapåty\" Simple sentence 2 – Twe´-ya´-da – wu´n-tha-ba- noun phrase verb phrase bma®pv\ lapåty\" deh. – meet-ing you – be happy Ba˘ ma-pye la-ba-deh. “I am to have met you (happy at meeting you).” to Burma come “I came to Burma.”

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 160 Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar 161

sentence 1 sentence 2 Requests and commands

bma®pv\ erak\enta By\elak\ Âka®p^l´" [verb]-ba. 1 [verb]-på" 1 please do [verb] 1 Ba˘ ma-pye yauq-ne-da beh-lauq ca-bi-le´h? ma˘ -[verb]-ba-ne´h. 1 m-[verb]-pån´≥" 1 please do not [verb] to Burma arriving how much has been long? 1

“How long have you been in Burma?” Still and not yet

[verb]-bi-la´? [verb]-®p^la;" has it [verb]-ed yet?

sentence 1 sentence 2 ma˘ -[verb]-dhe´-ba- m-[verb]-eq;påB¨;" it hasn’t [verb]-ed d^m˙a enlui≥ – ekac\;påty\" bu´. yet, isn’t [verb] yet

-®p^" Di-hma ne-lo´ – kau´n-ba-deh. [verb]-bi. [verb] it has [verb]-d now.

here live-ing – is good ma˘ -[verb]-da´w-ba- m-[verb]-eta.påB¨;" it’s not going to “It is good living here.” bu´. [verb] after all [verb]-da´w-meh. [verb]-eta.my\" it is just about to

4 Verb paradigms [verb] (at last) The following list draws together for comparison some high [verb]-ne-ba-dhe´- [verb]-enpåeq;ty\" it is still [verb]-ing.

frequency combinations of verb suffix and sentence suffix. In the deh. list “someone” is used as a cover term for “someone, something, [verb]-ba-ou´n. [verb]-påAuM;" please [verb] more, somewhere” etc. please continue

[verb]-ing.

´ Statements and questions [verb]-ba-ou´n-la. [verb]-påAuM;la;" how about [verb]- [someone] [someone] [someone] does/did ing more, could [verb]-ba-deh. [verb]-påty\" [verb] you continue

[someone] [someone] does/did [someone] [verb]-ing? (L 5.4) [verb]-dha˘ la´? [verb]-qla;" [verb]? Exclamations

[ba etc] [Ba etc] [who/what/which] Theiq [verb]-da- qip\ [verb]-tap´" it’s really [verb] ! (L

´ [verb]-dha˘ leh? [verb]-ql´" does/did [verb]? be´h! 9.1) [someone] [someone] [someone] will [verb]-laiq-ta! [verb]-luik\ta" Wow! It’s [verb] ! [verb]-meh. [verb]-my\" [verb]

[someone] [someone] will [someone] Note 1. The polite suffix -ba/-pa is not obligatory in requests. [verb]-ma˘ la´? [verb]-mla;" [verb]? You will hear requests and commands in the form “[verb]” and

[ba etc] [Ba etc] [who/what/which] “ma˘ -[verb]-ne´ h”; but a request with no polite suffix can sound [verb]-ma˘ le´h? [verb]-ml´" will [verb]? very peremptory, so it is prudent to use it in all requests until

[someone] [someone] [someone] does/did you are sure of what you are doing. ma˘ -[verb]-ba-bu´. m-[verb]-påB¨;" not/ will not [verb] Note 2. The verb suffix -ye´h is nowadays virtually confined to a

[someone] [someone] does/did [someone] couple of polite formulaic inquiries and to questions implying [verb]-ye´h-la´? [verb]-r´>la;" [verb]? – I find it disbelief: “Do you really like it?! (I thought you’d hate it.)” etc. hard to believe. 2

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 162 Burmese By Ear Appendix 4 Numbers 163

APPENDIX 4 Weakening with numbers OUTLINE DESCRIPTION OF THE BURMESE NUMBER tiq + ya ta˘ ya 100 100 SYSTEM hniq + ya hna˘ ya 200 200 k’un-hniq + ya k’un-na˘ ya 700 700 Figures in Burmese script The Voicing Rule 012345678910 --q + s’eh ---s’eh e.g. c’auq-s’eh, shiq-s’eh 60, 80

012345678910 --a˘ + s’eh ---s’eh e.g. ta˘ s’eh, hna˘ s’eh, k’un-na˘ s’eh 10, 20, 70

´ ´ -- + s’eh ---zeh e.g. thou´n-zeh, le-zeh, nga-zeh 30, 40, 50 The number system

Compound numbers 1 tiq 1 s’e´h-tiq 11 hna˘ s’e´h-tiq 21 shiq-t’aun nga´-ya c’auq-s’eh(-ne´h) hniq: 8562

2 hniq 2 s’e´h-hniq 12 hna˘ s’e´h-hniq 22 eight thousand five hundred six tens (and) two: 8562

´ ´

3 thou´n 3 s’e´h-thoun 13 hna˘ s’e´h-thoun 23 The initial ta˘ - in a compound number beginning with ta˘ s’eh

´ ´

4 le´ 4 s’e´h-le 14 hna˘ s’e´h-le 24 or ta˘ t’aun is frequently omitted; e.g.

´ ´ ´ ´

5 nga´ 5 s’e´h-nga 15 hna˘ s’e´h-nga 25 ta˘ s’e´h-ko usually s’e´h-ko 19

´ 6 c’auq 6 s’e´h-c’auq 16 hna˘ s’e´h-c’auq 26 ta˘ t’au´n-nga´-ya usually t’au´n-nga-ya 1500 7 k’un(-hniq) 7 s’e´h-k’un 17 hna˘ s’e´h-k’un 27 (-hniq) (-hniq) Ordinal numbers

8 shiq 8 s’e´h-shiq 18 hna˘ s’e´h-shiq 28 There are three ways of expressing ordinal numbers.

´ ´

9 ko´ 9 s’e´h-ko 19 hna˘ s’e´h-ko 29 1. Ordinal numbers taken from Pali 10 ta˘ s’eh 10 hna˘ s’eh 20 thou´n-zeh 30 pTm pa˘ t’a˘ ma´ first [Pali pathama] dutiy du´-tı´-ya´ second [Pali dutiya] 10 ta˘ s’eh 10 ta˘ ya 100 ta˘ t’aun 1000 ttiy ta´-tı´-ya´ third [Pali tatiya]

20 hna˘ s’eh 20 hna˘ ya 200 hna˘ t’aun 2000 stutÊ sa˘ douq-t’a´ fourth [Pali catuttha]

´ ´ 30 ´

thoun-zeh 30 thoun-ya 300 thoun-daun 3000 p◊ßm pyin-za˘ ma´ fifth [Pali pañ cama]

´ ´

40 le´-zeh 40 le-ya 400 le-daun 4000 S™m

s’aq-t’a˘ ma´ sixth [Pali chat• t• hama]

´ ´ 50 ´ nga-zeh 50 nga-ya 500 nga-daun 5000 qt†m thaq-t’a˘ ma´ seventh [Pali satthama] 60 c’auq-s’eh 60 c’auq-ya 600 c’auq-t’aun 6000 A™m aq-t’a˘ ma´ eighth [Pali at• t• hama] 70 ˘ ˘ ˘ k’un-nas’eh 70 k’un-naya 700 k’un-nat’aun 7000 nwm na˘ wa˘ ma´ ninth [Pali navama]

80 shiq-s’eh 80 shiq-ya 800 shiq-t’aun 8000

dqm da´-tha˘ ma´ tenth [Pali dasama]

´ ´ 90 ko´-zeh 90 ko-ya 900 ko-daun 9000 Most people know the first three of this list, but the remainder are less and less frequently used the higher they come up the 0 thoun-nya´ zero ta˘ t’aun 1,000

number scale. Pali ordinals above da´-tha˘ ma´ are used in scholarly ta˘ k u´ ta˘ thau´n

’ 1 10,000 texts, but are rare in colloquial speech.

ta˘ s’eh 10 ta˘ theın´ 100,000 ˘ ˘ ´ taya 100 tathan 1,000,000 2. In some contexts cardinal numbers are used as ordinals; e.g.

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

164 Burmese By Ear Appendix 4 Numbers 165 Sy\tn\; s’eh-da´n Tenth Standard The Round Number Rule:

(in school) COUNTWORD+NUMBER+TENS/HUNDREDS etc

´ e®Kak\Sy\. kui;N˙s\T´ c’auq-s’e´h ko´-hniq-t’eh in his 69th year Standard order Round number order

3. Order is expressed by the formula CARDINAL + number + countword countword + number + tens/hundreds etc

´ COUNTWORD + myauq (or myauq-te´h) NOUN; e.g. hna˘ s’eh-ko´ ma˘ niq mı´-niq thoun- zeh

r˙s\Âkim\e®mak\ shiq-cein-myauq hniq- Eighth Annual 29 minutes 30 minutes

´ N˙s\pt\lv\ paq-leh a˘ sı-a´˘ we Meeting (“eight- N˙s\Sy\.kui;mins\ mins\ quM;Sy\ Asv\;Aew; time-myauq ”minutes three tens”

annual meeting”)

´ ´ ´ ´ cå;rk\e®mak\t´. en> nga´-yeq-myauq-te´h ne´ the fifth day (“five- le-ya ko-ze´h ko mi-ta mi-ta nga-ya day-myauq-téh 499 metres 500 metres day”) el;ra kui;Sy\.kui; m^ta m^ta cå; ra

Sy\.N˙s\eyak\e®mak\ s’e´h-hna˘ yauq-myauq the twelfth soldier “metres five hundreds”

ss\qa; siq-tha´ (“twelve-person-

´ myauq soldier”) hna˘ ya hna˘ s’e´h-nga´ daw-la daw-la hna˘ ya´-thoun- zeh 225 dollars 230 dollars N˙s\ra. N˙s\Sy\. cå; edÅla edÅla N˙s\ra. quM;Sy\ Counting “dollars 200 + 3 tens” Two-part number phrases Standard order: NUMBER + COUNTWORD ta˘ ya s’e´h-c’auq tan tan ta˘ ya´ ta˘ s’eh 116 tons 110 tons

number countword ts\ra Sy\.e®Kak\tn\ tn\ ts\ra. ts\ Sy\

thou´nmi-ta 3 metres

s’e´h-nga´ ma˘ niq 15 minutes “tons 100 + 1 ten”

´ thou´n-ze´h-ko daw-la 39 dollars EXCEPTION: The word s’eh "ten" on its own, although it ends in Weakening with countwords (as for tens and hundreds etc): 0, is not subject to the Round Number Rule. ˘ Sy\m^ta s’eh mi-ta 10 metres tiq + mi-ta tami-ta 1 metre Sy\edÅla s e´h-hniq ma˘ niq s e´h-hna˘ ma˘ niq s’eh daw-la 10 dollars

’ + ’ 12 minutes Sy\mins\ thoun-ze´h k’un-hniq + daw-la thou´n-ze´h k’un-na˘ daw-la s’eh ma˘ niq 10 minutes 37 dollars Three-part number phrases Standard order: NOUN + NUMBER + COUNTWORD Number phrases with units of measurement like the metres, dollars and minutes in the examples above have only two components: the number and the countword. When you are specifying quantities of some substance, the number phrase

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 166 Burmese By Ear Appendix 4 Numbers 167 contains three components: the noun + the number + the count- other than -k’u´/- g u´, sometimes called “classifying countwords” or word (i.e. the measuring unit). Examples: “classifiers”; e.g.:

noun number countword number phrase noun number countword number phrase

´ laın-ju´ c’auq k’weq six glasses of limejuice ti-shaq hna˘ t’eh two T-shirts limejuice six glass luic\;Âkø; e®Kak\ K∑k\ T-shirt two garment (using the countword for

t^r˙t\ N˙s\ Tv\ clothes)

Peq-si le pa˘ lın´ six bottles of Pepsi ´ ba´w-pin ta˘ c’aun one ball-point pen Pepsi four bottle pk\s^ el; pulc\; ball pen one long thing (using the countword for

eBapc\ ts\ eK¥ac\; pens, knives, teeth, sticks, p’a˘ lin thou´n leiq three rolls of film legs etc)

film three roll Plc\ quM; lip\ meiq-s’we thou´n yauq three friends

friend three person (using the countword for

bi-ya s’e´h-c’auq bu´ sixteen cans of beer mit\eS∑ quM; eyak\ persons)

´ beer sixteen can ´ ´ B^ya Sy\.e®Kak\ B¨; mI-dhI hna˘ s’e´h-le´ loun 24 light bulbs light bulb twenty round (using the countword for m^;q^; four thing round things: balls, fruit, Counting as “items” N˙s\Sy\.el; luM; cans, etc)

Burmese uses exactly the same pattern when counting discrete items such as hamburgers, biscuits, calendars etc. In place of the k’we´ hna˘ kaun two dogs dog two animal (using the countword for unit of measurement used in the examples above, you use the eK∑; N˙s\ ekac\ countword -k’u´ (or voiced -gu´) “item”. animals, birds, fish, etc)

´ ´ noun number countword number phrase seq-beın´ le zı four bicycles bicycle four mount (using the countword for han-ba-ga c’auq k’u´ six hamburgers sk\B^; el; s^; hamburger six item vehicles, cars, boats, etc, hn\Bagå e®Kak\ Ku and riding animals) pyeq- shiq k’u´ eight calendars The Round Number Rule: k’a˘ dein eight item NOUN+NUMBER+TENS/HUNDREDS etc calendar r˙s\ Ku ®pkdin\ In three-part number phrases containing a round number, the

round number replaces the countword: po´-sa˘ kaq thou´n gu´ three postcards noun number round number number phrase postcard three item replacing countword

pui≥skd\ quM; Ku po´-sa˘ kaq thou´n zeh thirty postcards postcard three ten “Classifying” countwords pui≥skd\ quM; Sy\ Some discrete items are placed in “classes” for counting purposes, and for these items there are specific countwords,

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 168 Burmese By Ear Appendix 4 Numbers 169

Days in the month ti-shaq hna˘ t’aun two thousand T- rk\en≥ T-shirt two thousand shirts yeq-ne´ day of the month t^r˙t\ N˙s\ eTac\ Sy\.e®Kak\rk\en≥ s’e´h-c’auq yeq-ne´ the sixteenth

N˙s\Sy\rk\en≥ ˘ ´

siq-tha´ thoun ya three hundred hnas’eh yeq-ne´ the twentieth soldier three hundred soldiers By\N˙s\rk\en≥l´" Beh-hna˘ yeq-ne´-le´h? What date?

ss\qa; quM; ra By\N˙s\rk\en≥ laml´" Beh-hna˘ yeq-ne´ la- What date will

˘ ´ ´ sı-ga´ ˘ req hna˘ ya´ nga zeh 250 cigarettes maleh? (they) come? cigarette 200 + 5 ten s^;krk\ N˙s\ra. cå; Sy\ Weekdays

en≥ ne´ day (of the week)

DATES tngçeN∑en≥ Ta˘ nın-ga´ ˘ nwe-ne´ Sunday tnlçaen≥ Ta˘ nın-la-ne´ ´ Monday Years Agçåen≥ In-ga-ne´ Tuesday

N˙s\ hniq year budÎh¨;en≥ Bouq-da˘ hu´-ne´ Wednesday

-Ku -k’u´/-gu´ unit Âkaqped;en≥ Ca-dha˘ ba˘ de´-ne´ Thursday Example: 1964 = eqaÂkaen≥ Thauq-ca-ne´ Friday

ts\eTac\. kui;ra. e®Kak\Sy\. el;Ku N˙s\

senen≥ Sa˘ ne-ne´ Saturday

´ ´ Ta˘ t’au´n ko-ya c’auq-s’e´h le-gu´ hniq By\en≥ laml´" Beh-ne´ la-ma˘ le´h? What day will One thousand nine hundreds six tens four units year (they) come? senen≥ lamy\" Sa˘ ne-ne´ la-meh. They are coming on

Seasons Saturday.

mui;raq^ mo´-ya-dhi rainy season (June to October) eSac\;raq^ s’au´n-ya-dhi cool season (November to February) eN∑raq^ If you find it difficult to memorise the names of the days of the nwe-ya-dhi hot season (March to May) week don’t worry unduly: most of the people you are likely to meet will know the English names anyway. Months l la´ month Dates in Burmese run from large units to small:

g¥n\nwår^l Jan-na˘ wa-ri-la´ January ts\eTac\ kui;ra el;Sy\. r˙s\Ku N˙s\' g¥n\nwår^l' el;rk\en≥

´ ´ ePePa\wår^l P’e-baw-wa-ri-la´ February Ta˘ t’aun ko´-ya le-ze´h shiq-k’u´ hniq, Jan-na˘ wa-ri-la´, le-yeq-ne´ mt\l Maq-la´ March, etc One-thousand nine-hundred four-tens eight-units year, January month, fourth day There is a traditional Burmese calendar, with months based on = The fourth of January, nineteen hundred and forty eight the waxing and waning of the moon and a year that starts in April, but most Burmese are familiar with the Western system TIME and the English names of the months, so the Burmese month Hours and minutes names are not given here. AK¥in\ a˘ c’ein time nar^ na-yi hour

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 170 Burmese By Ear Appendix 4 Numbers 171

mins\ mı´-niq or ma˘ niq minute PRICES

quM;nar^ thou´n-na-yi three o’clock

´ KuN˙s\nar^ eZ; or APui; ze´or a˘ p’o price

k’un-na˘ na-yi seven o’clock puik\SM ec∑ e®Kak\nar^K∑´ c’auq-na-yi-gwe´h half past six o’clock or paiq-s’an or ngwe money

k¥p\ 1 ´ kui;nar^ Sy\.cå;mins\ ko´-na-yi s’e´h-nga 9.15 caq kyat (= 100 pya) ®pa; ´ ma˘ niq pya pya (100 pya = 1 Sy\nar^ Sy\mins\ kyat)

s’eh-na-yi s’eh 10.10 r˙s\k¥p\

ma˘ niq shiq-caq eight kyats (often

´ el;nar^ ´ written 8/-)

le-na-yi thoun-ze´h- 4.35 r˙s\Sy\. e®Kak\k¥p\

quM;Sy\.cå;mins\ nga´-ma˘ niq shiq-s’e´h-c’auq-caq eighty-six kyats By\AK¥in\ laml´ ´ (86/-) Beh a˘ c’ein la-ma˘ leh? What time will you Sy\.r˙s\k¥p\ e®Kak\®pa;

come? s’e´h-shiq-caq c’auq- eighteen kyats and

pya´ six pya (18/06) N˙s\k¥p\K∑´ ´ The Round Number Rule applies to minutes (other than “10 hna˘ caq-k’weh two kyats and a half

minutes” itself) as it does to other units: (2 kyats and 50 mins\ cå;Sy\ mı´-niq nga´-zeh 50 minutes pya, 2/50) (minutes 5 tens) ts\nar^ mins\ N˙s\Sy\ ta˘ na-yi mı´-niq hna˘ s’eh 1.20 or 1 hr and Note 1. The pya was in use till the early 1990s, but inflation 20 mins (1 hr, drove its value so low that it is no longer in use today (2001). mins 2 tens) The word is sometimes used for prices in US or UK currency,

when pya = US cent or UK penny. Sy\.N˙s\nar^ mins\ s’e´h-hna˘ na-yi mı´-niq le´- 12.40 or 12 hrs

el;Sy\ zeh and 40 mins After numbers the Voicing Rule makes caq into jaq, and pya´ into

(12 hrs, mins 4 bya´, except after -q, or after hna˘ - or na˘ - (see the note in Section tens)

10):

el;k¥p\ le´-jjjaq hna˘ s’e´h- four kyats and K4/25

Parts of the day

´ ´ ´ N˙s\Sy\.cå;®pa; nga-bbya´ twenty-five mnk\ ma˘ neq morning, a.m. pya ven nya´-ne afternoon, p.m. e®Kak\k¥p\ r˙s\®pa; c’auq-ccaq shiq- six kyats and K6/08

v nya´ night, evening ´ ´ pya´ eight pya mnk\ KuN˙s\nar^ ma˘ neq k’un-na˘ na-yi 7.45 a.m.

KuN˙s\k¥p\ N˙s\®pa; k’un-na˘ caq seven kyats K7/02

el;Sy\.cå;mins\ le´-ze´h-nga-ma˘ niq ´

hna˘ pya´ and two pya v kui;nar^ mins\N˙s\Sy\ nya´ ko´-na-yi mı´-niq 9.20 p.m. hna˘ s’eh The Round Number Rule applies to currency as to other units:

en≥ly\ ne´-leh midday ´ ®pa; cå;Sy\ pya´ nga-zeh pya five tens 50 pya

vqn\;eKåc\ nya´ tha˘ gaun midnight ´

el;Sy\.el;k¥p\ le´-ze´h-le-jaq forty-four K44/40

´ ®pa; el;Sy\ pya´ le-zeh kyat, pya four tens

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 172 Burmese By Ear Appendix 5 Topical vocabularies 173

APPENDIX 5 When kyat are counted in round numbers, the word k¥p\ caq is TOPICAL VOCABULARIES usually omitted: N˙s\Sy\' hna˘ s’eh or (money) two K20 Topical vocabularies

ec∑N˙s\Sy\ ngwe hna˘ s’eh tens 5.1 Food and drinks

el;ra' le´-ya or ngwe (money) four K400 5.2 Sites and placenames ec∑el;ra le´-ya hundreds 5.3 Kin terms 5.4 You and I The number ten, with currency as with other units, is exempt 5.5 This, that and what from the Round Number Rule: 5.6 Traditional Burmese clothing Sy\edÅla s’eh-daw-la ten-dollar $10 Sy\mt\ s’eh-maq ten-mark DM10 TOPICAL VOCABULARY 5.1 FOOD AND DRINKS except with Burmese currency: ts\Sy\' ta˘ s’eh or ngwe money one ten K10 The list below gives a selection of common items to choose from and add to. Smaller cafés and restaurants tend to specialise in ec∑ts\Sy\ ta˘ s’eh one type of cuisine, mostly Indian, Chinese, Burmese or Euro- pean, according to the racial origins of the proprietor. Larger es- Fractions of a kyat (in use till the 1980s) tablishments offer a wider range.

ts\mt\ ta˘ maq one quarter K-/25 quM;mt\ thou´n-maq three quarters K-/75

Drinks

´ cå;m¨; ´ nga-mu five mu K-/50 a˘ ye Arv\ juice lein-maw-ye lim\ema\rv\ orange juice than-ba˘ ya-ye qMpurarv\ lime juice can-ye ÂkMrv\ sugar cane juice p’yaw-ye eP¥a\rv\ fruit juice (“infused juice”) bı´-laq-ye Bilp\rv\ sweet carbonated drink (“foreign juice”)

la˘ p’eq-ye lk\Pk\rv\ tea

nwa´-no´, no´ N∑a;Nui≥ or just Nui≥ milk no´-e´ Nui≥eA; cold milk p’a-lu-da Pål¨då faluda

ye er water

ye-nwe´-jan ereN∑;Âkm\; plain tea (“water + warm + crude”) ye-jeq-e´ erk¥k\eA; chilled boiled water (“water + boiled + cold”) a˘ yeq Ark\ alcoholic drink

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

174 Burmese By Ear Appendix 5 Topical vocabularies 175

Café snacks nga´ cå; fish ye-ge´h-mou´n erK´mun\≥ ice cream u´ U egg

keiq-mou´n kit\mun\≥ cake ceq-u´ Âkk\U chicken egg

´ i-ca-kwe A^Âkaek∑; dough stick be´h-u´ B´U duck egg

bi-sa˘ kiq B^sks\ biscuit (cookie) pe´h-bya p´®pa; tofu, bean curd

´ ´ pu-dın p¨dc\; pudding (like a set pyi-jı-nga´ ®pv\Âk^;cå; squid

custard) nga˘ shı´n cå;r˙√\≥ eel

paun-mou´n epåc\mun\≥ bread a˘ the´h Aq´ or Aqv\; liver

nan-bya´ nM®pa; Indian nan bread ka˘ li-za kl^za giblets

´ t’aw-baq eTapt\ butter nan-yo´ nMRui; rib

paun-mouń t’aw-baq-thouq epåc\mun\≥eTapt\qut\ buttered bread weq-u-jauń wk\AëK¥ac\; sausage

´ ´

nan-bya t’aw-baq-thouq nM®pa;eTapt\qut\ buttered nan ga˘ na´n k%n\; crab pe´h-byouq p´‘pt\ boiled dried peas k’a˘ yu´ KRu oyster sa˘ mu-s’a sm¨Sa samusa theq-thaq-luq qk\qt\l∑t\ vegetarian food pa˘ la-ta plata parata p’eq-t’ouq Pk\Tup\ wonton – Methods of cooking pauq-si epåk\s^ Chinese dumpling -p’ouq -Put\ baked kaw-bya´n-(leiq)-jaw eka\®pn\≥(lip\)eÂka\ spring roll -hlaw -el˙a\ parched

a˘ thouq Aqup\ dressed salad -kin/-gin -kc\ baked, roast, grilled

´ ´ jın-dhouq g¥c\;qup\ fresh ginger salad -pau´n/-baun -epåc\; steamed

´ k’a˘ yan-jin-dhı-dhouq´ Krn\;K¥√\q^;qup\ tomato salad -pyouq/-byouq -‘pt\ boiled ba˘ zun-dhouq puz∑n\qup\ prawn salad -caw/-jaw -eÂka\ fried -s’i-byan -S^®pn\ stewed Hot meals -thouq -qut\ dressed salad

– Starches -a˘ c’auq -Ae®Kak\ dried

´ t’a˘ mın Tmc\; cooked rice kaun-lou´n ekac\luM; whole (e.g. chicken)

´ k’auq-s’weh eKåk\S∑´ noodles -lou´n -luM; ball (e.g. fish-ball)

´ nan-jı´ nn\;Âk^; thick noodles a˘ saq Asp\ spicy, hot to taste ca-zan ÂkazM vermicelli a˘ c’in AK¥√\ sour tasting a˘ c’o AK¥oi sweet

– Proteins c’o-c’in K¥oiK¥√\ sweet and sour

a˘ tha´ Aqa; meat

weq-tha´ wk\qa; pork (“pig meat”) – Names of dishes

´ ´ a˘ meh-dha Am´qa; beef (“beef meat”) hın´ hc\; curry

s’eiq-tha Sit\qa; mutton (“goat meat”) t’a˘ mın-jaw´ Tmc\;eÂka\ fried rice

´ ´ beh-dha B´qa; duck (“duck meat”) dan-bauq t’a˘ mın´ dn\epåk\Tmc\; pulao rice

ceq-tha Âkk\qa; chicken (“poultry meat”) k’auq-s’we´h-jaw eKåk\S∑´eÂka\ fried noodles ba˘ zun puz∑n\ prawn k’auq-s’we´h-byouq eKåk\S∑´‘pt\ boiled noodles

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

176 Burmese By Ear Appendix 5 Topical vocabularies 177

´ ´ a˘ seın-jaw´ Asim\;eÂka\ fried vegetables k’a˘ yan-dhı Krm\;q^; aubergine, brinjal,

tauq-tauq-caw etak\etak\eÂka\ fried minced meat eggplant

´ ´ ´ mou´n-hın-ga´ mun\≥hc\;Kå; fish soup eaten with noodles k’a˘ yan-jin-dhı Krm\;K¥√\q^; tomato

to´-za˘ ya tui≥sra to-zaya kaiq-lan kuik\ln\ Chinese kale

hın-jo´ hc\;K¥oi thin soup ka˘ nyuq kV∑t\ asparagus

ka˘ zu´n kn\s∑n\; water cress

– Flavourings ka˘ zu´n-u´ kn\s∑n\;U sweet potato

´ nga˘ pı´ cå;pi or cpi fish paste ma˘ jı-dhı´ mn\k¥v\;q^; tamarind

´ peh-nga˘ pı´ p´cå;pi or cpi soy bean sauce moun-hnyın´ mun\vc\; mustard leaf

a˘ c’in AK¥√\ sour sauce moun-la(-u´) mun\la(U) radish jın´ g¥c\; or K¥c\; ginger moun-la-u´-ni mun\laUn^ beetroot

nga˘ youq cRut\ chilli moun-la-u´-wa mun\laUwå carrot

s’a Sa; salt nga˘ youq-thı´ cRut\q^; chilli

nga˘ youq-kau´n cRut\ekac\; pepper (corns) p’a˘ youn PRuM pumpkin

pa´n-gaw-bi pn\;egÅB^ cauliflower

– Plants pe´h p´ bean, pea, pulse

-pin -pc\ plant pe´h-bin-bauq p´pc\epåk\ bean sprouts

-thı´ -q^; fruit peh-dau´n-she p´etac\.r˙v\ runner bean

-yweq -R∑k\ leaf peın-u´ ´ pin\;U taro

-u´ -U tuber pyau´n-bu e®pac\;P¨; maize, sweet corn

-yo´ -Rui; stem s’a˘ laq-yweq Slt\R∑k\ lettuce

´ ´

-pan -pn\; flower tha˘ k’wa-dhı´ qK∑a;q^; cucumber

´ -sı´ -es. seed youn-ba˘ de(di)-dhı´ RuM;pet(or t^)q^; lady’s fingers, okra

– Vegetables – Fruit

´ ´ ´ ´

hın-dhı´ -hın-yweq hc\;q^;hc\;R∑k\ vegetable aw-za-dhı Âqzaq^; custard apple

(“curry-fruits + curry-leaves”) ceq-mauq-thı´ Âkk\emak\q^; rambutan

´ ´ ´ a-lu Aal¨; potato cweh-gaw-dhı´ kÁ´ekaq^; pomelo

´ ´ ´ ´

bu-dhı´ B¨;q^; gourd du-yın-dhı d¨;rc\;q^; durian

c’in-baun K¥√\epåc\ roselle lein-maw-dhı´ lim\ema\q^; tangerine

´ ´ ´ ceq-hın-ga´ -dhı Âkk\hc\;Kå;q^; bitter gourd ma-la˘ ka-dhı malkaq^; guava

´ ceq-thun-byu Âkk\q∑n\®Pø garlic ma˘ yan-dhı´ mrn\;q^; marian

ceq-thun-ni Âkk\q∑n\n^ onion meq-man-dhı´ mk\mn\;q^; damson

gaw-bi-douq egÅB^Tup\ cabbage meq-mun-dhı´ mk\m∑n\q^; peach

´ ´ ´

gaw-ra˘ k’a-dhı´ egårKå;q^; chayote mın-guq-thı mc\;k∑t\q^; mangosteen

hmo mOi mushroom na-naq-thı´ nant\q^; pineapple

´ hmyiq mYs\ bamboo shoots nga˘ pyaw-dhı´ c˙k\ep¥aq^; banana

´ oun-dhı´ Aun\;q^; coconut

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

178 Burmese By Ear Appendix 5 Topical vocabularies 179

´ p’a˘ ye´h-dhı Pr´q^; water melon yaq-kweq rp\k∑k\ neighbourhood, quarter

pan-dhı´ pn\;q^; apple myo´-neh ‘mi>ny\ Township

´ ´ ´

peın-neh-dhı piN~´q^; jackfruit taın´ tuic\; Division

sa˘ byiq-thı´ sp¥s\q^; grape pyi-neh ®pv\ny\ State

shauq-thı er˙ak\q^; grapefruit Bo-jouq La´n buil\K¥op\lm\; Bogyoke Street

(but tastes like lemon) Ma˘ ha Ban-du´-la´ La´n mhabNÎollm\; Maha Bandoola Street

t’aw-baq-thı eTapt\q^; avocado pear A˘ naw-ya˘ t’a La´n Aena\rTalm\; Anawrahta Street

´ ´ ´ than-ba˘ ya-dhı qMpraq^; lime Ka´n-na Lan km\;na;lm\; Strand Road

´ tha˘ yeq-thı qrk\q^; mango Koun-dheh La´n kun\qv\lm\; Merchant Street

´ ´ thi-ho-zı´ q^huiL\es. cashew nuts Pa´n-zo-dan pn\;Sui;tn\; Pansodan Street

thiq-taw-dhı qs\eta\q^; pear Shwe Boun-dha La´n eRWBuMqalm\; Shwe Bontha Street

´ ´ ´ thın-baw-dhı qeBçaq^; papaya Pye La´n ®pv\lm\; Pyay Road (Prome

´ zı-dhı´ S^;q^; wild plum Road)

U Wı´-sa-ra´ La´n Ë;wisarlm\; U Wisara Road – Other foods 88 Bo-jouq La´n 88 buil\K¥op\lm\; 88 Bogyoke Street

paun-mou´n epåc\mun\≥ bread 45 Ma˘ ha Ban-du´-la´ 45 mhabNÎollm\; 47 Maha Bandoola

´ t’aw-baq eTapt\ butter La´n Street bi-sa˘ kiq B^sks\ biscuit, cookie

c’´ıs K¥is\ cheese Religious centres

ngan-pya-ye cM®parv\ fish sauce p’a˘ ya´ Bura; pagoda

nwa´-no´ N∑a;Nui≥ milk (also used to refer to Buddha images and the Buddha himself)

´ tha˘ ja qÂka; sugar Shwe-da˘ goun P’a˘ ya´ eRWtig uMBura; Shwedagon Pagoda

´ s’i S^ oil S’u´-le P’a˘ ya S¨;elBura; Sule Pagoda

´ ´

kaw-p’i-hmou´n eka\P^mOn\≥ instant coffee Nga-daq-cı´P’a˘ ya cå;Tp\Âk^;Bura; Ngadatkyi Pagoda

no´-hmou´n Nui≥mOn\≥ milk powder Bo-ta˘ t’aun P’a˘ ya´ buil\ts\eTac\Bura; Botahtaung Pagoda

no´-zi Nui≥S^ condensed milk Meh-la˘ mu´ P’a˘ ya´ my\lmuBura; Mailamu Pagoda

tha˘ ja´-loun qÂka;luM; sweets, candy ze-di est^ pagoda

Ka˘ ba-e´ Ze-di kmıaeA;est^ World Peace Pagoda

´ ´ p’oun-jı´caun Bun\;Âk^;ek¥ac\; monastery TOPICAL VOCABULARY 5.2 yeiq-tha rip\qa meditation centre SITES AND PLACENAMES Ma˘ ha-si Yeiq-tha mhasv\rip\qa The Mahasi Meditation Centre

A selection of the names of places and sites you may need to ba˘ li bl^ mosque

´ ´ know p’a˘ ya´ shiq-k’o-jaun Bura;r˙iKui;ek¥ac\; church (“lord-revere- Homes and addresses monastery”)

ein Aim\ house, home

la´n lm\; road, street Offices taiq tuik\ building you´n RuM; office

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 180 Burmese By Ear Appendix 5 Topical vocabularies 181

Myan-ma T’a˘ reh-beh ®mn\maTry\by\RuM; Myanmar Travel office ´ Public buildings

Youn RuM ´ wun-jı-you´ n wn\Âk^;RuM; ministry (“Minister’s youn large public building

office”) bu-da-youn B¨taRuM railway station (“station build- than-you´n qMRuM; embassy (“envoy- ing”)

office”) youq-shin-youn Rup\r˙c\RuM cinema (“image-moving + Byı´-tı´-sha´ Than-you´n ®bitiqYqMRuM; British Embassy building”) sk\RuM A˘ me-rı´-kan Than- Aemrikn\qMRuM; American Embassy seq-youn factory (“machine building”)

Alup\RuM

you´n a˘ louq-youn workshop (“work building”)

´ tirsÍan\RuM Aw-sa˘ tre´-lya´ Than- ÂqseÂt;l¥qMRuM; Australian Embassy ta˘ reiq-s’an-youn zoo (“animal building”)

AqMlWc\.RuM

youń a˘ than-hlwıń-youn broadcasting station (“sound- le-yin-youń elya√\RuM; airline office broadcast-building”)

˘ ®mn\ma.AqM ´

T’aın´ Le-yin-youn Tuic\;elya√\RuM; Thai Airways office Myan-ma´ Athan Voice of Myanmar (national

Bı´-ma´n Le-yin-youn Bimn\;elya√\RuM; Bangladesh Biman broadcasting station)

office s’e´-youn eS;RuM hospital (“medicine building”)

´ ´ eS;Kn\;

Myan-ma Le-yin-you´n ®mn\maelya√\RuM; Myanmar Airways s’e-gan clinic (“medicine room”) office ye´h-t’a-na´ r´@an police station

eTac\ ´

ta˘ ya´-youn tra;RuM; law court t’aun prison I´n-sein T’aun Ac\;sin\eTac\ Insein Jail Hotels and restaurants ein-dha Aim\qa toilet ho-teh huity\ hotel (or restaurant)

ka-ra-o-ke karaAuiek karaoke Markets and shops

Sa˘ t’a˘ rın´ Ho-teh sTrc\;huity\ Strand Hotel ze eZ; market

Da˘ goun Ho-teh dg un\huity\ Dagon Hotel Bo-jouq Ze´ buil\K¥op\eZ; Bogyoke Market

´ ´

Sa˘ k’a´n-dha Ho-teh sKn\;qahuity\ Sakantha Hotel Thein-jı Ze qim\Âk^;eZ; Theingyi Market

Yo´-ma´ Ho-teh Rui;mhuity\ Yoma Hotel La˘ ha-byin Ze lha®pc\eZ; The Open Air Market

In-ya´ Leiq Ho-teh Ac\;ya;lip\huity\ Inya Lake Hotel s’ain Suic\ shop

Tha˘ ma˘ da´ Ho-teh qmμthuity\ President Hotel sa´-thauq-s’ain sa;eqak\Suic\ restaurant (“eat-drink + shop”) Ka˘ ra˘ weiq Ho-teh krwik\huity\ Karaweik Hall and a˘ e´-zain AeA;Suic\ cold drinks bar Restaurant (“cold things + shop”) “Buildings” la˘ p’eq-ye-zain lk\Pk\rv\Suic\ café (“tea shop”) taiq tuik\ brick or stone building daq-poun-zain Dåt\puMSuic\ photography shop ban-daiq B%\tuik\ bank (“bank building”) (“photograph shop”) pya´-daiq ®ptuik\ museum (“exhibit building”) za˘ bin-hnyaq-s’ain SMpc\V˙p\Suic\ barber’s sa-daiq satuik\ post office (“letter building”) (“hair cut shop”) koun-daiq kun\tuik\ department store s’an-tha´-zain SMqSuic\ hairdresser’s

(“goods building”) (“hair beautify shop”) sa-cı´-daiq saÂkv\.tuik\ library (“text-study + building”) s’e´-zain eS;Suic\ chemist’s (“medicine shop”)

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

182 Burmese By Ear Appendix 5 Topical vocabularies 183

za˘ nı´ zn^; wife (deferential) Educational institutes k in-bu´n Kc\p∑n\; husband (deferential)

tk˚quil\ ’ teq-ka˘ tho university yauq-ca´ eyak¥\a; husband (casual)

rn\kun\tk˚quil\

Y an-goun Teq-ka˘ tho University of Yangon meın-ma´ ´ min\;m wife (casual)

´ ek¥ac\; ´

caun monastery, school yı-za´ rv\;sa; sweetheart, fiancé/e

´ ATk\tn\;ek¥ac\; a˘ t’eq-tan caun high school a˘ s’eq ASk\ sweetheart, fiancé/e

´ ek¥ac\;eSac\

caun-zaun hostel, dorm tha´ qa; son

tha˘ mı´ qm^; daughter

Open air places myı´ e®m; grandchild

´ pn\;®KM pan-jan garden, park meiq-s’we mit\eS∑ friend

´ (“flower enclosure”) u´-le Ë;el; uncle Uy¥a√\ u´-yin garden, park daw-daw/ a˘ daw edÅedÅ/AedÅ aunt

®pv\q¨>Uy¥a√\

Pyi-dhu´ U´ -yin People’s Park a˘ ma´ Am sister (older than self) ´ erk¨;kn\ ye-ku-gan swimming pool a˘ ko Akui brother (older than self)

(“water-cross + pool”) maun emac\ brother (of female, younger

gauq-kwın´ egåk\k∑c\; golf course (“golf field”) than self)

´ ´ ´ Aa;ksa;k∑c\; a-ka˘ za-gwın sports field nyi v^ brother (of male, younger than (“strength-play + field”) self) nyi-ma´ v^m sister (younger than self)

Transport tu t¨ nephew ´ elya√\k∑c\; le-yin-gwın air field (“air-vehicle + field”) tu-ma´ t¨m niece

le-zeiq elSip\ airport (“air port”)

´ thın-ba´ w-zeiq qeBçaSip\ dock, embarcation point Kin terms are frequently modified in one of two ways.

(“ship port”) 1. They may be duplicated, which has the effect of making them ka´-geiq ka;git\ bus depôt (“car gate”) sound more affectionate; e.g. m˙t\tuic\ hmaq-tain bus stop a˘ daw AedÅ aunt bu-da(-youn) B¨ta(RuM) railway station daw-daw edÅedÅ – auntie a˘ me Aem mother me-me emem – mummy TOPICAL VOCABULARY 5.3 and so on for almost all the kin terms. KIN TERMS

2. They may be followed by a suffix indicating relative age: most

a˘ p’o´ APui; grandfather frequently

´ AP∑a; a˘ p’wa grandmother -jı´ -Âk^; older

AeP a˘ p’e father -le´ -el; younger

Aem

a˘ me mother -laq -lt\ middle

a˘ myo´-tha Am¥oi;qa; husband, boyfriend

´ a˘ myo-tha˘ mı´ Am¥oi;qm^; wife, girlfriend

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 184 Burmese By Ear Appendix 5 Topical vocabularies 185

Examples: speaker)” and ca˘ ma´ “I (female speaker)”. Careful speakers

a˘ ko-jı´ AkuiÂk^; older brother say cun-daw and cun-ma´, but the slightly shortened forms

daw-le´ edÅel; younger aunt ca˘ naw and ca˘ ma´ are more common. Originally the words tha´-laq qa;lt\ middle son meant “your honoured servant” and “your female servant” respectively. TOPICAL VOCABULARY 5.4 (b) Among friends and family (and in some contexts to strangers) YOU AND I people often use kin terms for “I” – the words for “Uncle”, “Sister”, “Son” etc (L 10.4).

Burmese does have words that correspond to you and I and it (c) Teachers and Buddhist monks often use their title: S’a˘ ya

´ and other English pronouns, but most of the time it’s quite clear (male) or S’a˘ ya-ma´ (female) “Teacher”, P’oun-jı ´“Monk”, etc. from the situation who or what you are talking about, so people A lay person speaking to a monk refers to him/herself as simply leave out those words (L 1.3). For example, in the follow- Ta˘ byı´-daw (male) or Ta˘ byı´-daw-ma´ (female) “Your disciple”.

ing exchange: (d) Children and young women often use their names to refer to

S1 Caiq-teh-naw? You like it, don’t you? themselves; e.g. a girl named Ma´ Sa´n San might say

´ ´ S2 H ouq-ke´h. Caiq-pa-deh. Yes, I do. Sa´n San-leh caiq-pa-deh. sm\;sm\;l´ ’kik\påty\" I like it too. all you are in fact saying in Burmese is – Literally: “San San likes it too.” S1 Caiq-teh-naw? Like, right? S2 H ouq-ke´h. Caiq-pa-deh. True. Like. Words for he, she, and it are normally omitted in the same way as words for you and I. When you need one, you can use thu; e.g.

When you can’t avoid using a word for “you” (as you couldn’t, Ca˘ ma´ caiq-teh. k¥m ’kik\ty\" I like it. for example, in “I’m fine. How are you?”) you have a range of Thu ma˘ caiq-pa-bu´. q¨ m’kik\påB¨;" She doesn’t. options. The most common are listed below in order of frequency. Plural pronouns

Equivalents for English we, you (plural) and they are made

´ (a) kin terms, such as U-le´ “uncle”, Daw-daw “aunt”, etc (for by adding the suffix -do´ to the singular form; e.g.

more see L 7.1, 7.2) singular plural

(b) a title such as S’a˘ ya-ma´ “teacher”, Than-a˘ maq-cı´ ca˘ naw I ca˘ naw-do´ we (man speaking) “Ambassador”, A˘ shin-p’a˘ ya´ “Reverend Sir” ca˘ ma´ I ca˘ ma´-do´ we (woman speaking) (c) the person’s name (if you know it), normally with a prefix thu he, she, it thu-do´ they (see L 10.1) You and I using kin term (d) as a fallback, the word Meiq-s’we “friend” (L 10.4) Daw-daw I (Aunt) Daw-daw-do´ we Daw-daw you (Aunt) Daw-daw-do´ you (plural) Similarly there are occasions when you are forced to use a word You and I using title for “I” (e.g. when saying “And I am happy to have met you.”). S’a˘ ya I (Teacher) S’a˘ ya-do´ we The Burmese equivalents for “I” are equally varied (L 10.5). S’a˘ ya you (Teacher) S’a˘ ya-do´ you (plural)

You and I using name

´ ´ ´

(a) Perhaps the most common equivalents, in courteous speech Sa´n San I (San San) San San-do´ we

´ ´ ´ between social equals, are the words ca˘ naw “I (male Sa´n San you (San San) San San-do´ you (plural)

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 186 Burmese By Ear Appendix 5 Topical vocabularies 187

TOPICAL VOCABULARY 5.5

THIS, THAT AND WHAT Other interrogatives

beh By\ [noun] di d^ [noun] e´h-di A´d^ ho h ui [noun] ba [noun] what [noun]? Ba [noun]

which this [noun] [noun] that [noun] – Da ba ze´-leh? – What market is that? – då BaeZ;l´ " [noun]? (near speaker) that [noun] there (some – Da ba-le´h? – What is that? – då Bal´ " (near listener) way off) beh-lauq how much By\elak\ * Examples beh-lauq ca-ja for how long By\elak\ÂkaÂka

˘ By\N˙s\- By\N˙- di-beq d^Bk\ ´ ho-beq huiBk\ beh-hna- how many … also written beh-beq eh-di-beq By\N˙s\nar^

By\Bk\ this/that A´d^Bk\ that way beh-hna˘ -na-yi at what time beh-dou´n-ga´ when (in the past) By\tun\;k *

which way? way that way over there By\eta. ho-la´n huilm\; beh-da´w when (in the future)

By\lui * ´ ´ ´ beh-lan By\lm\; di-lan d^lm\; ´ beh-lo how, in what way eh-di-lan that road By\AK¥in\ * which road? this/that A´d^lm\; there beh-a˘ c’ein at what time beh-ha By\ha ho-ha huiha beh-dhu who By\q¨

road that road Ba®Ps\lui≥ which thing? di-ha d^ha e´h-di-ha A´d^ha that thing, ba-p’yiq-lo´ why ba-jau´n why, for what reason BaeÂkac\. * which one? this thing, that thing, that one Balup\(Pui≥) this one that one ba-louq or ba-louq-p’o´ why, to do what, what for

Referring to place *

beh-hma By\m˙a di-hma d^m˙a e´h-di-hma ho-hma huim˙a These items have corresponding demonstrative forms: ´ d^elak\' A´d^elak\

in which in this place, A´d^m˙a in that place, di-lauq, eh-di-lauq this much, that much di-lo, e´h-di-lo in this way, in that way d^lui' A´d^lui place? (at) (at) here in that place, (at) there (far dåeÂkac\.

where? right (at) off) da-jau´n for this reason ´ A´dåeÂkac\.

there eh-da-jau´n for that reason beh By\ di d^ e´h-di A´d^ ho hui etc to which to this place, to that place, to that place? (to) here (to) there distant place,

(to) where? (to) there TOPICAL VOCABULARY 5.6 beh-ga´ By\k di-ga´ d^k e´h-di-ga´ A´d^k ho-ga´ huik TRADITIONAL BURMESE CLOTHING

from which from this from that from that

´ gau´n-baun eKåc\;epåc\; gaung-baung (Burmese turban: a cloth place? place, place, distant place, from where? from here from there from there wrapped round head and tucked in to leave a corner protruding)

Referring to things

eın-ji´ Ak¥Ç upper garment (shirt, blouse, jacket, ba Ba da då e´h-da A´då ho-ha huiha coat) what thing? this/that that thing that thing tha˘ beq, pa˘ wa qBk\' pwå tabet or pawa (woman’s light scarf for thing over there formal occasions)

(also used to taiq-poun-eın-ji´ tuik\puMAk¥Ç man’s formal jacket mean “the loun-ji luMK¥v\ longyi, sarong wossaname”)

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

188 Burmese By Ear Appendix 6 Further reading 189 pa˘ s’o´ puSui; paso (long longyi for men, worn on APPENDIX 6 formal occasions) FURTHER READING t’a˘ mein TB^ tamein (long longyi for women, worn by stage dancers) Learning Burmese: self-study suq-ceh s∑p\k¥y\ vest, undershirt Spoken language baw-li eBa\l^ woman’s bodice Burmese: An Introduction to the Spoken Language, Books 1 and 2, by hnyaq-p’a˘ naq V˙p\Pinp\ thong sandals John Okell. 1994, Center for Burma Studies, Northern Illinois ja˘ pan-p’a˘ naq g¥pn\Pinp\ rubber sandals University. All in script and roman, with 12 tapes for Book 1 and 14 tapes for Book 2. Book 1 lays the groundwork, with copious exercises on tape, covering high-frequency sentence structures, pronunciation, question and answer, numbers, prices, want to, have to, please do, and so on. It ends with a set of dialogues, again with plenty of oral practice, covering 12 situations, including survival (shops, taxis and so on) and social (Where are you from? Are you married? Shall we meet again? and so on). Book 2 extends your competence in the 12 situations. Includes a full vocabulary, an outline grammar, and notes on social customs, talking about language, talking to monks. Beginning Burmese, by W S Cornyn and H D Roop. 1968, Yale Univ Press, 501pp, reprinted 1987. Book + 25 tapes including exercises. Dialogues, explanations and exercises, including sections introducing the script; copious drills. Helpful explanations of grammar. Tapes available separately. Inquiries to Center for Southeast Asian Studies, University of Hawaii, Moore 416, 1890 East-West Road, Honolulu HI 96822 A reference grammar of colloquial Burmese, 2 vols, by John Okell. 1969, London, Oxford UP. A description, no exercises, no training in script. Vol 2 is a list of grammatical forms with translations and examples. Burmese/Myanmar: a dictionary of grammatical forms, by John Okell and Anna Allott. Curzon Press, Richmond, England, Dec 2000. A dictionary-style listing of the grammatical suffixes of Burmese (the equivalents of with, to, when, if, etc).

Phrase books Practical Myanmar, by SUN Associates. 1995, Pranom Supavi- molpun, Book Promotion and Service Ltd, Bangkok. Small format, 347 pp. Contents: pronunciation and grammar, social

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 190 Burmese By Ear Appendix 6 Further reading 191

customs and home life, common phrases, arrival in Myanmar, The modern Myanmar-English pocket dictionary, by Saya U Soe travelling around, at the hotel, eating and drinking, shopping Thway. 2nd reprint 1996, Sape Hin-le-o-gyi, Yangon. 524 pp. and bargaining, making friends, living in Myanmar, at a English-Myanmar Dictionary, compiled and pub by Burma doctor’s office, post telegraph and telephone, ministries and Language Commission, 2001, Yangon. 1621 pp, with government departments, English Myanmar vocabulary. All examples of English usage. words are presented in three cols: English, roman, script. Students’ English-English/Myanmar dictionary, by SAM Translation Burmese phrase book, by David Bradley. 1988 and later editions, and Publishing. 1994, Rangoon. 1568 pp. Comprehensive, South Yarra Australia, Lonely Planet, 125 pp. V compact: and generous with examples. small pocket size. Has roman and Burmese script. Sections on: pronunciation, grammar, greetings, smalltalk, accommo- Burmese customs dation, getting around, around town, in the country, food, Culture shock Burma, by Saw Myat Yin. 1994, London, Kuperard. shopping, health, times and dates, numbers. 207 pp. Dos and Don’ts in Myanmar, by Win Pe. Book Promotion and Learning the script Service Ltd, Bangkok, 1996, pp 151-153 Burmese: an introduction to the script, by John Okell. 1994, Center for Burma Studies, Northern Illinois University. c.450 pages Where to find more and 7 x 60" tapes. The method largely avoids relying on Burma (World bibliographical series 132), by P. Herbert. Oxford, romanized equivalents: students learn by associating script Clio Press, 1991. 327 pp. A very well selected bibliography, symbols on the page with sound from the tapes. Includes with illuminating comments on almost all entries. sections on alphabetical order, the Burmese names of the letters, handwriting, and display typefaces. Book suppliers An introduction to the Burmese writing system, by H D Roop. 1972, John Randall, 47 Moreton Street, London SW1V 2NY. 071 630 Yale University Press. A programmed teach-yourself course, 5331 which assumes you are already familiar with the pronuncia- U Thant Thaw Kaung, Nandawun, Nº Y Thukhawady, Kaba Aye tion. Pagoda Road (next to Sedona Hotel), Yankin Tnsp, Yangon. Ph 571498, 542744. Email [email protected] or Literary style [email protected]. Burmese: an introduction to the literary style, by John Okell. 1994, U Ba Kyi, Pagan Bookshop, 100 37th Street, Yangon. Center for Burma Studies, Northern Illinois University. c 200 Stationery, Printing and Photographic Stores Trading, 72 Bo pp and 1 x 60’ tape of readings of the texts. A selection of Aung Kyaw Street, Botahtaung, Yangon passages from school readers, with “interludes” of material Tamarind Books, PO Box 49217, Greensboro, NC 27419, USA. ph from other sources, provided with vocabularies and exercises. 919 852-1905, fax -5510 White Lotus Co. Ltd, GOP Box 1141, Bangkok 10501 Thailand, ph Dictionaries 662-2861100, fax 662-2131175. ®mn\ma Agçlip\ABiDan\ ("Myanmar English dictionary"), by ®mn\masaAP∑´´>" Copies of John Okell’s Burmese: an introduction … can be obtained 1993, Rangoon. 635 pp, over 30,000 entries. With etymolo- from: The Center for Burma Studies, Northern Illinois Univer- gies, pronunciation, and sketches. Very useful. Effectively sity, 412 Adams Hall, DeKalb, Illinois 60115, USA. Fax 0101 supersedes all earlier B-E dictionaries. 815 753 1651, phone 815 753 1771. Or Probsthain’s bookshop

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 192 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 193

in London: Arthur Probsthain, 41 Great Russell Street, London APPENDIX 7 WC1B 3PH. [email protected]. Ph 7636 1096. At SOAS ext GENERAL VOCABULARY ENGLISH-BURMESE 2923. Or the UK distributors Bay Foreign Language Books, Unit 3(b) Frith Business Centre, Frith Road, Aldington, Ash- This vocabulary contains all the words introduced on the tapes, ford, Kent TN25 7HJ, England. Phone: (+44) 01233 720020. and a selection of other words you may find useful. Turn to the Fax: (+44) 01233 721272. E-mail: Topical Vocabularies in Appendix 5 for separate lists of food and [email protected]. drinks, sites and placenames, kin terms, You and I, “this, that and what”, and traditional Burmese clothes Learning Burmese: taught language courses In Burma/Myanmar courses for foreign learners are given at the Symbols University of Foreign Languages, 119-131 University Avenue, In the entries below – Yangon 11081, Myanmar (Burma). Phone +95 1 531713. Also > marks the beginning of the Burmese translation or equiva- at several commercial language schools. Look in the Yellow lent Pages, or ask expatriates for recommendations. 9 introduces an example or phrase or compound Burmese courses are also given at the School of Oriental and the figures refer to the lesson in which the word is introduced African Studies, University of London, and at universities in on the tapes. Entries without figures are for words not used Berlin, Heidelberg, Paris, Australia, the USA, Russia, China, on the tapes.

Japan, Korea, and Thailand.

There is an intensive nine-week course held every summer in the absorbent cotton, cotton wool > airline office > le-yin-you´n USA. It is called The South East Asian Studies Summer Insti- gu´n g∑m\; elya√\RuM; 5.2 tute (SEASSI). It gives you a concentrated dose of language accompany, follow > laiq-teh airport > le-zeiq elSip\" (“air

learning: 4 hours of classwork a day, five days a week, and luik\ty\ port”)

plenty of homework. accountant > sa˘ yın-gain´ alive 9 Are your parents still

Otherwise try – sarc\;kuic\ living? > A˘ p’e-a˘ me shı´-dhe´- Private lessons with a Burmese speaker. Advantages: relatively afternoon > nya´-ne ven 5.9 dha˘ la´? AePAem r˙ieq;qla;"

cheap, can be timed to suit your schedule. Disadvantage: the again 9 Could you please say 12E

teacher may not have much experience in the needs of foreign that again? > T’aq-pya´w-ba- all right: to be all right > ya´-deh learners. ou´n Tp\e®papåAuM;" 3.2 rty \ 1.1 9 That will be all Self-study, with book and tapes. Advantages: cheap, can be age, old > a˘ theq Aqk\ 9 How right, won’t it? > Ya´-deh-

timed to suit your schedule. Disadvantage: you have no one old are you? > A˘ theq beh- naw? rty\ena\" 7.3; to be all to encourage, correct, and urge you on. lauq shı´-bi-le´h? Aqk\ right, to work out OK > a˘ s’in

By\elak\ r˙i®p^l´" 10.6 pye-deh ASc\*e®pty\ 1.7

´ ´ ´ Contacts: agent, middle-man > pwe´h-za all 9 Is that all? > Da-beh-la?

SOAS Burmese language learning web pages: p∑´sa; dåp´la;" 9 That’s everything,

http://www.soas.ac.uk/SouthEastAsia/Burmese/home1.html air field > le-yin-gwın´ is it? > Da-beh-naw? dåp´ena\" Justin Watkins, Lecturer in Burmese: [email protected] elya√\k∑c\; (“air-vehicle + 9 Yes, that’s all. > Da-ba-be´h. John Okell, retired Lecturer in Burmese: [email protected] field”) dåpåp´" 9 No, there’s some-

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

194 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 195

thing else. > Shı´-ba-dhe´-deh. backside, anus > p’in Pc\ breast > yin-dha rc\qa; bus stop > hmaq-tain m˙t\tuic\

r˙ipåeq;ty\" 4.5 bad: to be bad > s’o-deh Sui;ty\" briefcase > leq-s’we´h-eiq business, commerce, trade >

´ ´ amount to, come to, cost > ca´- 9 It’s not bad > ma˘ s’o-ba-bu lk\S∑´Ait\ a˘ yau´n-a˘ weh keiq-sa´ deh k¥ty\ 9 How much mSui;påB¨;" 9.9 bring down, drop, reduce, Aerac\;Awy\kisß 9.7

does it amount to? > Beh- bag > eiq Ait\" handbag, purse lower (price) > sha´w-deh businessman, merchant > koun-

lauq ca´-dha˘ le´h? By\elak\ > paiq-s’an-eiq puik\SMAit\" elYa.ty\" 9 How about dheh kun\qv \ 11.1

k¥ql´" 4.8 shoulder bag > lweh-eiq reducing the cost? Sha´w-ba- buttock > tin-ba´tc\på;

and 9 A and B > A-ne´h B A-n´≥ B l∑y\Ait\ ou´n-la? elYa.påAuM;la;" 5.4 buy > weh-deh wy\ty\ 6.2 4.1 ball point pen > ba´w-pin eBapc\ broadcasting station > a˘ than- café > la˘ p’eq-ye-zain

anus, backside > p’in Pc\ 6.2 hlwı´n-youn AqMlWc\.R uM (“sound- lk\Pk\rv\Suic\ (“tea shop”) apart: apart from this > dı´-pyin bamboo > wa´wå; broadcast + building”) 8.2 d^.®pc\ 9 What do you have Band Aid, plaster > pa˘ la-sa˘ ta brother (older than self) > a˘ ko cake > keiq-mou´n kit\mun\≥ 4.2 and

apart from this? > Dı´-pyin ba plasta 6.2 Ak ui 7.1, (of male, younger see the Topical Vocabulary for

´ ´ shı´-dhe-dha˘ leh? d^.®pc\ Ba bandage > paq-tı´pt\t^; than self) > nyi v ^ 12E; (of food and drinks r˙ieq;ql´" 6.6 bangle, bracelet > leq-kauq female, younger than self) > calendar > pyeq-k’a˘ dein ®pkdin\ architect > bı´-thu´-ka biquka lk\ekak\ maun emac \ 12E; see also the call: to call, to be called > k’aw-

arm, hand > leq lk\ bank > ban-daiq B%\tuik\ (“bank Topical Vocabulary for kin deh eKÅty\" 9 What is that

armpit > jaın´ g¥oic\; building”) 11.2 terms called? > Eh-da beh-lo k’aw- army officer > siq-bo ss\buil\ barber’s > za˘ bin-hnyaq-s’ain brothers and sisters, siblings > dha˘ le´h? A´då By\lui eKÅql´" arrange > si-zin-deh s^s√\ty\ SMpc\V˙p\Suic\ (“hair-cut + nyi-a˘ ko maun-hna˘ ma´ or maun- 3.5, 9 It is called “X” > “X”-lo´

arrive, reach > yauq-teh shop”) hna˘ ma´ (v^Akui)emac\N˙m 12E k’aw-ba-deh {X}lui≥ eKÅpåty\"

erak\ty\ basket > c’ın´ ®Kc\; brown > a˘ nyo AVui 3.6

artist > ba˘ ji-s’a˘ ya pn\;K¥^Sra battery > daq-k’e´h Dat\K´ building: brick or stone camera > kin-ma˘ ra kc\mra

ashtray > s’e´-leiq-pya-gweq belt > k’a˘ baq Kå;pt\ building > taiq tuik\ can [verb] > [verb]-nain- or

eS;lip\®paK∑k\ bit, a little > ne´h-neh n´n´ 1.6 Burmese, Myanmar > Ba˘ ma bma -hnain- [verb]-Nuic\- 9 I can’t

´ aspirin > gau´n-kaiq-pyauq-s’e black > a˘ neq Ank\ or Myan-ma, Mya˘ ma ®mn\ma" lower the price this much >

´ eKåc\;kuik\ep¥ak\eS; (“head- blood > thwe eq∑; Burma, Myanmar (country) Di-lauq ma˘ sha´w-nain-ba-bu´

ache-remove + medicine”) blouse > ba˘ lauqs Belak\s\ > Ba˘ ma or Myan-ma + pye or d^elak\ melYa.Nuic\påB¨;" 5.5, 5.6

aunt > daw-daw edÅedÅ/AedÅ 7.2 blue > a˘ pya A®pa pyi or nain-ngan bma®pv\' can, bottle (countword) > -lou´n

see also the Topical Vocabulary bone > a˘ yo ARui; ®mn\maNuic\cM" Burmese -luM; 2.2 pa˘ lın´ pulc\;

for kin terms book > sa-ouq saAup\ (language) > Ba˘ ma or Myan- card: greetings card > kaq-pya´

´ ´

author,writer (male) > sa-ye´- bottle, can (countword) > -loun ma + sa˘ ga bmaska; or kd\®pa;" birthday card >

´ ´

s’a˘ ya saer;Sra" (female) > -luM; 2.2, pa˘ lın´ pulc\; ®mn\maska; 3.4, 9 in Burmese > mwe-ne´ kaq-pya em∑;en≥–kd\®pa;"

sa-ye´-s’a˘ ya-ma´ saer;Sram" box, chest, trunk, suitcase > Ba˘ ma-lo bmal ui 3.5; and see Christmas card > K’a˘ riq-

bachelor: old bachelor > lu-byo- thiq-ta, tiq-ta eqt†a About Burmese in the intro- sa˘ maq kaq-pya´Krsßmt\kd\®pa;"

jı´l¨p¥oiÂk^; 12.1 bra > ba˘ ra-si-ya Bras^ya duction cardigan, sweater > s’weh-ta

´ ´ ´ back > ca´w or caw-goun ek¥a or bracelet, bangle > leq-kauq bus depôt > ka-geiq ka;git\ S∑y\ta ek¥akun\; lk\ekak\ (“car gate”)

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

196 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 197

´ ´ ´ cassette player > keq-s’eq climb up, get up onto, get into dha˘ leh? By\elak\ k¥ql´" ca´-ye-hmu kk\Sk\ (taxi etc) > teq-teh tk\ty\" 4.8 lk\eTak\VWn\Âka;er;mØ;

cassette tape > keq-s’eq-k’we 5.1 cotton > c’i K¥v\ distant: to be distant, a long

´ ´

kk\Sk\eK∑ clinic > s’e´-gan eS;Kn\; cotton wool, absorbent cotton > way > we-deh ew;ty\

´ certain: to be definite, certain > (“medicine room”) gun g∑m\; Division > taın´ tuic\;

the-ja-deh eqK¥aty\ cloth > a˘ wuq-sa´, a˘ t’eh Awt\s' cup, glass > k’weq K∑k \ 2.3 divorced, separated 9 We have

´ charge: room charge, rate per ATv\ dark: to be dark > hmaun-deh split up > Kwe´h-dhwa-ba-bi

room (in hotel etc) > a˘ k’a´n-ga´ clothing > a˘ wuq-a˘ sa Awt\Asa; em˙ac\ty\ k∑´q∑a;på®p^" 12.1

´ ´

AKn\;K 9.6 coat, overcoat > laun-kouq daughter > tha˘ mı qm^; 7.2, 12.2 dock, embarcation point > thın-´

cheap: to be cheap, inexpensive elac\;kut\ see also the Topical Vocabulary ba´w-zeiq qeBçaSip\ (“ship

> ze*c’o-deh eZ;*K¥oity \ 1.7 cold drinks bar > a˘ e´-zain for kin terms port”) chemist’s shop, drugstore > s’e´- AeA;Suic\ (“cold things + day > -yeq -rk\ 9.3 doctor > s’a˘ ya-wun Srawn\ 11.1

zain eS;Suic\ (“medicine shop”) 8.2 dead, died 9 They are dead > doll, image, statue > a˘ youq ARup\

´ ´

shop”) 8.2 cold: to be cold > e´-deh eA;ty\ S’oun-dhwa-ba-bi SuM;q∑a;på®p^" dollar > daw-la edÅla 2.1

´ ´ cheroot > s’e´-ba´w-leiq 1.1; to feel cold > c’an-deh 12.1 dorm, hostel > caun-zaun

eS;epå≥lip\ K¥m\;ty\ deep [colour] > [colour]-yı´n -rc\. ek¥ac\;eSac\

chest > yin or yin-baq rc$pt$ colour > a˘ yaun Aerac\ defecate > c’ı*pa-deh´ eK¥;*påty\" dress > ga-wun gåwn \ (English

´ ´

child > k’a˘ le kel; 12.2 comb > bı´B^; cin-jı*su´n-deh k¥c\Âk^;*s∑n\≥ty\" “gown”)

chin > me´em; come > la-deh laty\" come definite: to be definite, certain > drink: to drink > thauq-teh

´ ´ church > p’a˘ ya´ shiq-k’o-jaun round, come over > la-ge´h- the-ja-deh eqK¥aty\ eqak\ty\ 2.1

Bura;r˙iKui;ek¥ac\; (“lord-revere + deh laK´.ty\" come and fetch dentist > thwa´-s’a˘ ya-wun driver > da˘ rain-ba dRuic\Ba or ka-

monastery”) > la-k’aw-deh laeKÅty\ 5.11 q∑a;Srawn\ dha˘ ma´ka;qma; or yin-maun

cigar > s’e-byın-leiq´ eS;®pc\;lip\ come to, amount to, cost > ca´- department store > koun-daiq ya√\emac\; 11.1 cigarette > sı-ga´ ˘ req s^;krk\ 6.2 deh k¥ty\ 9 How much kun\tuik \ (“goods building”) drop, reduce, lower, bring

cigarette, cheroot, cigar (general does it come to? > Beh-lauq 11.2 down (price) > sha´w

term) > s’e´-leiq eS;lip\ ca´-dha˘ leh? By\elak\ descend, come down, get out > elYa.ty\" 9 How about

cinema > youq-shin-youn Rup\r˙c\RuM k¥ql´" 4.8 s’ın-deh´ Sc\;ty\ reducing the cost? Sha´w-ba-

(“image-moving + building”) commerce, trade, business > dictionary > a˘ bı´-dan ABiDan\ ou´n-la? elYa.påAuM;la;" 5.4

civil servant, government a˘ yau´n-a˘ weh-keiq-sa´ died, dead 9 They are dead > drugstore, chemist’s shop > s’e-

´ ´ ´

servant > a˘ so´ya´ a˘ hmu´-dan Aerac\;Awy\kisß 9.7 S’oun-dhwa-ba-bi SuM;q∑a;på®p^" zain eS;Suic \ 8.2

Asui;rAmOTm\; 11.1 condom > kun-dou´n k∑n\duM; 12.1 dumpling > pauq-s’i epåk\S ^ 4.2 clerk > sa˘ ye´saer; contain, include, have in > pa- difficult: to be difficult > k’eq- and see the Topical Vocabulary

clever: to be clever, talented > deh påty\ teh Kk\ty\ for food and drinks

´ ´ taw-deh eta\ty\ correct: to be right, true, correct Director > H nyun-ca´-ye-hmu dust > p’oun PuM" to be dusty >

climate, weather > ya-dhi-u´-du´ > hman-deh m˙n\ty\ VWn\Âka;er;mØ; 9 Deputy Direc- p’oun t’u-deh PuM*T¨ty \ or

´ ´

raq^Ut u 9.10 cost, come to, amount to > ca´- tor > Du´ H nyun-ca´-ye-hmu p’oun t’a´-deh PuM*Tty\" deh k¥ty\ 9 How much duVWn\Âka;er;mØ; 9 Assistant ear > na´ or na˘ yweq na;(R∑k\) does it cost? > Beh-lauq ca´- Director > Leq-t’auq H nyun- earring > na˘ gaq na;kp\

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

198 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 199

´ easy: to be easy > lweh-deh excuse me > use kin term 7.1 and finish > pı-deh´ ®p^;ty\" 9 I’ve go > thwa-deh q∑a;ty\" 5.1, go

l∑y\ty\ 7.2 and see the Topical Vocabu- finished now > Pı-bi ®p^;®p^" 7.3 beyond, go past > lun-dhwa´-

´ eat > sa´-deh sa;ty\ 2.1 lary for You and I five > nga cå; (5) 1.2 deh l∑n\q∑a;ty\

editor > eh-di-ta Ay\d^ta expect, look out for > hmyaw- flashlight, torch > leq-hneiq daq- going to [verb] > [verb]-meh

eight > shiq r˙s\ (8) 1.3 ne-deh emYa\enty\ mı´lk\N˙ip\Dåt\m^; [verb]-my\ 2.2 and see

´ elastic band > tha˘ ye-gwın´ expensive: to be expensive > flower > pan pn\; Grammar outline

´ qerk∑c\; ze*cı-deh´ eZ;*Âk^;ty \ 1.5 follow, accompany > laiq-teh gold > shwe eRW" 9 gold colour >

elbow > ta˘ daun-ziq tMetac\Ss\ eye > myeq-sı´ m¥k\si luik\ty\ shwe-yaun eRWerac\

else 9 What else do you have? > face > myeq-hna m¥k\N˙a foot, leg > c’i or c’i-dauq golf course > gauq-kwın´

Ba shı´-dhe´-dha˘ leh? Ba factory > seq-youn sk\RuM e®K(eTak\) egåk\k∑c\; (“golf field”)

r˙ieq;ql´" 6.6 (“machine building”) four > le´el; (4) 1.1 Good morning, Good after-

´ embarrassed: to feel bad about faeces > c’ı eK¥;" defecate > free: to be free, not engaged > a´- noon, etc > see Lesson 2.8

imposing on someone > c’ı*pa-deh eK¥;*påty\" cin- deh Aa;ty\ 1.3 good: to be good > kau´n-deh

a*na-deh Aa;*naty\ jı*su´ ´n-deh k¥c\Âk^;*s∑n\≥ty\" friend > meiq-s’we mit\eS ∑9.5, ekac\;ty\ 1.1

embarrassing: to be embarrass- fan (electric) > pan-ka pn\ka" and see the Topical Vocabulary Goodbye > Thwa´-meh-naw?

´ ´ ing > a´-na-za˘ ya*kaun-deh (hand-held) > yaq-taun for kin terms q∑a;my\ena\" 4.9, Thwa-meh

Aa;nasra*ekac\;ty\ yp\etac\ from [place] > [place]-ka´/-ga´ q∑a;my\" 5.3

´ embassy > than-youn qMRuM; farmer, peasant > leh-dha˘ ma´ [place]-k 9.2 government servant, civil

(“envoy office”) 5.2 ly\qma; fun: to be enjoyable, to be fun > servant > a˘ so´-ya´ a˘ hmu´-dan

employee > wun-dan wn\Tm\; father > a˘ p’e AeP 12E and see the pyaw-za˘ ya*kau´n-deh Asui;rAmOTm\; 11.1

engineer > in-jin-ni-ya Ac\g¥c\n^ya Topical Vocabulary for kin ep¥a\sra*ekac\;ty\ grandchild > myı´e®m; see also the

11.1 terms garden, park > pa´n-jan pn\;®KM Topical Vocabulary for kin

English (language) > I´n-ga˘ leiq- fetch: come and fetch > la-k’aw- (“flower enclosure”) or u´-yin terms

sa˘ ga´Agçlip\ska; 3.4 deh laeKÅty\ 5.11 Uy¥a√\ grandfather > a˘ p’o APui; see also

enjoy: to enjoy oneself, have a few: to be little, few > ne´h-deh gasoline, petrol > daq-s’i Dat\S^ the Topical Vocabulary for kin

good time > pyaw-deh n´ty\ genitals (male) > yauq-ca´-in-ga terms

ep¥a\ty\ 9.9, to be enjoyable, fiancé/e, sweetheart > a˘ s’eq eyak¥\a;Agçå" (female) > grandmother > a˘ p’wa´AP∑a; see

´ ´ ´ to be fun > pyaw-za˘ ya*kau´n- ASk\ or yı-za rv\;sa; see also meın-ma´-in-ga min\;mAgçå also the Topical Vocabulary for

deh ep¥a\sra*ekac\;ty\ the Topical Vocabulary for kin get into (taxi etc) > teq-teh kin terms

enter: to come or go in > win-deh terms tk\ty\" 5.1 green > a˘ seın´ Asim\;

wc\ty\ film > p’a˘ lin Plc \ (English give > pe´-deh ep;ty\" 9 Please Greetings! > see Lesson 2.8

envelope > sa-eiq saAit \ 6.4 “film”) 6.2 bring us two cups of coffee > grey > mı-go´ -yaun m^;Kui;erac\

´ ´ ´ ´ eraser, rubber > k’eh-byeq K´P¥k\ film actor > youq-shin mın-dha´ Kaw-p’i hna˘ k’weq pe-ba eka\P^ guide: tourist guide > e´h-lan-

escort, take someone some- Rup\r˙c\mc\;qa;" actress > youq- N˙s\K∑k\ ep;på" 4.1 hnyun Ev\.lm\;VWn\

where > laiq-pya´-deh shin mın-dha´ ˘ mı Rup\r˙c\mc\;qm^;" give permission > k’wı´n*pyu´-deh hair (of head) > za˘ bin SMpc\ luik\®pty\ fine 9 Fine, OK > Kau´n-ba-bi K∑c\.*‘pty\ hairbrush > ba˘ raq Brt\

evening > nya´ v 5.9 ekac\;på®p^" 4.1 glass, cup > k’weq K∑k \ 2.3 finger > leq-c’au´n lk\eK¥ac\; glue > kaw eka\

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

200 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 201

hairdresser’s > s’an-tha´-zain hospital > s’e´-youn eS;RuM husband, boyfriend (normal karaoke bar > ka-ra-o-ke

´ SMqSuic\ (“hair-beautify + (“medicine building”) level of politeness) > a˘ myo´-tha karaAuiek 8.2

shop”) hostel, student hostel, dorm > Am¥oi;qa; 12.1, (deferential) > kerosene, paraffin > ye-nan-zi

Hallo > see Lesson 2.8 cau´n-zaun ek¥ac\;eSac\ k’in-bun Kc\p∑n\;" (casual) > ernMS^

hand, arm > leq lk\ hot: to be hot > pu-deh p¨ty \ 1.1, yauq-ca´eyak¥\a; see also the key > tha´w eqa.

handbag, purse > paiq-s’an-eiq to feel hot > aiq-teh Auik\ty\ Topical Vocabulary for kin key-chain > kı-c´ ’eın k^;K¥in\;

puik\SMAit\ 6.4 hot: to be hot to taste, spicy > terms kind > -myo´-m¥oi;" 9 that kind >

handkerchief > leq-kain-pa˘ wa saq-teh sp\ty \ 1.3 I > see the Topical Vocabulary for da-myo´dåm¥oi;" 9 three kinds >

lk\kuic\pwå hotel > ho-teh huity \ 8.2 You and I thou´n-myo quM;m¥oi;" 9 many

´ ´ ´ happy: to be happy > wu´n*tha- hour > na-yi nar ^ 5.10 ice cream > ye-geh-mou´n erK´mun\≥ kinds, all sorts > a˘ myo-myo

deh wm\;*qaty\" 9 I am house > ein Aim \ 9.5, friend’s 4.2 and see the Topical Vocabu- Am¥oi;m¥oi;" 6.6

happy to have met you > house > meiq-s’we ein lary for food and drinks kind: to be kind > tha˘ ba´w*kaun-

Twe´-ya´-da wu´n-tha-ba-deh mit\eS∑Aim\ 9.5 image, statue, doll > a˘ youq ARup\ deh qeBa*ekac\;ty\ et∑>rta wm\;qapåty\" 10.3 housework > ein-hmu´-keiq-sa´ in that case > di-lo-s’o d^luiS ui 4.4 knee > du´d¨; hat > ouq-t’ouq Ë;Tup \ 6.4 Aim\mOkis ß 11.3 in: to come or go in, enter > win- know > thı´-deh qity\ 8.1

have, there is > shı´-deh, ya´-deh how about [noun]? > [noun]- deh wc\ty\ kyat (Burmese currency) > caq

r˙ity\" rty\" 9 Do you have ka´w/-gaw [noun]-eka 10.4 include, contain, have in > pa- k¥p\ 1.11

any coffee? Kaw-p’i shı´- how long? 9 How long have deh påty\ labourer > a˘ louq-tha˘ ma´

dha˘ la´? Kaw-p’i ya´-ma˘ la? you been here? > Y auq-ne-da inexpensive: to be inexpensive, Alup\qma;

´ ´ eka\P^ r˙iqla;" eka\P^ rmla;" beh-lauq ca-bi-le´h? cheap > ze*c’o-deh eZ;*K¥oity\ lacquerware > yun-deh y∑n\;Tv\

4.3; 9 I have three children > erak\enta By\elak\ 1.7 lavatory, toilet > ein-dha Aim\qa

´ ´

K’a˘ le´-thoun-yauq shı´-ba-deh Âka®p^l´ 9.3 inn > ın Ac\; 9.5 4.7

´ ´ kel; quM;eyak\ r˙ipåty\" 12.2 how many X? > Beh-hna˘ -X-le´h? insecticide > po-thaq-s’e lawyer > she´-ne er˙>en he, she, it > thu q¨ and see the By\N˙s\- or By\N˙-X-l´" 4.3 pui;qt\eS; leather > tha˘ ye qa;er Topical Vocabulary for You and and see the Topical Vocabulary insurance > a-ma´-gan AamKM leg, foot > c’i or c’i-dauq

I for this, that and what intend, plan > a˘ si-a˘ sin shı´-deh e®K(eTak\)

head > gaun eKåc\; how much? > Beh-lauq-le´h? As^As√\ r˙ity\ library > sa-cı´-daiq saÂkv\.tuik\

hear > ca´-deh Âka;ty\ By\elak\l´" 9 How much is introduce to someone > meiq- (“text-study + building”)

´ ´ helping, portion (countword) > that? Da beh-lauq-leh? då s’eq*pe-deh mit\Sk\*ep;ty\ lighter, match > mı-jiq´ m^;®Ks\

´ -pwe´h/-bweh -p ∑´ 2.4 By\elak\l´" 1.11, 9 How iron > than qM like: like this > di-lo d^lui

here, in this place > di-hma d^m˙a much does it come to? > Beh- it, he, she > thu q¨ and see the like: to like > caiq-teh ’kik\ty\

2.3 and see the Topical Vocabu- lauq ca´-dha˘ le´h? By\elak\ Topical Vocabulary for You and 1.3 lary for this, that and what k¥ql´" 4.8 I line up, queue > ta´n*si-deh

hold, grasp > kain-deh kuic\ty,\ how? > beh-lo By\lui 3.5 9 How item, unit (countword) > -k’u´/-gu´ tn\;*s^ty\

´ ´ ´

hold fast > kain-t’a´-deh is it? What is it like? > Beh-lo -K u 2.5 lipstick > hna˘ k’an-ni-s’o-ze

kuic\Ta;ty\ ne-dha˘ le´h? By\lui enql´" 9.9 ivory > s’in-zweh Sc\s∑y\ NOt\Km\;n^Sui;eS;

home, house > ein Aim\ and see the Topical Vocabulary jacket (“jerkin”) > ja-kin g¥akc\ listen > na´*t’aun-deh

´ for this, that and what jeans > jın-bau´ n-bi g¥c\;eBac\;B^ na;*eTac\ty\

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

202 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 203

´ ´

little: a little, a bit > neh-neh n´n´ married 9 Is he married? > Ein- > tha-dha˘ na-byu´-s’a˘ ya-ma´ near: near here > di-na´-hma

´ ´ 1.6, to be little, few > ne´h-deh daun shı´-dha˘ la? Aim\eTac\ qaqna‘pSram d^na;m˙a 8.1, to be near > nı-deh

n´ty\ r˙iqla;" 12.1 9 Is he married moment > k’a˘ na´ K% 9 Just a n^;ty\

´ ´ live > ne-deh enty\ yet? > Ein-daun ca´-bi-la? moment please > K’a˘ na´-le- neck > leh-dain or leh-bın´

long time 9 How long has it Aim\eTac\ k¥®p^la;" naw? K%el;ena\" 7.3 lv\tuic \ or lv\pc\;

´ ´ been? > Beh-lauq ca-bi-le´h? match, lighter > mı-jiq m^;®Ks\ monastery, school > caun ek¥ac\; need: to need > lo-deh luity\"

By\elak\ Âka®p^l´" 9.3 9 Has matter 9 It doesn’t matter > money > paiq-s’an puik\S M 4.8 to need, want (something) >

´ ´ ´ it been long? > Ca-bi-la? Keiq-sa´ ma˘ shı´-ba-bu kisß monk: Buddhist monk > p’oun-jı´ lo-jin-deh luiK¥c\ty \ 1.10

Âka®p^la;" 9.4, 9 Not long yet. mr˙ipåB¨;" 6.3 Bun\;Âk^; 9 novice monk > ko- neighbourhood, quarter > yaq-

´ ´

> Ma˘ ca-dhe´-ba-bu meat > a˘ tha Aqa;" 9 Does it yin kuirc\ kweq rp\k∑k\

mÂkaeq;påB¨;" 9.4, 9 It’s been have meat in it? > A˘ tha´*pa- month > la´ l 9.4 nephew > tu t¨ see also the Topi-

about three weeks. > Thou´n- dha˘ la? Aqa;*påqla;" 1.10; morning > ma˘ neq mnk \ 5.8 cal Vocabulary for kin terms baq-lauq shı´-bi quM;pt\elak\ meat, minced and fried > mosque > ba˘ li bl^ newspaper > tha˘ dın-za´ qtc\;sa r˙i®p^" tauq-tauq-caw mosquito > c’in ®Kc\" mosquitoes niece > tu-ma´ t¨m see also the

long way: to be distant, a long etak\etak\eÂka\ 4.2 and see bite > c’in kaiq-teh ®Kc\ Topical Vocabulary for kin

way > we´-deh ew;ty\ the Topical Vocabulary for food kuik\ty\" terms

look > cı´-deh Âkv\.ty\" 9 Do and drinks mother > a˘ me Aem 12E and see nine > ko´kui; (9) 1.3

you mind if I have a look? > medicine > s’e´eS; the Topical Vocabulary for kin no > ma˘ -[verb]-ba-bu m-[verb]-

Cı´-meh-naw? Âkv\.my\ena\" 6.2, meditate > ta˘ ya´-a*t’ouq-teh terms påB¨; 1.4

9 I’ll keep looking around > tra;Aa:*Tut\ty\" medita- mouth > pa˘ zaq på;sp\ noodles > k’auq-s’we´h eKåk\S∑´

´ Cı´-ou´n-meh-naw? tion centre > yeiq-tha rip\qa much, too much > mya-deh 4.2 and see the Topical Vocabu-

Âkv\.AuM;my\ena\" 6.7 meet > twe´-deh et∑>ty \ 10.3, m¥a;ty\" 9 That’s a bit too lary for food and drinks

´ lot: very, very much, a lot > s’oun-ja´-deh SuMÂkty\ much, too expensive. Ne´h- nose > hna˘ k’aun N˙aeKåc\;

´ theiq qip \ 1.6 merchant, businessman > koun- ne´h mya-ba-deh n´n´ notebook > hmaq-su´-sa-ouq

lovable: to be lovable > c’iq- dheh kun\qv \ 11.1 m¥a;påty\" 5.4 m˙t\susaAup\

sa˘ ya*kau´n-deh midday > ne´-leh en≥ly\ 5.8 museum > pya´-daiq ®ptuik\ nought, zero > thoun-nya´ quv K¥s\sra*ekac\;ty\ middle 9 the middle son > tha´- (“exhibit building”) (0) 1.4

lower, bring down, drop, a˘ laq qa;Alp \ 12.3 Myanmar see under Burmese number > nan-baq nMpåt \ 1.4 reduce (price) > sha´w-deh milk > nwa´-no´ or no´ (N∑a;)Nui≥ 4.2 name > nan-meh nMmv\ 9 What’s nun: Buddhist nun > meh-thi-la´-

elYa.ty\" 9 How about and see the Topical Vocabulary your name? > Nan-meh beh- yin my\q^lrc\

reducing the cost? Sha´w-ba- for food and drinks lo k’aw-dha˘ le´h? nMmv\ By\lui nurse (male) > naqs nt\s\"

ou´n-la? elYa.påAuM;la;" 5.4 mind 9 Never mind > Keiq-sa´ eKÅql´" 9 I am called Ye (female) > naqs-ma´ nt\s\m"

´ ´

luggage > pyiq-sı´psßv\; ma˘ shı´-ba-bu kisß mr˙ipåB¨;" 6.3 Myint. Yeh Myı´n-ba r´®mc\.på" or thu-na-byu´-s’a˘ ya-ma´

´ ´ ´

manager > ma˘ ne-ja meng¥a (“Minister’s office”) r´®mc\.lui≥ eKÅpåty\" 10.2 o’clock 9 nine o’clock > ko´-na-yi

map > mye-boun e®mpuM minute > mı´-niq, ma˘ niq mins\ 5.10 nationality, race > lu-myo´l¨m¥oi; kui;nar^ 5.10

´ market > ze´eZ;" market stall- missionary > tha-dha˘ na-byu´- 9.2 office > youn RuM; 5.2, airline office

´ holder > ze´-dheh eZ;qv\ s’a˘ ya qaqna‘pSra" (female) > le-yin-youn elya√\RuM; 5.2

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

204 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 205

´ ´ ointment > leın-ze´ lim\;eS; paper clip > ka˘ liq kls\ plaster, Band Aid > pa˘ la-sa˘ ta race, nationality > lu-myo l¨m¥oi; OK: to be OK > ya´-deh rty\ paraffin, kerosene > ye-nan-zi plasta 6.2 9.2 1.1, to work out all right > ernMS^ plastic > pa˘ la-sa˘ teiq, pa˘ la-sa˘ tiq radio > re-di-yo erd^yui

a˘ s’in*pye-deh ASc\*e®pty\ parata > pa˘ lata plata 4.2 and plastit\' plasts\ railway station > bu-da or bu-da- 1.7, 9 OK, Fine > Kau´n-ba-bi see the Topical Vocabulary for please [verb] > [verb]-pa/-ba youn B¨ta(RuM) (“station

ekac\;på®p^" 4.1 food and drinks [verb]-på" please don’t [verb] building”)

old 9 How old are you? > A˘ theq parents > a˘ p’e-a˘ me AePAem 12E > ma˘ -[verb]-pa/-ba-ne´h m- rain: to rain > mo´*ywa-deh

beh-lauq shı´-bi-le´h? Aqk\ park, garden > pan-jan pn\;®KM [verb]-pån´≥ 2.6 mui;*R∑aty\

By\elak\ r˙i®p^l´" 10.6 9 How (“flower enclosure”) or u´-yin police station > ye´h-t’a-na´ r´@an razor, razor blade > mouq-s’eiq-

´ ´

old is your son? > Tha´ beh- Uy¥a√\ policeman > yeh-a˘ ya-shı´ r´Arar˙i yeiq-da mut\Sit\rip\då; (“beard-

´ a˘ yweh shı´-bi-le´h? qa; pay > pe-deh ep;ty\ 9 How polite tag > k’in-bya Kc\b¥a (male shave + blade”) g¥ot\

By\AR∑y\ r˙i®p^l´" 12.3, 9 the much shall I have to pay? > speaker), shin r˙c\ (female reach, arrive > yauq-teh

´ ´

oldest son, older son > tha- Beh-lauq pe´-ya´-ma˘ leh? speaker) 2.7 erak\ty\

a˘ cı´qa;AÂk^; 12.3 By\elak\ ep;rml´" 5.3 porcelain, enamel > cwe or cwe- read > p’aq-teh Pt\ty \ 9.1 one > tiq (or ta˘ - in compounds) peasant, farmer > leh-dha˘ ma´ deh eÂk∑(Tv\) red > a˘ ni An^

ts\ (1) 1.1 ly\qma; portion, helping (countword) > reduce, lower, bring down,

´ ´

orange (colour) > lein-maw-yaun pencil > k’e´h-dan K´tM" pencil -pweh/-bweh -p ∑´ 2.4 drop (price) > sha´w-deh lim\ema\erac\ sharpener > k’e´h-dan-c’un-zeq post office > sa-daiq satuik\ elYa.ty\" 9 How about

orange juice > lein-maw-ye K´tMKÁn\sk\ (“letter building”) 11.2 reducing the cost? Sha´w-ba-

´ ´

lim\ema\rv\ 4.2 and see the Topi- pension > pin-sin pc\sc\ 9 I am postage stamp > ta˘ zeiq-gau´n oun-la? elYa.påAuM;la;" 5.4 cal Vocabulary for food and retired > Pin-sin yu-laiq-pi tMSip\eKåc\; rent: to rent a house > ein hnga´-

drinks pc\sc\ y¨luik\®p^" 11.3 postcard > po´-sa˘ kaq pui≥skd \ 6.2 ne-deh Aim\ c˙a;enty\" 9.5

order: to order (in restaurant etc) perfume > ye-hmwe´eremW; pottery > mye or mye-deh repeat 9 Could you please

> hma-deh m˙aty \ 1.10 petrol, gasoline > daq-s’i Dat\S^ e®m(Tv\) repeat that? > T’aq-pya´w-ba-

out: to come or go out > t’weq- photograph > daq-poun Dåt\puM" powder > paun-da epåc\då ou´n Tp\e®papåAuM;" 3.2

teh T∑k\ty\ to take a photograph daq- pretty: to be pretty > hla´-deh reporter > tha˘ dın-dauq´ pagoda > p’a˘ ya´Bura; or ze-di poun* yaiq-teh Dåt\puMRuik\ty\ l˙ty \ 1.3 qtc\;eTak\

est ^ 5.2 2.4; photographer > daq-poun printing press > poun-hneiq-taiq research > thu´-te-tha˘ na´ quetqn"

´ painkiller > gau´n-kaiq-pyauq-s’e s’a˘ ya Dåt\puMSra" photography puMN˙ip\tuik\ 11.2 9 to do research > thu´-te-

eKåc\;kuik\ep¥ak\eS; shop > daq-poun-zain prison > t’aun eTac\ tha˘ na´ louq-teh quetqn

(“headache-remove + Dåt\puMSuic\ (“photograph purple > k’a˘ ya´n-yaun Krm\;erac\ lup\ty\ 9.8

medicine”) shop”) purse, handbag > paiq-s’an-eiq restaurant > sa´-thauq-s’ain

´ ´ pale [colour] > [colour]-nu´ -Nu pill > s’e-bya eS;®pa; puik\SMAit\ 6.4 sa;eqak\Suic\" t’a˘ mın-zain´

´ ´ pants, underpants > a˘ twın-gan-´ pink > pan-yaun pn\;erac\ put, place > t’a-deh Ta;ty\" Tmc\;Suic\" (“eat-drink +

baun-bi At∑c\;KMeBac\;B^ pipe (for smoking) > s’e´-dan put in > t’e´h-deh Tv\.ty\ shop”) 8.2

paper > seq-ku sk˚ø ' writing eS;tM queue, line up > ta´n*si-deh retired 9 He is retired > Pin-sin paper > sa-ye´-seq-ku plan, intend > a˘ si-a˘ sin shı´-deh tn\;*s^ty\ yu-laiq-pi pc\sc\ y¨luik\®p^" 11.3 saer;sk˚ø 6.4 As^As√\ r˙ity\

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. 206 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 207 return: to return, get back > script: Burmese script > Ba˘ ma- singer > a˘ s’o-daw ASuieta\ steel > than-ma˘ nı´ qMm%i

pyan*yauq-teh ®pn\*erak\ty\ za or Myan-ma-za bmasa' sister (older than self) > a˘ ma´ Am stockings > taiq-ts tuik\t\s\

rice > t’a˘ mın´ Tmc\; 4.2 and see the ®mn\masa 9.1 7.2, (younger than self) > nyi- stomach > baiq buik\

Topical Vocabulary for food and secretary > sa˘ ye´saer;" (female) ma´ v^m 12E and see the Topical stop, stand > yaq-teh rp\ty \ 2.4,

drinks secretary > sa˘ ye´-ma´ saer;m Vocabulary for kin terms 5.7

´ ´ ride, take (taxi, bus etc) > sı-deh´ sell > yaun-deh erac\;ty\ sit > t’ain-deh Tuic\ty\ 2.4 street, road > lan lm\; 5.2

s^;ty \ 5.6 sellotape, Scotchtape > s’eh-lo- six > c’auq e®Kak\ (6) 1.2 student (male) > cau´n-dha

right 9 It’s just right > A˘ ne-daw- teiq Sy\luitip\ 6.2 skin > a˘ ye-bya´Aer®pa; ek¥ac\;qa;" (female) > caun-

ba-be´h Aeneta\påp´" 9.10 separated, divorced 9 We have skirt > sa˘ kaq skt\ dhu ek¥ac\;q¨"

right: to be right, correct > split up > Kwe´h-dhwa-ba-bi sleep > eiq-teh Aip\ty\ suit > suq-wuq-soun s∑t\wt\suM hman-deh m˙n\ty\ k∑´q∑a;på®p^" 12.1 small: to be small > the´-deh suitcase, box, chest, trunk >

ring: finger ring > leq-suq settle up, pay the bill > paiq-s’an eq;ty\ thiq-ta, tiq-ta eqt†a

lk\s∑p\ shın-deh´ puik\SM r˙c\;ty\ 4.8 soap > s’aq-pya Sp\®pa" soap sun > ne en" to be sunny >

road, street > la´n lm\; 5.2 seven > k’un-hniq or k’un (in powder, detergent > s’aq- ne*tha-deh en*qaty\"

room charge, rate per room (in compounds k’un-na˘ -) KuN˙s\ (7) pya-hmou´n Sp\®pamOn\≥ sweat > c’we´eKÁ;

hotel etc) > a˘ k’a´n-ga´ AKn\;K 9.6 1.2 socks > c’i-eiq e®KAit\ sweater, cardigan > s’weh-ta

´ ´ ´

rubber, eraser > k’eh-byeq K´P¥k\ shampoo > gau´n-shaw-ze soldier > siq-tha ss\qa; S∑y\ta run out > koun-deh kun\ty\" 9 It eKåc\;elYa\eS; son > tha´qa; 7.1, 12.2 see also sweet: to be sweet > c’o-deh

has run out, We’re sold out Shan bag, shoulder bag > lweh- the Topical Vocabulary for kin K¥oity\

koun-dhwa´-bi kun\q∑a;®p^" 4.3 eiq l∑y\Ait \ 6.4 terms sweetheart, fiancé/e > a˘ s’eq

´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´ ´

sailor > thın-baw-dha qeBçaqa; she, he, it > thu q¨ and see the sorry > s’aw-rı-naw?´ s’aw-rı-beh, ASk\ or yı-za rv\;sa; see also

´ ´ ´ sales assistant > kaun-ta-sa˘ ye´ Topical Vocabulary for You and s’aw-rı-beh-naw? eSar^;ena\" the Topical Vocabulary for kin

ekac\tasaer; I eSar^;p´" eSar^;p´ena\" 3.1 terms

samusa > sa˘ mu-s’a sm¨Sa 4.2 and shirt > shaq-eın-ji´ r˙p\Ak¥Ç speak: to be able to speak > swim > ye*ku-deh er*k¨;ty\"

´ ´ see the Topical Vocabulary for shoes > shu-p’a˘ naq RØ;Pinp\ pyaw-daq-teh e®patt\ty \ 3.4 swimming costume > ye-ku´-

food and drinks shop > s’ain Suic\" shopkeeper > spectacles > myeq-hman m¥k\m˙n\ wuq-soun erk¨;wt\suM"

´ sanitary towel > paqd pd\ s’ain-shin Suic\r˙c\ spinster: old spinster > a˘ pyo-jı´ swimming pool > ye-ku-gan

´ school, monastery > cau´n ek¥ac\; shorts > baun-bi-do eBac\;B^tui Ap¥oiÂk^; 12.1 erk¨;kn\ (“water-cross +

´ ´ ´

9 She is attending school. > shoulder > pa˘ k’oun pKuM; sports field > a-ka˘ za-gwın´ pool”) Cau´n teq-ne-deh ek¥ac\; shoulder bag, Shan bag > lweh- Aa;ksa;k∑c\; (“strength-play T-shirt > ti-shaq t^r˙p \ 6.2

tk\enpåty\" 11.3; high eiq l∑y\Ait \ 6.4 + field”) take (someone somewhere) >

´ ´ school > a˘ t’eq-ta´n caun show > pya´-deh ®pty\ stand, stop > yaq-teh rp\ty \ 2.4 laiq-po-deh luik\pui≥ty\ or laiq-

ATk\tn\;ek¥ac\; siblings, brothers and sisters > State > pyi-neh ®pv\ny\ pya´-deh luik\®pty\ 9 Could

scissors > kaq-cı´kt\eÂk; maun-hna˘ ma´ or nyi-a˘ ko maun- station: railway station > bu-da you take us there? > Laiq-po´-

Scotchtape, sellotape > s’eh-lo- hna˘ ma´ (v^Akui)emac\N˙m 12E or bu-da-youn B¨ta(RuM) pe´-nain-ma˘ la? teiq Sy\luitip\ 6.2 silk > po´pui; (“station building”) luik\pui≥ep;Nuic\mla;" 5.9; take,

silver > ngwe ec∑" 9 silver stay (in hotel, with friend) > have (in café, shop etc) > yu- (colour) > ngwe-yaun ec∑erac\ te´h-deh t´ty\ (tv\;ty\) 9.5 deh y¨ty\ 4.1; take, ride

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

208 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 209

´ ´ ´

(taxi, bus etc) > sı-deh s^;ty\ Kaw-p’i ya´-ma˘ la? eka\P^ r˙ila;" toothpaste > thwa´-taiq-s’e very, very much, a lot > theiq 5.6 eka\P^ rmla;" 4.3 q∑a;tuik\eS; qip\ 1.6, a˘ ya´n Arm\; 9 You have

talented: to be clever, talented > there, in that place (nearer you) torch, flashlight > leq-hneiq-daq- a wonderful pronunciation!

´ ´ ´

taw-deh eta\ty\ > eh-di-hma A´d^m˙a 2.3; (over mı´lk\N˙ip\Dåt\m^; > A˘ yan pi-da-beh! Arm\;

´ ´

talk > sa˘ ga´*pyaw-deh there, some way off) > ho- tourist > tu-riq t¨;rs\ 9.7 p^tap´" 9.1 ska;*e®paty\ hma huim˙a" over there > ho- township > myo´-neh ‘mi>ny\ visit 9 Just for a visit > a˘ leh-be´h

tampon > use trade name beq-hma huiBk\m˙a" 8.1; and see trade, business, commerce > Alv\p´' 9.7 tape (audio) > teiq-k’we tip\eK∑ the Topical Vocabulary for this, a˘ yau´n-a˘ weh-keiq-sa´ wait > sau´n-ne-deh esac\.enty\

tea > la˘ p’eq-ye lk\Pk\rv\ 4.2, that and what Aerac\;Awy\kisß 9.7 5.11

´ ´ ´

plain tea > ye-nwe´-jan they > thu-do´ q¨tui≥ and see the tray > ban bn\; wake up > no-deh Nui;ty\

ereN∑;Âkm\; 4.2 and see the Topi- Topical Vocabulary for You and trishaw pedaller > s’aiq-ka´- walk > lan*shauq-teh

cal Vocabulary for food and I dha˘ ma´Suik\ka;qma; lm\;*elYak\ty\

´ drinks thing, object, luggage > pyiq-sı´ trousers > baun-bi eBac\;B^ want [to verb] > [verb]-c’in-/-jin-

teacher: school teacher (male) > psßv\; true: to be true, correct > hman- [verb]-K¥c\ 2.5; want: to need,

cau´n-s’a˘ ya ek¥ac\;Sra" this, that (nearer me) > da då 1.9 deh m˙n\ty\ want (something) > lo-jin-deh

(female) > cau´n-s’a˘ ya-ma´ 9 this way > di-beq d^Bk\ 4.7 two > hniq or hna˘ - N˙s\ (2) 1.1 luiK¥c\ty\ 1.10, 9 What do you

ek¥ac\;Sram" 11.1; university and see the Topical Vocabulary umbrella, sunshade > t’ı´T^; need? > Ba a˘ lo shı´-ba-

´ ´

teacher (male) > teq-ka˘ tho- for this, that and what uncle > u´-le Ë;el; 7.1 see also the dha˘ leh? Ba Aluir˙ipåql´" 6.2 s’a˘ ya tk˚quil\Sra" (female) > three > thou´n quM; (3) 1.1 Topical Vocabulary for kin watch, wrist watch > leq-paq-

teq-ka˘ tho-s’a˘ ya-ma´ tie (clothing) > neq-tain nk\tuic\ terms na-yi lk\pt\nar^" watch

tk˚quil\Sram" time > a˘ c’ein AK¥in\ 9 at what underpants, pants > a˘ twın-gan-´ strap > leq-paq-na-yi-co

´ ´

telephone > teh-li-p’ou´n time? > beh-a˘ c’ein-leh? baun-bi At∑c\;KMeBac\;B^ lk\pt\nar^’ki;

ty\l^Pun\; 1.4, phone number By\AK¥in\l´ 5.11 understand > na´-leh-deh way: this way > di-beq d^Bk\ 8.1

´ > teh-li-p’ou´n nan-baq tissue, paper tissues > tiq-shu na;*lv\ty\ 1.5 we > see the Topical Vocabulary

ty\l^Pun\;nMpåt\ 1.4, to make a ts\RØ; unit, item (countword) > -k’u´/-gu´ for You and I phone call > p’ou´n*s’eq-teh today > di-ne´ d^en≥ and variants -K u 2.5 weather, climate > ya-dhi-u´-du´

Pun\;*Sk\ty\ 5.8 university > teq-ka˘ tho tk˚quil\ raq^Utu 9.10

´ ´ ten > ta˘ s’eh ts\Sy\ (10) 1.3 toe > c’i-jaun e®KeK¥ac\; urine > s’ı´S^; or the eq;" week (countword) > -paq/-baq

´ ´

Thank you > Ce´-zu tin-ba-deh toilet, lavatory > ein-dha Aim\qa" urinate > the*pauq-teh -pt \ 9.3

ek¥;z¨; tc\påty\" 4.9 public convenience > a˘ mya´- eq;*epåk\ty\" cin-ngeh*su´n- well: to be well > ne*kaun-deh

´ that (nearer you) > e´h-da A´då dhoun ein-dha Am¥a;quM;Aim\qa" deh k¥c\cy\*s∑n\≥ty\" en*ekac\;ty\" 9 You’re well,

´ ´ ´ 1.9 9 that [noun] > e´h-di toilet paper > ein-dha-dhoun- useful: to be useful > a˘ thoun*ca´- I hope? Ne-kaun-deh-naw?

[noun] A´d ^ [noun] and see the seq-ku Aim\qaquM;sk˚ø deh AquM;*k¥ty\ en*ekac\;ty\ena\" 1.7

Topical Vocabulary for this, tomorrow > ma˘ neq-p’an mnk\Pn\ vegetables, fried mixed > a˘ seın-´ what? > ba-leh Bal´" 9 What is that and what and variants 5.8 jaw Asim\;eÂka \ 4.2 and see the that? > Da ba-le´h? då Bal´"

there is, have > shı´-deh, ya´-deh tongue > sha lYa Topical Vocabulary for food and 4.6, 9 What is your phone

r˙ity\" rty\" 9 Do you have tooth > thwa q∑a;" toothbrush > drinks number? > Teh-li-p’ou´n nan-

´ ´ any coffee? Kaw-p’i shı´-la? thwa-taiq-tan q∑a;tuik\tM" baq beh-lauq-le´h?

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.

210 Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary 211

ty\l^Pun\;nMpåt\ By\elak\l´" who? > Beh-dhu-le´h? By\q¨l´ write > ye-deh er;ty\" write hut\k´. 1.2, (= that is correct)

1.4 9 what [noun]? > Ba and see the Topical Vocabulary out for someone > ye´-pe-deh > H ouq-pa-dehhut\påty\" 5.3

[noun]-le´h? Ba [noun]-l´ 2.1; for this, that and what er;ep;ty\ you > see the Topical Vocabulary

and see the Topical Vocabulary why? > ba-p’yiq-lo´-le´h? writer, author for You and I

for this, that and what Ba®Ps\lui≥l´ 9 for what pur- (male) > sa-ye´-s’a˘ ya young 9 the youngest son,

´ ´ ´ when? (future) > beh-da´w-le´h? pose? > ba keiq-sa´-ne´h-leh? saer;Sra" (female) > sa-ye- younger son > tha-a˘ ngeh

By\eta.l´ 5.9, when (= at Bakisßn´≥l´ 9 Why have you s’a˘ ya-ma´ saer;Sram" qa;Acy\ 12.3

what time)? > beh-a˘ c’ein-le´h? come to Burma? > Ba˘ ma-pye wrong: to be wrong > hma-deh zero, nought > thoun-nya´ quv

By\AK¥in\l´ 5.9 when? (past) > ba-keiq-sa´-ne´h la-dha˘ le´h? m˙a;ty\ (0) 1.4

beh-dou´n-ga´-leh? By\tuM;kl´ bma®pv\ Bakisßn´≥ laql´" 9.7 year (countword) > -hniq -N˙s\" 9.4 zoo > ta˘ reiq-s’an-youn tirsÍan\RuM and see the Topical Vocabulary or Ba louq-p’o´ la-da-le´h? Ba yellow > a˘ wa Awå (“animal building”)

for this, that and what lup\Pui≥ latal´" 9.8 and see the yes (= I agree, I understand, where from? > beh-ga´-le´h? Topical Vocabulary for this, that’s right) > H ouq-ke´h By\kl´" 9 What country are that and what

you from? > Beh-nain-ngan- wife(normal level of politeness) >

´ ´

ga´-(la-dha˘ )leh? By\Nuic\cMk a˘ myo-tha˘ mı´Am¥oi;qm^; 12.1,

(laq)l´" 9.2 and see the Topi- (deferential) > za˘ nı´zn^;, (casual) cal Vocabulary for this, that and > meın-ma´ ´ min\;m 12.1 and see

what the Topical Vocabulary for kin where to? > Beh-le´h? By\l´" 9 terms

Where are you going to? > wind > le el" the wind blows,

´ Beh thwa´-ma˘ leh? By\ to be windy > le*taiq-teh

q∑a;ml´" 5.1 and see the Topical el*tuik\ty\"

Vocabulary for this, that and wood > thiq-tha´qs\qa;

what wool > tho´-mwe qui;em∑;" woollen

´ ´

where, in which place > Beh- jersey > tho-mwe eın-ji´ hma-le´h? By\m˙al´ 2.3 and see qui;em∑;Ak¥Ç the Topical Vocabulary for this, work > a˘ louq Alup\ 9.7, to work, that and what do a job > a˘ louq*louq-teh

which [noun]? > Beh [noun]- Alup\*lup\ty\ 9.8 le´h? By\ [noun]-l ´ which workshop > a˘ louq-youn Alup\RuM

[noun]? 9 which one? > Beh- (“work building”) ha-le´h? By\hal´ 1.11 and see worth: to be worth the price, the Topical Vocabulary for this, good value > tan-deh tn\ty\ that and what wrist watch > leq-paq-na-yi white > a˘ p’yu A®Pø lk\pt\nar^

Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut. Pronounce ei as in vein, ai as in Thailand, ou as in though, au as in Sauerkraut.