There are eight parts of speech in the English language.
(1) Noun
A noun is a name of a person, place, thing, or concept.
It may be classified as (a) Proper noun (b) Common noun (c) Collective noun (d) Abstract noun.
(2) Verb
A verb usually describes an action or a process.
It may be classified as (a) Transitive verb (b) Intransitive verb.
(3) Pronoun
A pronoun stands for a noun. Associated with a pronoun is person and number.
When we speak, the first person is the one who speaks. The second person is the one being spoken two. The third person is some other being referenced.
Number may be Singular or Plural. If there is only one person, we say it is singular. If there is more than one, we say it is plural. In English, the term “You” may be singular or plural.
(4) Adjective
It is a Modifier
An Adjective usually modifies a Noun or Pronoun.
(5) Adverb
It is a Modifier
An Adverb usually modifies a Verb.
(6) Conjunction
It is a Connector
A Conjunction (such as And or But) connects two parts of a Sentence
(7) Preposition
It is a Connector
A Preposition adds information such as position (e.g. in, on, upon, under) and time (e.g. before, after).
(8) Expression of Mood
There are words to express Mood (e.g. surprise).
They are called Exclamation or an Interjection.
Techniques
In a Grammar class, we had to learn two techniques :
Synthesis combining the parts of speech
Analysis breaking down into the parts of speech.
Need for Grammar
Many native speakers read and write fluently without caring much for grammar.
Knowledge of grammar is needed in
Formal Languages
Automata Theory
Compilers
Translation
Natural Language Understanding and Processing
Burmese
In middle school, we had to study မြန်မာသဒ္ဒါ based on the text by Saya U Pe Maung Tin.
Parts of Speech
နာမ် — noun
ကြိယာ — verb
နာမ်စား — pronoun
နာမဝိသေသန — adjective
ကြိယာဝိသေသန — adverb
သမ္ဗန္ဒ။ — conjunction
ဝိဘတ် — preposition
အာမေဋိတ် — interjection
Pali
Parts of Speech
Pali has only four parts of speech.
Noun
Pronoun
Verb
Clitics (which are equivalent to conjunctions and interjections).
When the Korean War erupted in 1950 with the USA and China as the main protagonists, I was a child [probably too young to comprehend the details], but the interest in the war and its impact intensified as I grew older. Imperial Japan ruled Korea from 1910 to 1945. At the end of the Second World War, USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic) declared war on Japan [supposedly] with the aim of dividing Korea. With the approval of the US, the Soviet Union claimed North of the 38th Parallel. The USA took control of South Korea. Japan conceded defeat and left Korea.
The conflict between the Governments of North Korea and South Korea escalated into a full-scale war. With the backing of the Soviet Union and China, the North Korea army invaded South Korea in June, 1950. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the invasion and passed a resolution to defend South Korea. Twenty one nations (including US) sent forces to defend South Korea.
About two months – in the early phase of the war – South Korean forces suffered losses and had to retreat. Then, the counter attacks of the UN forces were able to “severe” the connections of the North Korean fighting units. In the middle of 1951, China sent forces to aid the North Korean army. UN forces retreated.
I am not trying to describe the Korean War in detail. I want to emphasize the intensive use of man power to engage in traditional combat. Note that there were occasional uses of bombers. During the three years (June 25th 1950 to July 27th 1953), there was a huge number of dead, wounded, POW (prisoners of war), and MIA (missing in action). The following statistics show the ghastly nature of the war. Note that only South Koreans are accounted for “South Korea & the 21 nations sent by UN”.
South Korea 178,426 Dead 566,434 Wounded & POW
North Korea 300,000 (estimate) Dead 303,000 Wounded; 120,000 POW
China 400,000+ (estimate) Dead 486,000 Wounded; 21,000 POW
Civilian Casualty 2.5 million South Koreans 1.5 million North Koreans
(2)
From the list of casualties, we can clearly see the striking amount of dead and wounded for both soldiers and civilians. In particular, China – the most populated nation in the world – is estimated to have 900 thousand dead and wounded. Imagine, how many soldiers China must have sent to help North Korea. The News Media of that time coined the phrase “Sea of men” to describe the Chinese army battling the Korean War. One can envision the mass of fighters as an vast open sea.
We have witnessed two “Sea of men” in our mother land. We saw the first Sea in 1988. We are seeing the second Sea now [in 2015]. The poem “Sea of men” was written in September 1988, but it was censored. One does not need to think twice to guess why I wrote the poem.
SEA OF MEN
Water – drop by drop
countless drops assemble
as a water flow
Water flows – collectively
rushing, hustling, bustling –
transforming into a stream
From streams
to twisting, turning and winding rivers
to the whorl of the sea
Very long and broad – vast expanse
waves – agitated by winds – rise high
with grudge and anger
to put down [intruders]
It’s SACCA (“Thitsar” – Truth of nature)
[Rower] holding an oar
thrusting into the water
hoping to harness the wave, but …
[Helmsman] on board a ship
with engine roaring
hoping to split the wave, but …
Only for a short while
the waves seem to loosen –
with sprinkles and sprouts
turn into vortex with immense power –
stronger than ever
One can never break up determined men
It’s SACCA (“Thitsar” – Truth of nature).
September 23rd, 1988
The current “Sea of men” is not for sending people to fight as in the Korean War. It is SACCA [“Thitsar” – Truth of nature] that people, who had to breathe for a long, long time polluted air and strive in an environment with degradation in economics, health, civics, ethics, and education, WOULD assemble VOLUNTARILY in the hope of breathing pure, clean air once again. Does not one like gentle breeze? Does not one want to enjoy fragrances that are carried by the breeze? Sad to note that some of the drains that are left uncleaned are making the air unfit to breathe. Worse still, the defamatory attacks by some have further degraded the air quality.
As the November, 2015 elections draw close, we see “Sea of men”. People truly want to understand and differentiate the ones who really care to upgrade the quality life of lay people, from those, who tend to ignore the people and care only for their own.
Updates
Saya Moe
Saya had medical problems, but he did not stop writing articles & kabyars.
Kabyar
Thanks Saya for your presents — books, magazines, sar saungs & pasoe
In our younger days, tears would not fall easily even when one is forsaken by a lover.
Later, even when one’s parents passed away (especially untimely), one sensed grief and might shed a few tears.
A few years back (in April, 2013) we told the workers (masons, carpenters, painters …) not to bring their lunch boxes the following day, since we would be offering requisites (robes, medicine, Nawakama, Soon) and that they would have Dan Bauk (Birayani).
The next day, the workers brought their lunch boxes as usual.
Asked “Why?”
They replied, “We want to take back Dan Bauk to feed our children, who have never eaten such delicacy.”
My heart ached (thinking of the hard lives of the workers and their families).
Tears were ready to roll down. (There were Tears of Sorrow followed by Tears of Joy – appreciating the metta and cetana of parents.)
Note for the revised article: Should we substitute Dan Bauk with Two Eggs?
Editor’s Notes
Due to the pandemic, the former Rice Bowl of Asia is facing food shortage.
Due to misdirected policies, the purchasing power of Burmese Currency has declined.
Thanks to Ko Htoo and Ko Hta, many starving families have temporary relief in the form of Food Coupons (e.g by Mg Mar Ga, Shwe Zin Ma and their supporters).
I earlier translated Saya’s article about the K1000 (gratitude gift) by his mother-in-law to purchase a bowl of Khauk Swe.
Feedback
Saya U Moe Aung wrote :
Dear Ko Hla Min
As a matter of fact, I really cherished the article you’ve rendered into English recently. By the way, DanBauk is Briyani or, Birayani, as per your usage above?
Excellent rendition, cheers!!
Tekkatho Moe WarBook Present from Tekkatho Moe War
Dreams Jules Verne was a dreamer. Many of his dreams became reality.
Oral & Written History Several sayas have passed away. A few have memory loss. We should at least have Oral History.
Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife After submitting sample articles, I was accepted as a contributing author.
Blog It stands for a web log. There are platforms for posting blogs.
Contributors Several sayas, alumni & friends submitted news, photos and articles for my Newsletter and Website.
Dreams
Jules Verne
He dreamed of traveling
to the Moon and back
in a hot air balloon
in a submarine 20000 leagues under the sea
to the center of the earth
around the world in 80 days (a remarkable feat for his time)
He inspired people to transform most of his dreams into reality.
Apollo
In his book, Jules Verne sent three men from a Cape in Florida to orbit the moon, return safely to earth. He used a powerful cannon to achieve the velocity to escape the earth’s atmosphere.
A century later — in December 1968 — Apollo 8 with Frank Borman, James Lovell and Bill Anders made Verne’s dream a reality. The space ship was launched from Cape Canaveral (later renamed Cape Kennedy), which is within striking distance of the spot chosen by Jules Verne.
In July 1969, Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon.
When President John F. Kennedy proclaimed, “Before this decade is out, we will send men to the moon and then bring them back safely to earth”, there was no substantial plan to support his dream.
Verner von Braun, a German rocket scientist (who was captured by the Allied Forces as a Prisoner of War), and his team were given a “level of trust” to work on the NASA project.
It would need baby steps : Mercury, Gemini and Apollo projects to have one, two and three astronauts to man the space ships.
For the Apollo project, it was not clear how to implement the important phase of bringing the astronauts safely back to the earth. e.g. How can a direct hit to the moon cause a safe return to earth?
Folklore said that one engineer scribbled on his lunch bag a “spider” landing on the moon and returning. His dream resulted in the design of the “Lunar Module”. The rest is history.
Book
Take away
If you can dream, others can fulfill [your dream].
My dream two decades ago
I dreamed that I would be able to get the sayas and alumni get reconnected electronically and physically.
In 1999, we established the RIT Alumni Newsletter and the RIT web site (with the expertise of U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76, web master)).
In October 2000, with the help of sponsors and volunteers, the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in San Francisco, California, USA.
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Seven SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe’s) have been held : SPZP-2000 (in the US), SPZP-2002 (in Singapore), SPZP-2004 (in Yangon), SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 (in Singapore), SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016 (in Yangon). Due to pandemic, SPZP-2000 was canceled.
My recent dream
My recent dream was to get as many contributors and volunteers to compile an informal story of
Our beloved land
Our ancestors
Our mentors
Pioneers and prime movers (e.g. those who helped build the “Rice Bowl of Asia”)
Laggards and culprits (e.g. those who dragged Burma into the Least Developing Country status)
Unsung heroes (e.g. who tried to overcome the “Adhamma Era” and rebuild the nation into former glory)
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
Dreaming and creating inspiration for others to be able to fulfill your dreams are two different animals, if you will, by themselves.
I, like many others, have dreams but we do not have your dedication. perseverance and drive to inspire others.
As I have said many times here, my hats off to you, I am very proud to be considered your friend, and informal pupil.
And to your significant other to take care of you/look after you and your sons while you would be deep into these projects. Please convey my regards to Ma Sein Yie.
Oral and Written History
There were some Sayas that were over 90. H Num Kok (C), U Soe Khaw (Mining), U Ba Toke (Maths), U Min Wun (C) and U Ba Than (M) have passed away.
The leading Thet Kyee sayas include U Tin U (C), U Aung Khin (M), Dr. Aung Gyi (Rector, C) and U Myo Myint Sein (A).
Many of our sayas are in their 80s.
While they still have high energy and keen memory, we need volunteers to either formally interview them or to record the conversations.
They can become the artifacts of the Oral History section of an engineering library (preferably the YTU Library).
There can also be a section to archive the Written History.
H Num Kok (GBNF)
Saya H Num Kok
He taught Engineering Drawing to Dr. Aung Gyi and U Min Wun.
He taught Soil Mechanics to the younger Sayas.
He served as President of the RIT Track & Field Association with U Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68) as Secretary and U Myo Nyunt (C69) as Joint Secretary.
He served as Line Judge at the RUBC Regattas along with Saya U Sein Win (GBNF) and Saya Dr. San Hla Aung.
He was loved by his former students. They showed up at the Welcome Party in Yangon for Saya a few years ago. Saya took home the banner of the event to his home in Portland, Oregon, USA.
He worked full-time until he turned 80.
He was reasonably healthy in his early 90s.
He passed away at the age of 98.
U Soe Khaw (GBNF)
U Soe Khaw
He was Part-time Lecturer & Head of Mining Engineering at BOC College.
U Soon Sein succeeded him as full-time saya and Head of the Department.
He worked for the Ministry of Mining before heading out for overseas assignment.
After retirement from the United Nations, he migrated to the USA.
He was actively involved in selected monasteries in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF), Saya Dr. San Lin (C62) and I had a Lunch gathering with him. The gathering ended near to a Dinner gathering. The three sayas shared their memories.
He was healthy physically and mentally before his beloved spouse’s demise.
A few years later, he passed away.
He is a cousin of Dr. Htut Saing (Harry, Past Captain and Gold of RUBC, GBNF).
U Ba Toke (GBNF)
U Ba Toke
He is a Phwa Bet Taw of the University of Rangoon and the First RU Students’ Strike in December 1920.
Book
His life journey had been recorded and published by his former student Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Maung Thin Char) with the help of Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khine (daughter of Arzani Mahn Ba Khine).
During my visits to Yangon, I paid respect to Saya. He gave me autographed copy of the book.
He was an athlete. He played soccer in his younger days. He headed the Burmese team to Tokyo Olympics.
He used to walk every weekend with his younger Dhamma friends to Shwe Dagon Pagoda.
At the subsequent visits, I found the decline of his health but not his mental acumen.
Saya passed away on December 2, 2020 the day after the RU Centennial, and several days short of his birthday on December 26.
U Tin U
U Tin U
He gave an interview for HMEE-2012 Project.
When the Rangoon University reopened in 1946 (after the war), he attended RU along with Dr. Pe Nyun & Dr. Pe Thein.
Most of his former classmates are GBNF.
He is the Oldest & Most Senior Past Captain of RUBC.
He represented RUBC in the 1948 Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi along with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein & U Khin Maung Wint.
He opened the RUBC Centennial Celebrations in December 2023.
He is Past Captain of Rangoon Golf Club. He played golf until his early 80s.
He still enjoys the evenings sitting in the lawn and enjoying Scotch Whiskey.
U Ba Than (GBNF)
U Ba Than
He passed away in early 2024.
His elder brother Saya U Tin U (96 years) is still strong and active.
Some thought that their longevity is due to their genes. Sadly, their father passed away in his 60s after raising nine successful sons and daughters.
Until a period before his demise, Saya remembered most of his former students well.
Several students have seen his photo albums. Many photos were given to MES for display and to HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) for display in the book and the supplemental CD.
He is a proud sponsor of the History project along with U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and U Thaw Kaung (former Chief Librarian of the Rangoon University Central Library).
He donated almost all of the Garawa money that he received from the SPZPs and his former students.
U Aung Khin
U Aung Khin 1U Aung Khin 2
After retirement as Professor & Head of Mechanical Engineering, he moved to Canada.
He still plays Tennis & Golf.
He does not want to fly long distances.
He is spending quality time with his children and grand children.
Ivan Lee (M69) organized two trips to visit Windsor, Canada and pay respect to Saya.
Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun & U Maung Maung Than
Saya U Min Wun & Saya Dr. Aung Gyi
Dr. Aung Gyi is healthy except for some hearing loss. He attended most SPZPs and Reunions held in the USA, Singapore and Myanmar. He wrote several articles for the RIT Alumni International Newsletter.
Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun (GBNF) and U Maung Maung Than (GBNF) were the initial group of Engineering students sent to study at the prestigious Universities in the USA under the “Twinning Program”.
For some time, U Min Wun (GBNF) could not travel far as he has to take care of his beloved spouse with some health problems. His former students from Myanmar paid respect to Saya in Los Angeles. They also brought Garawa money from the various Civil gatherings in Myanmar. Sadly, he passed away a year ago.
U Maung Maung Than (GBNF) served as Chair of the RIT Sports Council during our days. He played Chinlon. He is also a musician.
HMEE Projects
For the HMEE-2012 Project, we requested the former Heads of the Engineering Departments to write about the history of their departments. The book was published in December 2012.
HMEE 1HMEE 2
The HMEE-2018 Project was established to revise the book published by HMEE-2012 and to provide additional material for the planned two-volume book. However, it did not run into completion partly because of the demise of Saya U Aung Hla Tun and partly because of the calamities.
Sense of urgency
Several sayas have passed away and some sayas have declining physical and mental heath.
We sense that the window for having a comprehensive Written History and Oral History is shrinking.
There is still some time to learn from our sayas and their contemporaries about the different facets of Myanmar Engineering Education.
Their stories can become gems for the Archives.
MEC, MES and RIT Alumni Association can help with the project.
Written History
Several sayas wrote articles and/or notes for
“RIT Alumni International Newsletter” & updates
Swel Daw Yeik Sar Sarsaung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010
The articles can become artifacts of the Written History section of an engineering library (preferably the YTU Library).
Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife
Encyclopedia
Nine of my articles appear in the Encyclopedia.
The three-volume book was published by ABC-CLIO in 2011. The book was sold for $275.
I received a book for completing eight articles according to the agreement and $10 (for the additional article).
Burmese Americans are covered in Pages 127 to 178 of Volume One.
The Editors decided to merge two of my articles with other authors. Unfortunately, an error introduced by my co-author. On page 150, he mentioned July 22 (instead of July 19) as Martyrs’ Day. The merged article unfortunately was not sent to me for review. The Editors promise to correct the error in subsequent editions.
Folk tales (as told by Saya Dr. Htin Aung and Ludu U Hla) are part of the Folklore.
To read my articles on-line, you should go to “Google Books” and then search “Hla Min“.
Blog
Diary, journal, log, and blog (web log) are ways and means to record one’s experience and thoughts.
Blogging is fun. One can just write down one’s thoughts without caring for academic integrity or historical precision. One does not have to write comprehensive reports. Several readers (mostly SMEs or Subject Matter Experts) point out errors (typos, discrepancies).
Not all media and social media are created equal. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, Facebook is a great way to get connected and reconnected (with long lost friends), but it requires time and energy to navigate the “rolling” and “revolving” posts.
I blog in my Facebook page and then share it with one or more FB pages (mainly “RIT Update”). As time and energy permit, I archive the posts along with the relevant feedback to
hlamin.com (my paid web site)
One does not need an account to read my posts on the web sites.
If you search “Hla Min” on the web, it will return (a) a former colonel (b) a former minister (c) an educator (d) some medical tests & results on HLA (e) some of my works
If you specify “RIT” or “TBSA”, the search engine will return my writings in the Newsletters.
If you go to “Google Books”, then you can find my articles for “Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife”.
On the long run, I hope to post “more complete treatment” of topics. As Dr. Nyunt Wai commented, it is a necessary, important and time consuming step to transform my raw materials into a form presentable as an e-book or printed book. I need volunteers to realize my dream and wishes (of an amateur historian, story teller and life long learner) before my reasonably good memory starts to fade away.
There is a saying, “Speech is silver. Silence golden.”
It does not mean that we should stay silent all the time.
If one does not have meaningful things to say, it is better to remain silent rather than rambling or engaging in frivolous talk.
Duration of speech
The length of a speech varies.
President Abraham Lincoln was requested to give a “few appropriate remarks” at Gettysburg. His address consisted of ten sentences. It was delivered in less than two minutes (which was not long enough for the official photographer to record the historic moment).
Typically, Elevator speeches last 30 – 45 seconds, Impromptu Speech (e.g. Table Topics) last 1 – 2 minutes, Prepared Speeches last 5 – 7 minutes, TED talks lastless than 18 minutes), Keynote speeches last 45 – 60 minutes with Q&A.
Message
It is usually more important than the messenger.
The speaker should provide a “take away” or an “action item”.
Training / Aids
I had a book of the 40+ speeches given by notable people (e.g. Winston Churchill).
Rotary Club, Kiwani’s Club and Toastmasters International provide guidance and training for communication (Public Speaking and Leadership).
I am a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM).
Hla Min (DTM) 1 koHla Min (DTM) 2Toastmaster 1 Toastmaster 2
Speeches
Inaugural address by Abraham Lincoln
John F Kennedy’s speech about Moon Mission
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is known for “The Last Lecture”, where a Professor presents to an audience (e.g. those present for his forthcoming Retirement). Randy Pausch, who was diagnosed with Cancer, gave an up-lifting “The Last Lecture”. It can be viewed on You Tube. It has also been made into a book.
Steve Jobs gave a Commencement Speech at Stanford University. It can be viewed on the Internet. In three parts, he connected the dots (e.g. taking a Calligraphy course to the aesthetic Font designs on Apple Computers.
Contributing Editor for the Commemorative issue of the RUBC 90th Anniversary Magazine
Proposed to write Prelude for each section
HCA lasted less than an hour. I completed the Prelude for all sections.
UCC and ICST (Jan 2018)
ICST
Attended the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST as a Member of Generation Zero
Later gave a guest lecture at UCSY (University of Computer Studies in Yangon).
In my desire to pay back to UCC, I wrote 30+ posts on “Memories of UCC” in three days of HCA.
Phyu Phyu Kyaw (my former student) told me that I should not be spending too much time in Yangon reminiscing about UCC. She asked, “Would you like to have a two-night three-day vacation at Bagan?”
Sharing Knowledge / Experience (2018 – Present)
After I came back to the USA, I decided to share my memories with my sayas and alumni.
My spouse told me that we should pay back to our beloved land, our ancestors and our mentors.
Started posting “Trivia” to my Facebook friends. Then opened up to the General Public.
Started revising and archiving in my web site: hlamin.com
Posted on selected Facebook Pages : RIT Updates, Myanmar, Memories and Fun with Learning
I am a “Jack of All Trades, and Master of Some”, Mini-Dictionary, Micro-Google, Life long learner, Distinguished Toastmaster, Amateur historian (former Docent of the Computer History Museum), “Sar Pay Chit Thu စာပေချစ်သူ” : freelance writer, editor & translator, Volunteer for alumni, religious & social organizations.
Depending on my HCA, I have written and/or updated dozens of posts daily.
“I love you because” (sung by Jim Reeves) was a hit played by Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS).
I wrote a light version of the song.
I did not have a Home Minister at that time to edit or veto it.
I love you because (Lyrics)
I love you because you always stand dear every time I opened up the door You’re always there to help me eat my jam dear I love you more because you never snore.
No matter When you’re sleeping or awake dear You’re pretty as the craters on the moon I love you every minute of the hour dear Because you said You’d cry beside my tomb
I love you because my pocket’s lighter every time you shop around the town I love you because you’re a great fighter But you promised you would never knock me down
Take These Chains (Parody by HlaMin)
“Take these chains” was a song that was played often by BBS.
Thamankyar Ko Myint (Mn70) sang a Burmese song using the tune.
I tried to parody the song.
Take these chains (Lyrics)
Take these chains from my legs and set me free And the rope that ties me to this tree If you really pity me let me drink a glass of Zee Take these chains from my legs and set me free
I’m charged with murder of a tiny, little flea “Cruel” said the judge and he would not hear my plea. So, if you really pity me let me sip a cup of tea Take these chains from my legs and set me free
Take this scarf from my eyes and let me see If your waist still measures twenty three When I’m free I’ll marry you Even barrel shape will do Take these chains from my legs and set me free
Lost Neikban RIT (Parody by U Myat Htoo)
U Myat HtooLost Neikban
U Myat Htoo wrote a parody on “Pyauk Sone Nay Thaw Neikban Bon” (the song by Sai Kham Leik and Sai Htee Saing).
Played the Ukelele and sang the song at the 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles, and at NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner.
HlaMin 