Forms of the words "Burma" and "Myanmar" have existed for centuries, and mean about the same thing. In fact, neither explanation is entirely accurate. The Burmese government, on the other hand, has argued that the word "Burma" referred only to the country's largest ethnic group, and that "Myanmar" was the more inclusive term. Those who prefer "Burma," as the country was known until 1989, argue that "Myanmar" lacks legitimacy because the name change occurred without the consent of the Burmese people. The decision of which name to use is more political than linguistic. Is it time for the world's "Burma" holdouts to embrace Myanmar? NPR tries to split the difference, with the clumsy "Myanmar, which is also called Burma." The Washington Post and the Atlantic use "Burma." But The New York Timesand The Economist go with Myanmar. " I am optimistic about the possibilities for Myanmar," he said.ĭon't look to the English-language media for an answer. Arriving in the country Thursday for the start of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting, the president opted not to use "Burma." policy to call the country Burma in most contexts." But President Obama apparently disagrees. According to the State Department, "it remains U.S. In a case of life imitating art, 18 years later Americans are no closer to answering the "Burma?" question.
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