Is anyone else worried that younger Burmese kids don’t speak Burmese anymore?
I’ve noticed that a lot of Burmese kids, even kids living in Myanmar, don’t seem to want to learn Burmese anymore. Many of them go to international schools, and I understand that because I also grew up attending international schools since kindergarten. I know English is extremely important, especially for education and future opportunities abroad. I’m not saying this from a nationalist point of view.But I still feel like children should learn their mother tongue.
I’ve met kids in Myanmar who can barely speak Burmese, and it honestly makes me sad. It seems like some parents also don’t really bother teaching Burmese at home anymore. I understand that many families don’t see a future in Myanmar, and I understand why they prioritize English. But learning a language doesn’t really have disadvantages. Burmese is also a difficult language, so it’s much easier to learn it properly when you’re young.
Even if someone plans to study or live abroad, I still think being able to speak, read, and understand Burmese matters. I live abroad now, but I still read Burmese books and speak Burmese with my relatives. Burmese is a beautiful language, and I feel like we are slowly losing our connection to it.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that many younger Burmese kids don’t know much about Myanmar history either. Again, I understand that international schools focus on international curriculums, and I’m not saying every child has to study history in an extreme way. But I do think children should at least know the basics of their own country’s history, especially if they are growing up in Myanmar. History is important because it helps people understand society, politics, and why things are the way they are. If the younger generation grows up without knowing anything about Myanmar’s past, I worry that they won’t have the context to think critically about the present or the future.
I know many young people want to go abroad, and honestly, that is completely understandable. But even if we leave Myanmar, I don’t think that means we should completely disconnect from our language and history.
I’m not trying to shame anyone who struggles with Burmese or grew up speaking mostly English. I just feel like Burmese language and history are worth preserving, especially among Burmese people. It would be really sad if future generations became completely disconnected from them.