There is a NFLC (National Foreign Language Center) at the University of Maryland (College Park), USA.
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.
Burmese
One year NFLC chose to develop Listening and Reading Comprehension listening for basic Burmese. NFLC sent request to Burmese associations to help with the project.
Hla Min
I was accepted as the Language Advisor for the Burmese project.
The listening comprehension consisted of broadcasts (e.g. “Win Pe Lwai Eik”).
The reading comprehension consisted of short articles (e.g. Amyotha Pyinnya Wun U Po Kyar).
Specific fonts and browsers were needed to read the script for the Listening and Reading Comprehension.
An English translation was provided. My task was to ensure the quality (e.g. correctness of the translation).
Exercises were provided
Access
As a contributor to the project, I had access to LangNet
NLC no longer offers free access. Individuals and groups can subscribe to NFLC’s courses for nominal fees.
Okkpo Maung Yin Maung / Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72)
Ba Thein (Atlanta) / Dr. Myint Thein (M73)
Maung Nyunt Htay (Ah Htet Min Hla) / Saya U Nyunt Htay (Met73)
Ko Toe Hmit Che / U Toe Aung (C75)
Maung Yit / Ko Maung Maung Win (EC93)
Nick Names
U Seit To and Myauk Nyo
Cartoon characters
According to Saya U Tin Myint (M80), the nicknames were given to two sayas by G-Hall Thu
Myauk Phyu
White monkey
Ah Yan Kan
Random kicking footballer
Bo Daw
Could be sarcastic
Saya Maung
Given by a girl to her teacher/boy friend
Tar Tay Gyi
Reference to an actor for scary movies
Dauk Soe
Dr. Soe Myint Win (GNBF) was called Dauk Soe by some students
Nyi Nyi & Pho Nyi
Nyi Nyi may be used in a name e.g. Dr. Nyi Nyi
Nyi Nyi and Pho Nyi are used as nicknames e.g. Than Htut (M67, RUBC Gold)
Sonny
May be used in a name e.g. Sonny Yone Sein
May also be used as a nickname e.g. “Sonny” Aung Myint, “Sonny” Soe Naing
Lake or Leit
Ko Win Maung (EE69er) represented RIT in Rowing, Swimming and Water Polo. He is a Back Stroke specialist. He swam the 2000 meters Cross-Lake with Back Stroke. He is known as “Lake” or “Leit” (Tortoise in reference to his Back Stroke swimming). Ko Htay Aung (M59, Burma Selected) and several others using Front Crawl finish quite ahead of Leit. Before graduation, he went to UK for license & training in air craft maintenance. He joined UBA/BAC. He is now an entrepreneur doing family business.
Khwet
Ko Sein Myint (K K Wong, EP69) represented RIT in Rowing, Swimming and Water Polo. Someone transformed his name “Kwet” into “Khwet”. He is a major donor of the 69er Health Care Fund and the EE69er HCF. After retirement, he spends time in Singapore, Yangon and California.
Htaw Kyin
Ko Htin Kyaw (Peter Wun, MEHS63) worked for the Institute of Economics and UCC before joining HIC and FERD. He was called “Htaw Kyin”. Some British could not pronounce his name. They called him “Ha Htin Coil”.
Kyein
Ko Kyaw Nyein (GBNF) taught Numerical Methods and Numerical Analysis at the UCC courses. He played soccer and volley ball. He was fondly called “Kyein”.
Bo Shoke
Ko Mya Thein (GBNF) taught at the Institute of Economics, UCC and IMBTU. He was originally called “Bogyoke” and later became known as “Bo Shoke”.
Ah Thay Lay
Ko Thein Oo taught at the Institute of Economics and UCC. His friends call me “Ah Thay Lay”. He was good at volleyball, table tennis and cards.
Ah Pho Gyi
Ko Tin Maung Thant (son of UNSG U Thant) was fondly called Ah Pho Gyee by his PPBRS classmates
Ko Han Sein (C69, GBNF)
Shwee
Ko Kyaw Zan Hein (C69, GBNF) was admitted to the 2nd BE in 1964 as Roll Number 14. There were no word processors in those days; only the use of cyclostyle (Gestener). So, when the person who was admitted as Roll Number 14, the Administrative Office typed in Shwee’s name instead. Some would call him Kyaw Zan Shwee.
Ngu Yin Kong Kee
It is a Burmanized name of a Vietnamese General.
Saya U Win Kyaing (GBNF) is the paternal uncle of Ko Maurice Chee (M75). Saya is often called Ngu Yin Kong Kee. He was also known as U Wah Kyaing, younger brother of U Wah Kyu.
Hna Khan Hmwe
There are some who have notable mustache.
One such person was Ko Khin Nyo, “Kyaung Tha Thadin Htauk (Student Reporter at RIT)”. According to Ko Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70), he met — several decades later — Ko Khin Nyi without mustache in New York, USA
Pauk Si
Ko Hla Min (L T Gwan, SPHS64, EP70, GBNF) joined UCC as Chief Operator. He was called CO by his colleagues and “Pauk Si” by his close friends. His father loaned money to a Pauk Si vendor, who did not pay back the loan. At break time at SPHS, Ko Hla Min would get Pauk Si from the vendor.
Pauk Pauk
Ma Aye Aye Than (ChE72) is the sister of Sayama Dr. Hla Hla Sein (Maths) and Ma Myint Myint Sein (Diana, M70). Her friends called her Pauk Pauk.
Bu
Ko Myint Maung (EP69) is one of the youngest 69ers and one of the few remaining Eligible Bachelors. He represented RIT EE Department in Volleyball along with Saw Edison, Ko Aye Thein and Sa Maung Maung. He was fondly called “Bu” in reference to “Minbu” (his home town).
Shastri
Ko Khin Maung Myint (C69, GBNF) is called Shastri (former Prime Minister of India).
Ohn Thee
Ko Ohn Thwin (PPFC, GBNF) attended classes at UCC and BARB. He is called “Ohn Thee” (Coconut) by his friends.
May Pa Le
Daw Yee Yee Aung
“May Pa Le” is a two-handed compliment given to selected female RIT students. e.g. Daw Yee Yee Aung (EP67, EC member of RIT EE Association)
It means Miss Pearl (a belle who is Pearly White).
It’s concoction “Mae Pa Le” means “Wow. So dark [complexion]”.
Rocket
Saya U Ko Gyi was a Lecturing Tutor in Mathematics. He is known for reciting the first 100 digits of PI (a constant which is 3.14159265 …). He used Rocket as an example in his classes. For some reason, he named Ma Tin Tin Myint (Emma, ChE70) as “Rocket”. The classmates who witnessed the naming can provide details.
Emma Tin Tin Myint is co-founder of Triple Gems Publication. She is also co-founder of Dana Sri Lanka (DSL). She is called Mae Daw Gyi by the young monks studying in Sri Lanka.
La La
La La is a form of “Kala” or “Kular” (Person of dark color).
Some young dark skinned kids (e.g. Aye Win Hlaing (Abel, EE72)) are given the nickname “La La”.
Ajala
Ajala was a Nigerian student who led demonstrations in front of the US Embassy in Rangoon (in our younger days).
Moe Hein (ChE69) represented RIT in swimming and water polo. He has a loud voice (which is very helpful in supporting RIT athletes in the Inter-Institute Tournaments). He is fondly called Ajala by his close friends.
Maung Kabar
Obituary of Kabar Myint Thein
Maung Kabar was an adorable Cartoon character.
Those who have slightly round faces are called “Maung Kabar” or “Kabar”.
According to Saya U Myat Htoo (C68), his classmate and fellow Saya U Myint Soe (SPHS64, C68) was named “Maung Kabar”.
U Myint Thein (M69) is known as “Maung Kabar”, which shows up in his Obituary.
Bagyi Aung
Bagyi Aung is a fictional character from Min Thu Wun’s short story.
U Hla Aung (EP68) wrote : May I share our time nick names. May Pa Le is Yee Yee Aung (EP67). Her friend is Nancy Hla Aung. My nick name is Ba Gyi Aung.
Three Sizes
In Mechanical Drawing, we learned about scales.
One student gave the nicknames “Half size, Full size and Double size” to three female students.
Two of them were Sayama Daw Mya Mya Than (EP68, “Full size”) and Daw Nyunt Nyunt Zaw (T68, “Double Size”, spouse of Victor Ohn Maung and brother of Ricky Zaw).
Sargalay and Lada
Sargalay is a sparrow.
Lada is a vulture
Khin Maung Win (Sargalay, EP69) was the training partner for Sai Kham Pan (EP69, Burma Selected in Badminton). Kham Pan would give 10 – 12 points bonus to play a 15-point game.
At a reunion, Daw Saw Yu Tint fondly addressed Khin Maung Win as Sargalay. He replied, “I am now a Lada”. He gained a lot of height from 2nd BE to Final Year.
The nickname allows 69ers to differentiate KMW (Sargalay), KMW (Roland Thein), KMW (Donald Ba Pe) and KMW (ChE).
Most 69ers might remember the cartoon by Kyant Ba Hone Aung Myint (Pet69). “Ah Ba. Kar Ku La Thin Char (Calculus) is very fascinating. If we differentiate a Lada, we get a Sargalay. If we integrate a Sargalay, we get a Lada.”
Kywei Gyi
Kywei Gyi is a big, strong Buffalo.
Ko Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68) served as Secretary of the RIT Track and Field Association. He competed in 100 m, 200m, 4 x 100m relay and Long Jump (emulating Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics). He represented RIT in Track and Field, Soccer and Rowing. He is fondly called “Kywei Gyi” for his physical prowess. His elder brother Ko Khin Maung Latt (M63) represented the Faculty of Engineering in Rowing. His brothers-in-law include Saya Dr. Ba Lwin (EE59) and U Tin Myint (son of Arzani U Razak).
Mu Tu
Ko Khin Maung Lay (M70) represented RIT in soccer. He served as emcee (Master of Ceremonies) at the Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65. He is currently a member of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission. He is the younger son of U Khin Maung Latt (AFPFL Minister) and the brother of Saya U Khin Maung Gyi (English, GBNF).
Phone Gyi
Several alumni are called “Phone Gyi” (Monk) by their friends.
Ko Tin Tun (SPHS63, M69) was my classmate since Std. IV(D) at SPHS. His mother Daw Tin Tin would come and feed him at lunch break. He studied and taught Marine Engineering.
Ko Tin Shein (M69) reminded me that we were class mates at the 2nd BE English class of Saya Des and that he gave a talk on Chinlon. He represented RIT in Chinlon.
Ko Soe Myint (M72, GBNF) volunteered as a Kappiya at the Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung. He also helped with the maintenance. He retired as Pro-Rector of ICST.
Chauk Pay
Some tall students are called Chauk Pay (Six Footer).
Ko Htein Win (Richard, M70) represented RIT in Rowing, Swimming and Water Polo, where he tended the goal at the Shallow End. He moved to Canada. He bought the tickets for SPZP-2000, but could not attend it due to a strike.
Ja Bu and Shorty
Some short students are called Ja Bu (Midget) or Shorty.
Ko Myint Sein (M70, GBNF) represented in Soccer.
There were two Bohmus named “Shorty” Tin Myint.
Japan Gyi
Some who were born during the Japanese Occupation were given Japan Gyi as their nick name.
Ko Hla Tun (T69, GBNF) would end most sentences with an expletive. He told me that he was married to Dolly Gale (my primary school classmate and sister of Robert Gale (Khin Maung Oo, EC66)).
Cowboy
Ko Tin Nwe (C69, GBNF) was a jovial person and was called Cowboy by his friends.
Three Old Paulians — Ko Tin Nwe, Ko Min Thaw (Gilbert) and Ko Maung Maung Aye were involved in a car accident after an OPA dinner gathering, but they were not hurt seriously. Sadly, they are now all GBNF.
Duwa
Duwa is a title for a Kachin Leader.
Ko Zau Lai (EP69) spends time in Myitkyina and Yangon. He is an entrepreneur and a Kachin Leader. He often drove a long way from Myitkyina to attend the 69er gatherings.
Bei Oo
Bei Oo is a “Duck Egg”. It may also stand for “Zero”.
Ma Kyi Kyi Sein (T70) represented RIT in Badminton and Hiking. She is an organizer for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.
Kyet Taw
I know some people named Kyet Taw. They may have “Taw” in their names.
Ko Harry Taw (MEHS57) was a friend of my older brother.
Dr. Nyan Taw (Dicky, SPHS63) was my neighbor for some time. We jogged, biked and rowed. He worked at RASU, Pearl and Fishery before moving overseas for assignments (e.g. in Indonesia). He invited me to the wedding receptions of his younger son and daughter.
Ko Khin Maung Lwin is an organizer for the Class of 87 and 91. RIT was closed for three years. He also organized the Golf Tournament for the alumni. He served as Secretary of the Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
Saya San
Saya San is a revolutionary figure in the history of Burma.
Saya [Ko] Maung San studied his Masters in the UK. He often shopped in the “Junior” section. He taught Geology at RIT and ABAC.
I met Ko Aung Than (Saya San) at a meeting for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65. He told me that he had to study for the last ever 7th Standard Government examination.
Gaing Gyi
The Burmese sometimes pronounce “Kyaw” as “Gyaw”; “Kyee” as “Gyee” and “Khine” as “Gaing”.
Ko Ohn Khine (M70) was named Ohn Gaing at St. Peter’s High School in Mandalay. He was called “Gaing Gyi” by some friends. He is the founder and moderator of the Google Group for the intake of 64 and 65. He volunteered for SPZP-2012, Shwe YaDu, SPZP-2016, SDYF, HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2016. He translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2 of the HMEE-2012 book. He and I compiled the CD supplement for the HMEE-2012 book.
Byte and R
Byte may mean stomach or belly.
R may mean “talkative”.
Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63) was called “Byte Tin Hlaing” and “R Tin Hlaing” by his friends to differentiate from the senior Saya U Tin Hlaing (M59, GBNF).
Ko Kyaw Zin (EP69) was called “R Zin” by some of his friends.
Ko Myint Soe (UCC) worked as Maintenance Technician in the Systems Division. He was called “Byte”.
Shwe Gaung Byaung
It is the name of a cartoon character. It literally means “Golden, Bald Head”. Toe Nyunt (Ted Mya Maung) starred in a movie of that name.
Ko Wynn Htain Oo (M72) is a super fund raiser is fondly known as “Shwe Gaung Byaung”. He is known as
WHO (not World Health Organization)
Shwe Gaung Byaung
Hmaw Sayagyi
Mg Mar Ga
Sa Yay
Sa Yay may mean a Clerk.
Sa Yay Gyi is a Senior Clerk.
Saya Lay is a Junior Clerk.
Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) was called “Sa Yay Lay” by his teacher Perrera (V Standard in St. Paul’s High School).
In primary school, my spouse was told by her teacher that her hand writing looked like that of a “Sa Yay”. It motivated her to become a medical doctor.
Hanuman
It is an Indian Diety.
Ko Han Tun Maung (GBNF) was a star athlete at SPHS. He excelled in Track and Field, and Soccer. He was fondly called “Hanuman”. He served as President of Old Paulians Association, Kokkine Swimming Club, Equestrian and Archery Associations. His family owned a Stable with “Sein Hlyan” as a Champion horse. The family opened Sein Hlyan Cafe. The Intake of 65 meets monthly as the Cafe.
Mote Seit
It may mean “Beard”.
Myo Hein (69er) is fondly called Mote Seit by his friends.
Reverend Frederich Ludwig (Buddhist Arch Bishop of Latvia and Lithuania) was fondly called “Moke Seit Phone Gyi”. He later shaved his beard and ordained as a Theravada monk with the title Ashin Ananda. He is a Laureate Poet.
Papu
According to Dr. Tint Lwin (Goalkeeper of the Rangoon University Soccer Team), Collegian Nay Win was fondly called Papu by his coach and team mates.
Po Htaung and Po Maung
Sons of Ko Khin Maung San (Tommy San, PBRS, GBNF)
Nyunt Win (classmate of Tommy’s wife Lily at Darjeeling) liked the nicknames and used them in a movie.
Gyi
Japan Gyi / Hla Tun (T69)
Kyaw Gyi / Ko Kyi Win (EP69)
Maw Gyi / Saya U Myat Htoo (C68)
EE69ers
Ko Thein Swe (EP69) described nicknames of the EE69ers in his post.
There are rules and restrictions for registering and using trade marks.
There have been law suits to settle trademark violations.
Apple
Apple Computers (in USA) was sued by Apple Music (in UK) for trademark violations.
The judge decided that the name “Apple” was being used in two different industries. Little did he know that several decades later iTunes (owned by Apple Computers) would be playing the Beatles music (owned by Apple Music).
Google
Google is an accidental misspelling of Googol.
Googol is one followed by 100 zeroes. It signifies a very large number.
iPhone
iPhone is a trade mark owned by Cisco.
Apple has an agreement with Cisco to use it for its smart phones.
iPad
iPad is a trade mark owned by Fujitsu.
Apple has an agreement with Fujitsu to use it for its product.
Name change of products (to avoid Trademark violation)
NPL (New Programming Language) was renamed by IBM as PL/1 (Programming Language One) due to protest by NPL (National Physical Laboratory)
When we were young, we were taught that a name should have a Christian name and a Surname.
Later, we were told that a name should have a First Name, a Last Name and an optional Middle Name or Initial.
Those rules do not apply to Burmese names.
Names with one word
Several well-known Burmese names have a single word. They include
Thant (3rd Secretary General of the United Nations)
Nu (1st Prime Minister of the Union of Burma)
Thein (Journalist)
Thaung (Journalist)
Mya (Politicians and Entrepreneurs)
The names are prefixed with
Maung
Ko
U
Thakin
Name of publication (e.g. Kyee Pwa Yay, Kyemon)
Place (e.g. Hinthada, Pway Bwe).
Names with two words
Most early Burmese names have two words. The names are chosen by parents and/or grand parents.
The names might comply with one of the common naming conventions. For example, a Sunday born will have “Ah” (Sunday group) as the first word and “Ka, Kha, Ga Nge, Ga Gyi, Nga” (Monday group) as the second word.
The pattern is DOW (Day of week) group followed by DOW + 1 (following Day of week) group.
Examples :
Aung Khin (for Sunday born)
Kyaw Zaw (for Monday born)
Soe Lwin (for Tuesday born)
Hla Myint (for Wednesday born)
Myint Thein (for Thursday born)
Than Naing (for Friday born)
Htay Aung (for Saturday born)
Naming Patterns
Another pattern is to have the same first and second words. Examples : Aung Aung, Khin Khin, Zaw Zaw, Hla Hla, Myint Myint, Than Than, Htay Htay
Some siblings will have a common first name. For example, Ba Thein, Ba Tu, Ba Phyu
Some siblings will have a common last name. For example, Myo Paing, Soe Paing, Win Paing, Kyaw Paing
Names with three words
Some Myanmar/Burmese names have three words. The names may or may not comply with a naming convention :
For example, a Sunday born will have “Ta, Hta, Da Dwe, Da Oke Chike, Na Nge” (Saturday group) as the first word, “Ah” (Sunday group) as the second word and “Ka, Kha, Ga Nge, Ga Gyi, Nga” (Monday group) as the third word.
The pattern is DOW – 1 Group as first word, DOW as second word, and DOW + 1 as third word.
Examples :
Tun Aung Gyaw (for Sunday born)
Aung Kyaw Zaw (for Monday born)
Kyaw San Win (for Tuesday born)
Names with four or more words
Thane Oke Kyaw Myint
Khin Maung Thet Cho Oo (Cartoon character)
Names of siblings
Some siblings have the first two words in common.
Examples : Khin Maung U, Khin Maung Than and Khin Maung Win are named after their father U Khin Maung.
Khin Maung Gyi and Khin Maung Lay (Mutu) are named after their father H.E. U Khin Maung Latt (AFPFL).
Nicknames
There are some who are better known by their nicknames. They include
Fascinating, full of wonder and memories, heart rendering, sublime Bagan finally, rightfully inscribed as World Heritage Site O … ancient Temple City where I left my heart
Every time one looks yonder touched by the whirling, swirling, vibrant Ayeyarwaddy (Lord of the rivers) Misty, dreamy panoramic view O … my dear Ayeyarwaddy
Finest culture Treasure of sculpture Architecture galore Countless shrines and pagodas of Pagan Will last for eternity as World Heritage Site to be revered, cherished and appreciated O … glorious Bagan
တကၠသိုလ္ မိုး၀ါ ၇-၇-၂၀၁၉ နံနက္ ၁၁:၃၀
Tekkatho Moe War (Saya U Moe Aung) July 7, 2019 11: 30 AM
HlaMin 