In the last hours, the devastating earthquake that occurred in Myanmar -o Burma- has amazed the world. The violence of the tremors caused, as well as the destruction and the high number of deaths that it has caused generated a generalized shock worldwide. And now that this territory has been news for this dramatic event, it is a good occasion to clarify a peculiar issue that affects this country, as is its name.
Burma or Myanmar. Myanmar or Burma. What is the correct name? How should it be said? Well, here we explain the origin of this doubt, why of this ‘double name’ and what is the most correct way to say it.
To know the baptism of this territory, which was English colony for much of the twentieth century, you have to go back until 1989, at which time the name Myanmar was coined for this area.
The country is located in Southeast Asia and during the period that was colonized by the British, it was called Burma, although later (became independent from the United Kingdom in 1948), there have been many citizens themselves – especially the opposition democrats and the western diplomats – those who have resisted call country.
Given this dilemma, international positions have been different in this regard, although in general it has been chosen to make a Solomonic decision. In the case of Spain, – concluded in what concerns diplomats – it is established that the name by which it should refer to this region is Myanmar.
However, there is another position, the one that maintains the Fundéu, Foundation of Urgent Spanish, who argues that the most correct, according to the SAR, is to call it as Burma and that its gentilicio is Burmese, not Myanmarense.
For its part, the European Union decided years ago that both terms could be used, both Burma (Burma in English) and Myanmar, in official documents. Despite this, the most prestigious and relevant international media maintain different positions, since some call it Myanmar and other Burma.
