Burmese: A Cultural Approach [Paperback]

A thorough and systematic introduction to the Burmese writing system.

Appropriate for use by students at varying levels of competence, Burmese: A Cultural Approach provides a thorough and systematic introduction to the Burmese writing system, along with a series of true-to-life conversations. The first part of the book offers an introduction to the Burmese sound system, while the second section focuses on conversation, including extensive annotations that illustrate grammatical patterns, characteristic turns of phrase, and typical habits of social interaction. Employing an anthropological approach to language learning, the book is intended to provide students with useful insights into how cultural understandings, not just grammar, shape what gets said in Burmese. The book is enhanced by audio files that can be accessed on a companion website that were recorded by native speakers for all the written symbols, dialogues, and exercises in the book.
 Ward Keeler is a cultural anthropologist specializing in Burma and Indonesia. He teaches at the University of Texas at Austin. Allen Lyan is a Burmese language instructor, as well as a music and English language teacher. He lives in Mandalay, Burma.