Burmese[a] is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Myanmar, [2] where it is the official language, lingua franca, and the native language of the Bamar, the country's largest ethnic group. The Burmese people call their own language Bamar or Myanmar and it is the main language spoken throughout the country. About 70 percent of the people of Burma speak one or other of the Burma Group of languages while the percentage of those speaking Burmese is estimated at ninety.

Understanding the Context

In 1989 the country’s official English name, which it had held since 1885, was changed from the Union of Burma to the Union of Myanmar; in the Burmese language the country has been known as Myanma (or, more precisely, Mranma Prañ) since the 13th century. Burmese, or Myanmar, is a member of the Lolo-Burmese branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It is spoken mainly in Myanmar (Burma), where it is the official language. The name of the country of Burma (or Myanmar, as it is now officially known) is associated with the dominant ethnic group, the Burmese.

Key Insights

Because of the current regime's lack of legitimacy and poor human rights record, it is common practice outside the country not to use the name Myanmar. If you’re interested in learning Burmese for travel, business, or cultural understanding, this guide will introduce you to its alphabet, pronunciation, sentence structure, and common phrases to help you begin your journey into this fascinating language. Burmese is the official language of Myanmar, linguistically related to Tibetan and Chinese. It is written in circular and semi-circular letters, derived from the Mon character. The alphabet is an imitation of the Mon character which evolved from the male Indian character in the 700s.

Final Thoughts

Read about the Burmese language, its dialects and find out where it is spoken. Learn about the structure and get familiar with the alphabet and writing.