Letter

Myanmar: Protect and Promote Multilingualism

March 31, 2015 265

Tuesday 31 March 2015

MEDIA STATEMENT: for immediate release

Myanmar: Protect and Promote Multilingualism

[Yangon, Myanmar] Following the conclusion of a two-day national seminar focused on the rich diversity of languages in Myanmar, and the need to preserve, protect, and promote them, titled Continuum of theRichness of Languages and Dialects in Myanmar, the Chin Human Rights Organization issues the following statement.

Myanmar has always been a nation of rich diversity in terms of its ethnicity, languages, dialects, and cultures. Multilingualism will continue to be a hallmark of the nation. Myanmar should ensure the continuum of the richness of languages and dialects, as they represent this country’s rich historicity, culture, and traditions, and the overall collective wisdom of its ancestors.

Multilingualism is an essential resource rather than a hindrance to any country. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that encouragement of it has many potential social and other benefits. Many countries with highly multilingual populations like Myanmar’s have in the past lost their linguistic wealth, and many more in the present stand to lose their languages due to complex factors.

We, therefore, recommend that Myanmar, in its nation building process, develop a formal language policy which takes into consideration the need to:

Guarantee the preservation, protection, and the promotion of all of its languages and dialects (as practiced by its various ethnic groups), alongside the majority language;
Adopt multilingualism in primary, secondary, and tertiary education to adequately prepare and empower future generations to fully and equally participate in the development of the country;
Ensure adequate institutional and financial support for the promotion of multilingualism in Myanmar.

About the Seminar

The Continuum of the Richness of Languages and Dialects in Myanmar, organized by the Chin Human Rights Organization at the Summit Parkview Hotel in Yangon from 25 – 26 March 2015, brought together key stakeholders from different ethnic groups, including ethnic political parties, literature and culture committees, student and youth representatives, and ethnic armed groups, as well as renowned academics from prestigious universities around the world.

The panelists presented papers exploring the rich linguistic diversity of Tibeto-Burman languages, which include Kachinic, Kuki-Chin, Mon, and Lolo-(Burmish) languages and dialects, and discussed the risk factors for language endangerment in Myanmar. The academics also explored models and theories of second language acquisition and language shift, and examined language policies in other countries, as well as models of non-State ethnic education in Myanmar in Mon and Karen States.

-ENDS

To arrange a media interview, please contact:

Mai Thin Yu Mon, CHRO Program Officer: +95(0)942 004 5830