There is a National Foreign Language Center (NLFC) at the University of Maryland (College Park). It used to provide free (or limited) access to Federal employees and eligible educators to study languages (e.g. French, Chinese, Arabic).
For a number of years, it chose from among the languages used by minorities to add introductory level courses to its library. One year NFLC decided to develop Listening and ReadingComprehension for basic Burmese. It sent request to professors, scholars and Burmese associations to help with the project.
I was accepted to be the Language Advisor for the Burmese project. The Listening Comprehension consists of broadcasts (e.g. Win Pe Lwai Eik). The Reading Comprehension consists of short articles (e.g. Ayotha Pyinnya Wun U Po Kyar).
Specific fonts and browsers were needed to read the script for the Listening and Reading Comprehension. English translations were provided. My task was to ensure the quality (e.g. correctness of the translation). Exercises were provided.
As a contributor to the project, I had access to LangNet. NFLC no longer offers free access. Individuals and groups can subscribe to its courses for nominal fees.
In our younger days, we were taught that there are eight parts of speech in the English language.
A Noun is a name of a person, place, thing, or concept. A noun may be classified as Proper noun, Common noun, Collective noun or Abstract noun.
A Verb usually describes an action or a process. A verb may be Transitive or Intransitive.
Instead of repeating a noun several times, we may use Pronouns. A pronoun stands for a Noun. Grammar books will give classification such as Person and Number of a Pronoun. When we speak, the first person is the one who speaks; the second person is the one being spoken to, and the third person is some other being referenced. 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 both singular and plural.
There are Modifiers. An Adjective usually modifies a Noun or Pronoun. An Adverb usually modifies a Verb.
There are Connectors. A Conjunction (such as And or But) connects two parts of a Sentence (which is constructed using the parts of speech, and makes “complete sense”.) A Preposition adds information such as position (e.g. in, on, upon, under) and time (e.g. before, after).
There are words to express Mood (e.g. surprise). They are also called Exclamation or an Interjection.
Notes
There are two techniques : Synthesis (combining the parts of speech) and Analysis (breaking down into the parts of speech).
Most have Cataracts removed from one or both eyes. A few had Full or Partial transplant of the Cornea. Some had Retina Tear repaired. Glaucoma and several other factors can cause impaired Vision.
Saya U Ba Toke played soccer and was active in the RU Sports Council. In his 70s and early 80s, Saya took weekly walks from his house to the Shwe Dagon pagoda. Aging gradually restricted Saya’s mobility, hearing and eye sight. Saya passed away on December 2, 2020 (the day following the RU Centennial), but a few days short of his Centennial Birthday.
When Saya U Moe Aung encountered problem with his knee during a trip to Upper Burma to attend Ah Hlu of a Khamee Khamet, he composed a poem on “Stationary & Movement” with philosophical musings about Life, Illness and Death. A surgery relieved Saya from the use of wheel chair, but as a high school goalkeeper he values Mobility, Agility & Strength.
Sayagadaw appreciated Saya U Moe Aung’s “Poem Gift” on her birthday.
Bagyee Myat Myo Myint gave “Pon Tu” of the then Marla Hall Thu as a birthday present for his beloved spouse.
Ko Aung Min (M69) used the term Vitamin F in an invitation to the 69er Annual Dinner and Entertainment.
Saya U Moe Aung wrote :
Actually, before suffering from knee pain, I had cataract removed from my left eye some 30 or so years back (couldn’t recall which year) and then from my right eye after a lapse of about 10 years. But, I was lucky, so to speak, that up till the present, haven’t yet encountered any problem whatsoever except the need to change the power lens for a better viewing focus.
U Aung Min (M69) wrote :
I had right eye cornea transplantation 19 years ago, but unsuccessful . Again cataract removal on left eye It’s OK up to now.
A generalist is a person who knows less and less about more and more until he/she practically knows nothing about everything. A specialist is a person who knows more and more about less and less until he/she practically knows everything about nothing.
Optimist, Pessimist and Realist
An optimist sees a glass as “Half full”. A pessimist sees the same glass as “Half empty”. A realist tries to figure the direction (of the water) before commenting as either “Half Full” or “Half Empty”.
RIT Jokes
Set Hmu [Maung] Thein Aung
U Thein Aung (M72) presents the differentiation with U Thein Aung (Met72). I am Set Hmu — Maung Thein Aung. I am Maung Thein Aung studying Set Hmu (Mechanical Engineering). He is Set Hmu Maung — Thein Aung. He is Thein Aung, who won Set Hmu Maung (Mr. RIT with Sa Lwei Thaing) in 1968.
Ba La Gyi vs. Ba Lar Gyi
During his RIT days, U Thein Aung (Met72) was “Ba La Gyi” (full of strength and prowess). Lately, he has become “Ba Lar Gyi” (nothing notable left).
Kar Ku La Thin Char
Saya U Aung Myint (Pet69, Kyant Ba Hone) drew a cartoon:
“Ah Ba, Kar Ku La Thin Char (Calculus) is fascinating. If you differentiate a La Da, you get a Sargalay. If you integrate a Sargalay, you get back a La Da“.
At a 69er gathering, Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69) greeted U Khin Maung Win (EP69) as Sargalay. He replied, “I am no longer Sargalay. I have became a La Da.”
Saya U Sein Win
He is an alumnus of the University of Michigan, USA. He retired as Professor of Electrical Power Department at YTU. He was Technical Advisor for the UCC Project.
Saya left his brand new spouse at Hledan Zay and had a hair cut. He went back to RIT, and had a long discussion with his students. The students asked, “How is Sayagadaw?” Saya’s reply : “Let’s end the discussion. It’s past time I should have picked her up at the Zay”.
Einstein
In our younger days, there were jokes about Sir Isaac Newton.
Later, there were jokes about Albert Einstein.
It is possible that someone made or modified a joke about an absent minded professor and then attributed to a famous person.
Einstein (1)
It was raining. Einstein took off his hat and hid it in his coat. A student asked “Why?” Einstein’s reply : “My hat is new and can be damaged. But my head cannot be damaged by the rain.”
Einstein (2)
A ticket inspector boarded a train. Einstein searched for his pockets. The inspector said, “You need not show me the ticket. You are Einstein.” Einstein’s reply : “I do not know which stop I should get down.”
Einstein (3)
Einstein was carrying a stack of books. He collided with a beautiful student. The books fell down. The student collected the books and returned them to Einstein. Einstein asked, “Which way was I going?” The student replied, “You were going towards the school.” Einstein felt relieved. “Then, I must had my lunch at home.”
It is a time honored tradition to pay respect to one’s parents, mentors and elders.
Garawa can be performed at any time.
Thadingyut is one occasion where most Burmese pay respect to their elders.
In our younger days, some come to our parent’s house with BOC candles, bananas, or token items of gratitude.
Several former students (mostly retired Professors) paid respect to Saya Dr. Soe Win (retired Rector of YUFL) and Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin (Chemistry).
Saya earlier missed the Puzaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY, since he was hospitalized for about 10 days.
Dr. Soe Win wrote :
It’s absolutely amazing how you put together your Trivia with accuracy, correct timing and up-to-date. It’s not enough to say you are a walking encyclopedia. I enjoy and benefited by your Trivias as do many others. Thank you.
