Burmese - Eng Dict

7/30/2019 Burmese - Eng Dict

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PL5933T23I ASIA ELEMENTARY HAND-BOOK ^ir,

OF THE

BURMESE LANGUAGEBY

TAW SEIN KO, M.R.A.S., f.a t., f.s.a.,GOVEENMENT TKANSLATOR AND HONOKAIl AHCHJJOLOQK'AI, OFFICEK, Bri:MA.

RANGOON:PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRINTING, HURMA.

1898. J^-rc^->

[ Price,Rs. 2-8-0. ]^1!?^


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PL 3 f 33r^3 hdf

CORNELLUNIVERSITYLIBRARY


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DATE DUE

AUG-iHb ig?O^H

^'*'iiMliimiXii'' * "IS Burmese lana

3 1924 022 058 931


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The original of this book is inthe Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions inthe United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924022058931


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ELEMENTARY HANDBOOKOF THE

BURMESE LANGUAGEBY

TAW SEIN KO, M.E.A.S., f.a.i., f.s.a.,GOVEENMENT TEANSLATOB AND HONOEAKY AECHaJOLOGlCAIi OFFICER, BUEMA.

RANGOON:printed by the superintendent, government printing, burma.

i8q8.


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PEEFACE.Ars longa, vita hrevis. This book is divided into two parts

the first deals with the colloquial form of the Burmese lan-guage, and the second with the literary form. Both are in-tended for hard-worked officials and busy men engaged inmercantile and other professions, to whom an elementaryknowledge of Burmese may be essential ; and it is for thisreason that an attempt is made to make the compilation aspractical as possible. There is, however, no royal road tolearning : a certain amount of drudgery must be faced andundergone if it is desired to acquire any kind ot knowledge ;and an acquaintance with the Burmese language does notform an exception to the universal rule.The compilation of this work is due to a suggestion made

by Mr. St. John, Burmese Lecturer, Oxford University, whorepresented to the Local Government the need of a practi-cal colloquial course in Burmese for the Indian Civil Servicecandidates undergoing their probationary training in Eng-land. The original scope has, however, been extended tomeet the gro-wing requirements of foreign residents in Burma.

In the preparation of this volume, my acknowledgmentsare due to Maung Tun Nyein, Extra Assistant Commissioner,who has often acted as Government Translator during myabsence on leave or deputation, for the valuable assistancegiven by him.Burma Secretariat: 7 TAW SEIN KO.

1st October 1898. )


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TABLE OP CONTENTS.Pages,

Introduction ... ... ... ... ,.. ... i viPart IColloquial ... ... ... ... ... 156

Key to the pronunciation ... ... ... ... 1Numerical Notation ... ... ... ... ... 4Time ... ... ... ... ... ... 5Days of the week ... ... ... ... ... 6Names of the months ... ... ... ... ... ibid.The Heavens ... ... ... ... ... 6Points of the Compass ... ... ... ... ... 7Earth ... ... ... ... ... ... 7Sea ... ... ... ... ... ... 9Seasons, weather, &e. ... ... .., ... ... 9^10Persons, relationships, &e. ... ... ... ... 1012Members of the body ... ... ... .., ... 1214Movements of the body ... ... ... ... 1416Ailments ... ... ... ... ... ... 1617Wearing apparel ... ... ... ... ... 1718Professions, Trades, &c. ... ... ... ... 1819Servants ... ... ... ... ... ... 19Animals ... ... ... ... ... ... 1920Beptiles ... ... ... ... ... ... 21Fishes ... ... ... ... ... ... ibid.Birds ... ... ... ... ... ... 2122Insects ... ... ... ... ... ... 2223Articles of Commerce ... ... ... ... ... 2324Metals ... ... ... ... ... ... 2425Food ... ... ... ... ... ... 2526Fruits ... ... ... ... ... ... 2627Vegetables ... ... ... ... ... ... 27Drink . ... - ... . ... 2728Furniture ... ... ... ... ... ... 2829Nationalities ... ... ... ... ... 29Colours ,., ... ... ... ... ... 30Money ... ... ... . ... ... 8031Precious stones ... ... ... ... ... 31Weights and measures ... ... ... ... ... 3132Army and Navy ... ... ... ... ... 32Weapons ... ... ... ... . ... 33Eoad ... ... ... ... ... ... 3334Games, amusements, &o. ... ... ... ... 3435Words and phrases in constant use ,,. ... ... 3536


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( ii )

Pages.Miscellaneous questions and answers ... ... . 3738Weather ... ... ... ... ... ... 38Time of day... ... ... ... ... ... 3940Salutations, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 4042Dining-room ... ... ... ... ... 4243Bed-room ... ... ... ... ... ... 4344Boat ... ... ... ... ... ... 4446Office ... ... ... ... ... ... 4649Health and sickness ... ... ... ... ... 4950Miscellaneous phrases ... ... ... ... ... 5056

Part 11Literary ... ... ... ... ... 57121Chapter I. The Alphabet ... ... ... ... 5760Chapter II. Homonyms ... ... ... ... 6062Chapter III. The Noun ... ... ... ... 6267Chapter IV. The Pronoun ... ... ... ... 6871Chapter V. The Adjective ... ... ... ... 7174Chapter VI. The Verb ... ... ... ... 7478Chapter VII. The Adverb ... ... ... ... 7879Chapter VIII. The Preposition ... ... ... ... 7980Chapter IX. The Conjunction ... ... ... ... 80Chapter X. The Interjection ... ... ... ... ibid.Chapter XI. Syntax ... ... ... ... 81

Appendices :I. Extracts from J4takas ... ... ... ... 8395

II. Petitions ... ... ... ... ... 97107III. Extracts from the " Selections from the Records of the Hhitdaw" 109121


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INTRODUCTION.It is generally admitted that the Burmese language is difficult

to study, and when there are few suitahle text-books and very fewcompetent teachers, the difficulty to be encountered and overcomeappears to be considerably enhanced. The method of teachingBurmese has yet to be systematised, and Burmese literature l^asyet to be worked up with that critical spirit which has been suc-cessfully applied to some of the classical and vernacular languagesof India. But before this consummation is brought about, onemust try his best to study Burmese according to his own lights.

The Burmese language can be made interesting by studying itfrom a philological stand-point. Philology means, of course, thescience which traces the origin and development of a language,and indicates its relationship to others. Burmese is a Turanianlanguage as contradistinguished from an Aryan language, andbelongs to that family of languages which has been described asThibeto-Burman. A language, like an organism, grows, and dur-ing its long career of development many accretions cling to it.Some of these accretions are thoroughly assimilated and becomepart and parcel of the organic growth, while others still retaintheir nature of foreign excrescences. The following exampleswill illustrate this remark. The expression gjal^s is made up oftwo words, gj = (Chinese lu) to give, and alh = (PMi or Sanskrit3]^) giving or a gift. The expression means to give as a charitableoffering or to exercise charity.

Now the word al^s will ever re-main a foreign excrescence and refuse to get assimilated. Thentake the common word 8|gQii This occurs as 8a5o in an old lithicinscription of the twelfth century A.P, It is made up of two


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( ii )

words 8$? = 8cS (Shan g) a wife, + q = (Thibetaa o) a mother.Thus, woman in Burmese is conceived first in her capacity as wifeand then in her capacity as mother. Both the constituent partscomposing the word 8$so are Turanian in their naturfe and theyget thoroughly assimilated. It may be said that these are tauto-logical, as each of the component parts generally expresses theone and the same idea. But in a state of society composed ofdifPerent tribes, such a stratification of language was inevitable.Each section or tribe must have its peculiar dialect, and theirliving together must have the same tendency as the formation ofwell defined strata in geology. Other instances, namely, a^cooaS(a Tavoy localism) to bring, ^=S to look, godSo to assist, oo@g3fate, 33Gogcj>ig,D(yoco^D a question, all tend to cori'oborate the aboveview.

Allusion has been made above to the existence of San skrit andPali derivatives in the Burmose language. It is a moot qu estionwhether priority should be accorded to one or the other. Thereis, however, reason to infer from the evidence available that San-skrit derivatives were introduced into the Burmese language longbefore Pali was known in Burma. This evidence also shows thatthe form of Buddhism first introduced into this country was thatof the Northern School, which was subsequently absorbed andassimilated by the Southern School.

Like the Chinese, Thibetan, and other languages, Burmese is amonosyllabic language, i.e., to say, every word in it is a root, andevery root is a word, each word consisting of a single syllable ormonosyllable to which a particle, and not an independent wordmay be prefixed as in oools a door ; oo^^s power or glory ; soodfood. A sentence is but an allocation of words whose grammati-cal relationship is determined by their respective positions.


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( iii )

The grammatical apparatus being thus deficient, the vocabularyof the Burmese language may be divided into three groups. Thefirst group would include nouns and pronouns ; the second, verbs ;and the remaining parts of speech, including particles, would beplaced in the third group. The words in the first two groups arelike brick or stone, and those in the third are like mortar whichcements the building materials together. It is apparent thatmost of the words in the third group were independent words atone time, and that they have been ground down to their presentform through years of attrition. An instance may be cited,namely, that of goo5, a Burmese honorific affix. This should betranscribed as tS. Owing to Bengali influence, the vowel a waschanged to o, and thus this td was originally ta. In Chinese tameans great, and the affix may be taken to mean that any actiondone by a great.personage is necessaxily a great action,

In studying Burmese, one of the best ways is to adopt the ana-lytical method. Each expression should be analysed into its com-ponent parts; the relationship between these words, whether thatof allocation or agglutination, should be determined, and the ori-gin o each word should be traced as far back as possible ; and itsphonetic changes and gradual development should also be noted.If this method is followed, we can make some of the words tell usi,'tteresting tales. Max Miiller has proved conclusively that theEnglish word daughter assumes in Sanskrit the form duliitCi, amilkmaid. When this word came into use, the people who usedit must have been in a pastoral condition. They had large herdsof cows or goats, which it was the duty of the daughter of eachfamily to milk every morning. Similarly the derivation of theword " Mranmd," the national appellation of the Burmese race,can be made to tell an interesting tale, Burma is known to the


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( iv )people of Bengal as Brahmodesh, which is th^" Bengali form ofthe Pali designation " Brahmadesa " or the region or country ofBrahma, the Creator of the Hindu Triad. Now 6 and m areinterchangeable in the Indo-Chinese languages, and Brahm&,became Mrahma ; and the letter h being, by assimilation, changedinto m the word Mrahma assumed the form Mramma. Now, rand y are interchangeable, so we get the form Myammi. In thesystem of Chinese transliteration each word is cut up into mono-syllables to suit the genius of the language ; so we get the formMien (= Myam) or myan + ma. In Burmese poetry Burma isalways spoken of as (g|c^Ss = the couatry of the Myan, thenational appellation by which the Burmese are known to theirneighbours, the Chinese ; and in Burmese prose we get the fo rmg^oD = Mran-ma, while in works written in Pali the form @gC3CO = Mramma-desa invariably occurs. The derivation of theword g?oj is intimately connected with that of the word JProrne.This word should be spelt Prohm, because it is another form ofthe Talaing name Brohn. Again, Brohm is another form ofBrahm {a and o being interchangeable). Therefore, Frome meansthe city of Brahma. The Burmese call it Pyi = g^ = pran =brail = Brahm. Both the Talaing and Burmese forms of theword are traceable to the same source ; and Burmese history tellsVIS that at Prome a tribe called the Mranmds arose and attainedpolitical eminence. Prom the derivation of the above two wordswe may infer that Burma is the meeting-point of two civilizations,namely, that of India and of China ; that the Mongoloid tribeswhich were eventually amalgamated into a political society, Averefirst brought under the influence of Hindu colonists who wor-shipped Brahma ; and that the centre of Brahmanical influence inBurma was Prome.


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( V )In stiidyinn,' a language, tlie system of translating it into an-

other is a very good practice. It makes ns think in two languages,and as the results obtained have had to he achieved by much la-bour and racking of brains, words, phrases, idioms, and the nice-ties of language are retained in otir memory. The great thing,however, to be borne in mind in translation is that one should tryand place himself as much as possible in the same position as thewriter of the original. In this way, the spirit and energy ofexpression of the original would be retained in the translation.Most students do not, however, try to do so, and generally en-deavour to make the required rendering as literally as possible;and the result is that the translation is not only tame, but hardlyconveys the thoughts and ideas of the writer in an intelligibleand felicitous manner.At the present time, there are two kinds of Burmese. One may

be called Lower-Burma Burmese, and the other Upper-Burma Bur-mese. The Burmese of Lower Burma, in some places, would besomething like the Prenoh patois in Jersey and the ChannelIslands : it is corrupt, and is almost a jargon. The pure Bur-mese, however, is still preserved in Upper Burma in the largertowns. The chief characteristics of Upper-Burmese style are itsconciseness, the absence of dispensable particles and affixes, andits comprehensive expressiveness, grace, energy, and elegance.The Lower-Burmese style is very diffuse : it abounds in uselessparticles, and differs from the other style in its laboured simplicityand want of brevity. Any one with a tolerably good knowledgeof Burmese can readily distinguish the marked difference be-tween the two styles.

The popular impression amongst foreigners is that the Burmeselanguage is devoid of literature. This is not true. It has an ex-


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( vi )icnsivc literature, and its poetry is exceedingly beautiful, andmay be compared favourably with that of other nations. Thecheerfulness of the people, their healthy and peaceful enjoymentof life, their loyalty to sovereign authority, their devotion to theirreligion and institutions, and the beautiful influence which Bud-dlii,sm has exercised over their mind and character, are faithfullypourtrayed in their literature, and especially in their poetry. Andit is to be hoped that more prominence may' be given to Burmeseliterature in the curriculum of studies iii the province.

To become a Burmese scholar, a knowledge of Pali is essential,for the connection between the literatures of these two languagesis an intimate one. Burmese literature is to a large extent basedon Pali literature, and, without an acquaintance with Pali, Bur-mese studies would not be of much interest. In fact, to studyBurmese classics without a knowledge of Pali, wou.ld be likeattempting to read and appreciate Milton without knowing muchabout the Bible and the mythology of Greece and Pome.


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PART I.-COLLOQUIAL.KEY TO THE PRONUNCIATION.


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( 2 )Consonants.

oo k Tinaspirated.> 'k aspirated.o -)^ J g tard.c ng as in Za??^, English.o s unaspirated as in spirit.so 's aspirated as in saw, sea.

) z as m zenith.go n as in semr, Corunha.

00

003

OD

[ t unaspirated.

[ 't aspirated.

'd as in dawn.

( n as in napkin.o p unaspirated.o 'p aspirated.

> b as m SmZ^.o m as in mamma.oa y as in yes.Gi r as in rural.

^1 as m lovely.o w as in weather.OD th as in thaw.oo ^/i as in thee.CO h as in heaven.


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( 3 )Note.There are no English equivalents for certain combinations in Burmese, They

mayj however, be transliterated as follows :rmesG.


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( 4 )NUMERICAL NOTATION.


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( s )Time.

English.


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( 7 )The Heavensconcluded.

English.


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( 8 )Earth concluded

English.


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( 9 )Sea.

English.


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( 11 )Persons, Relationships,


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( 12 )Persons, Eelationships, &c

English. Burmese.

Bridegroom


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( 13 )Members op the Bodycontinued.

English.


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( 14 )Members op the Bodt -concluded.

English.


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( 15 )Movements of the Bodycontinued.

English. Burmese.Swim ... GqojsoD^Moat ... o^cSgoIod^To shoulder ... ooso3^To carry in the arms ^o5oo^ or c^oOd^To carry on the head gioSco^To carry on the back ioo^ or ocj^g^soo^Ride ... soo^Drive ... godSsoo^To strike with the ogoSoo^

elbows sideways.To strike with the goodSsco^

elbows downwards.To strike (with the o^soo^

fist).

Transliteration.

... Ye-ku:^M

... Ko-'paw-^M

... 'Tan:^M

... Paik-thi or pwe-#M

... Ywet-thi

... Po:^M or g6n:po:^M... Si:^M... Maung:^M... Twet-thi

.. 'Taung:fM

... 'To:^Slap


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( 16 )Movements of the Bodyconcluded.

English.


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( 17 )Ailmentsconcluded.

English.


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( 18 )Weaking Apparelconcluded.

Eii


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( 19 )Professions, Trades, &c.-


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( 21 )


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( 22 )Birdsconcluded.

English.


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( 23 )


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( 24 )Articles ov Commerceconcluded.

English.


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( 26 )Foodconcluded.

English.


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( 27 )Fetjitconcluded

Jinghsh.


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( 28 )Drinkconcluded.

English.


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( 30 )


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( 31 )Monetconcluded.

English.


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( 32 )Weights and Mbasdiiesconcluded.

English. Burmese.


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English.

LotteryDiceDominoesCardsPlay at cardsSquaresChessCheckmateCapture a piece ..Pootball (Burmese)Play footballCyclingHuntingShootingPicnic

YesNoVery wellThisThatCome hereGo thereGo awayCome alongBe quickTake careTake away

( 35 )Games, Amusements, &c

Burmese.... 08... 33^03... O^SCÔO

concluded.Transliteration.

'Ti... An-za... Th6n:b6n-bfe:... T6:... 'Pfe:yaik-thi... Kya:... Sit-da-yin... 'Kwe-thi... Sa:thi... Chin:16n:... Chin:16n:'kat-thi... Set-bein:zi:... A-m5:laik... Thin-nat-pyit... Byaw-bwfe:za:

Words and Phrases in constant use.... ocjoSra or oôSoooS* ... Kok-ke or hok-te

CO

CtJ|DS

ooScSsSs33^Cô5Gooo5oS

GOD3Ss(^03Gp;iCX>^ *îi


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( 36 )Words and Pheases in constant tseconcluded.

English. Burmese.


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( 37 )Miscellaneous Questions and Answers.

English. Burruese. Transliteration.Can (you) speak @?od ooods ooo5 cxdcq^s Mya-ma-sa-gaitat-t ha-Burmese ? or cxjodc^ cgDODcScx) la: or Ba-ma-lo-pyaw:

coDsii dat-tha-la:Yes, a little ... ^'ôocSooc^ ... N5:nfe:tat-teWhat did he say ?... ajooDGgDcoco ... Thu-ha-pyaw:;(â-lfe:(He) said (he) would cgDsac^db ... Thwa:me-de

go.Do you understand ? ^dsooôdcods ... Na:lfe-tha-la:(I) do, partly ... coôoooS^dsodôocS Ta-cho-ta-wet-na:-l^-d6Did you not hear?... og^sOi^scoDg ... Ma-kya:hu:la:No, sir, (I) did not ogDsoô5oloSc}|Di ... Ma-kya:laik-pa-'kin-

bya:What can (I) do for ooc^ôog|ôcx) ... Bfe-p6n-ma-za-y a - m a-

(you) ? Ife:(I) wish to serve the Gs^sqM^^GooSooSsgS A-so:ya-a-hmu-daw-Government. olcx)o6ii 'tan:gyin-ba-d5

To whom does (this) cooSo^^Soocb .... Bfe-thu-paing-f/â-lfe:belong ?

Where are you go- oocôgDsoc^cx) ... B^-thwa:ma-lo-lfe:ing?

(I) am going home gSSc^c^dsgoooocS ... Ein-go-thwaidaw-menow.How many times ooc^j>8)lG(y3G|ocb ... Be-hna-'ka-pyaw:ya-mamust (I)tell (you)? \h:

Don't be angry, sir, 8cSos^gol^ô6


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( 38 )Miscellaneous Questions and Answersconcluded.

English.

They all say soHow deep is it ? ...Eour fathomsWhose pony is this ?My pony, sir

(It) is very warm..,(It) is very close ..(It) is very windy...(It) is very rainy ..(It) is cloudy(It) is raining hea-

vily.(It) is drizzling

Burmese.

aj{c^33:)8oqs3C^G(yD[ÔDDCXJII

C30GOODo5^ dScOCOGCOgCQôSoDcS

c^^gcodQSsoIoScjIds ,,

Weather.coc6gcx)c8o5odo5cooSgcocô5cooScooS^sg^DODc6

i^SCO^gG^COoS

Transliteration.

Tliu-do-a:16n:-da-lo-pyaw:gya-da-b^:

Ba-lauk-net-tha-le:Le:lan-net-teDa-ba-lu-myin:le:Kyun-daw-m y i n : b a -

'kin-bya:

Te-aik-teTe-le-teik-teTe-ie-taik-teTe-mo:ywa-deMo:-6n-deMo:the:ue-de

oooSii(It) has stopped rain- ^sc8o5g or ^sbg

(It) is coldA cold breeze isblowing.

(It) is beginning torain.The rains have com-

menced.The rainy weather is

over.(It) is hot today ...(It) thunders(It) hails(It) is foggy(It) was fair yester-

day.

^s Gg3o5 GôrS 2.0Q^ Mo:'pyauk-'pyauk-ywa-ne-dh

Mo:teik-pi o)' mo: si:bi

Chan:deLe-e:taik-ne-de

qSsoooSGODg33SCô5g^00cS

OG^C|JO0cS

^goSs;(c200oSj>SgGOO0c5Q G ÔDG ^CODCOt5

Îo:ywa-za-pyu-biMo:kya-biMo:u-du-k6n-biGa-ne-pu-dfeMo:ch6n:d5Mo:tl)i:kyv,e-deIIuin:we-deMa-ne-ga-ne-tha-de


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( 39 )

English.

The day is breakingJust at sunriseEarly in the morningWhat time was it ?What o'clock is it ?It is eight o'clock ...It is half-past six ...It is earlyIt is late (forenoon)It is late (afternoon)It is late (night) ...It is noonIt is about midnightIt is past midnightCome in the fore-

noon.Is it in the forenoon ?It was only in the

afternoon.

Time oe Day.Bui'mese.

^scoSsogg

O0oS33^$CXIcbcoo5j>S^D^ôra

G@0o5^D^^@GODOOCSG^gSgG^?.^g

cx)5sg315gcodo5^ ,,,oo^SGolScoqjSg

g^gc^g 8cooS or ^G$GODSsyjgScooS or $sc8gg^Socio5ii

It has struck nine... c^sô^c^sgIt is nearly four ... Gco8->:D^c^soq(It is already dark,,, g^dSQIt will take half a côooo^gDcSSooS ..day.(I) will stay here the ooc^ôqsS^DGô^whole day.

He will be back at o?.o5coqS?o3s^ô;j@$breakfast time. G^poScSSocSn

He is coming in time qod^g33d8 oijcoocSSfor dinner. ocoii

He was up at dawn aa^coS odoSoo oj cxjg^cooSii

Transliteration.

Mo:lin:za-pyu-biNe-'twet-sa-gaMa-net-saw:zaw:Bfe-a-chein-ga-lfe:Be-hna-na-yi-shi-ba-le:Shit-na-yi-shi-biChauk-na-yi-gwfe:shi-biSaw:-d&Ne-myin-bi'Ne-nh-.hi;în-net-piMun:te-biTha-gaung-lauk-shi-biTha-gaung-kyaw-biMun:ma-te-gin-la

Mun:-ma-te-gin-la:Mun:lw5:hma-'pyit-te

or na-ne-saung:hma-'pyit-t5 or mun:tein:hma-'pyit-te

Ko:na-yi-'to:biLe:na-yi-'to:lu-biHmaung-biNe-ta-wet-kya-lein-meTa-ne- 16n:di-ma-ne-m&Ma-net-'ta-min: sa:

gyei n-thu-pyan-yauk-lein-m5

]â-za-hmi-aun g - 1 h u-la-lein-m5A-yon-det-ka-t h ti - 'ta-ne-d5


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( 40 )Time of Dayconcluded.

English. Burmese. Transliteration.

He came before dawn 33âS ococSaSzqoDD A-yon-ma-tet-'kin-tM-oocSii Irt-deWill he come again sj^g^cxjcod^socods ... Gu-iia-ne-th u - 1 a - 6 n :

this evening ? ma-la:Did he say he was ;gG.?,a;[coDo6bco3s ... Gu-fia-ne-thu -la -macoming this even- de-la:

ing ?He said he was com- gôS^^ oodocSc^ ajj Ne-win-gyein-la-mfe-lo-

ing at sunset. cgDcocîi thu-pyaw: deAge.

What is (your) age ? 33odoSodoS GcoDo5ôdb A-tliet-ba-lauk-shi-ba-le:

When were you oooSo^sooGgsoora ... Be-don: ga-mwe: tha-born ? Ih:

(I) shall be twenty G^g)$co oq)S|S33ooo5 She - zun-la-kya-yin-a-next June. j>5coo5gôoSii thet-hna-'se-pye-mfe

He is now but in the cxjsjgoag^cSGooDSso^s ... Thu - gu -ma- a-ywe-prime of life. kaung: d6n:How old is (your) ooDsoocSGcaDoSgsoc^ Tha:ba-lauk-kyi: ba-le:son ? ,

(He) is only ten ... ooc6|iScoDgcxiD ^gods 'Se-linit-tha:iM-shi-the:cooSii dh

He appears young oj^co^cxxtS cc(^ g[ Thii-//ii-det-n g fe-b 6 n-for his age. cooSii ya-dfe

He has a very youth- cxjcooSa^gôScoSoooS... Thu-te-a-ywe-tin-deful appearance.

Is your father very oSscracoos^cgooDDs ... Min-a-'pe-o-hla-ba-la:a2;ed ?

(He ) is about seventy q^SaooSicoDnS^g ... 'Kun-hna-s5-lauk-s h i-bi

The old man is still aac^slc^sooDcqi^soî^soD A-'po:gyi:ha-kyan:gyan:very hale and odcSo^gcosoocîi ma-ma-b5:shi-i/ie:dfestrong.

Salutations, &o.Are you well? od&^co^s ... Ma-ye-la:Are you quite well sjgoodSs goodSs odo G u-ka ung:gaung:m4-now ? 02^211 ba-la:


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( 41 )Salutation, &o.continued.

English. Burmese.How is your family ? oDD8aooDsaD[co3s(They) are all well 333soqsoD@ol|^Has your younger oSg^cqjDrôcooi

brother recovered ?(He) is improving... cnSoDDo1gWhat ailment is it ? oooScepolcS(He) had fever after cSicîjiasoooS

a fall.(He) is suffe ring pGoicpSsd^s @8g$from cold and cooSncough.

It is a long time since oGcgqoobgDcggI have seen (you).

I saw (him) in good oDODgjDqDocgboocî ..health.

Sit down ... o^SolMy compliments to aSsScoi^Dgc^ ^cBso::^your parents. cô5o| ii

Have you breakfast- oô5odods8oco3sed?

Not yet ... ooDsqGcxDgoqs(You) have arrived ôdcds^^j-SosgooSc^

just in time for GGpoSoDDcocSndinner.

What will (you) cododsocotake ?

Transliteration.Tha:ma-ya:ma-ye-la:A:16n:ma-gya-ba-yeMin-ni-pyauk-pa-la:Thet-tha-ba-biB6-yaw:ga-lfe:L5:lo-'pya:dfe

Hna-zi:chaung:zo:'pyit-ne-d^

Ma-twe-ya-da-kya-hla-bi

Ma-ma-cha-gyk-t w e-ge-de

'Taing-baM i n - m i - b a-mya:go-hn6k-'set-laik-pa

Ma-net- sa-sa:pi:ba-la:Ma-sa:ya-ifê:bu:]!? a - z a-s a: gyein-ne-a-taw-b^: yauk-la-d^"

Ba-sa:ma-15:

'Se:leik-thauk-paave a cigar .... gso%S8goooc56\Will you take tea ? coo5ooo5q^GcoDo5oo3D! La-'pet-ye-thauk-ma-la:Have some more oogDsoôl^gooDS ... Tha-gya:yu-ba-6n:la:

sugar.I don't like my tea oooSoooS g^^^ ^4 "^ I'a-'pet-ye-cho-gyo-ma-

sweet. =q kyaik-'pu:This tea is very SodcS ooo5 g^^ cocS cq Di-la-'pet-ye-te-kya-de

strong. cooSIt is late (forenoon), G^gScgguogDjcia^socS Ne-myin-hla-bi-tliwa:

I must take leave ya-6n:meof you.

6


58/142

( 42 )Salutation, &c.concluded.

English. Burmese.

Go (as a polite reply ogDSola^sGoooto foregoing).Please send for a car- Gfo:> oagoI^S sc^o5o 8

riage. oln(I) wish daily for qjSscxo oIgoc^g^c^Si

(your) prosperity. go^d^oIoocSii

(I) shall come again G^DoSooolcoDsfjsQcS ..DiNING-BOOM.

Transliteration.

Thwa:ba-6n:dawY a - 't a: a -'iaw-kaing:

laik-san:baChan: tha-ba-ze-lo-ne-

daing: myit-ta-po-ba-de

Nauk-ta-'ka-la-6n:me

Set the table


59/142

English,

( 43 )Dining-eoomconcluded

Burmese. Transliteration,Pour (me) a cup of cooSoooSq^cogoSoo^ La-'pet-ye-ta-'kwet-'t

tea côSoSsii laik-san:Bring me a boiled egg goSggoSooo^soqb ... Kyet-u-by6k-ta-16n:yu-Take this egg away SgoSgojogDs ... Di-kyet-u-yu-thwa:Where is the salt- ooosgoSoooSara ... 'Sa:gwet-b5-ma-16:

cellar ?Change this plate ... 8o8co?(g3scScô5 ... Di-pa-gan-bya:le:laikBring another plate olgoa^gDsooqSooSoflb Pa-gan-bya: t a - c h a t -

'tat-yu-geBring a fork and oG[S).ooD8o;;[b

knife'Ka-yin:ne-da:yu-ge

This cup is not clean So?8od|o^;cx3dooSo38,.. Di-pa-gan-16n:ha-ma-sin-bu:

Wash it properly ... gcodSsgcodSsgooscôS Kaung:gaung:'se:laikThis table-cloth is SoosôSsgoSg ... Di-sa-bw&:gin:nit-pi

soiledTake out that bottle c^câsSsojoScQoSBring (me) a cigar G3osc8Sooc8Sa;|bWhere is the match- ^8q]ScxioSocx)

box ?Strike a match , .. SsqSoôSoSs

Bed-ROOM.

Ho-pa-lin:'t6k-laik'Se:leik-ta-leik-yu-geMl:gyit-b5-ma-15:

Mi:chit-laik-san:

Where is the blanket? godSodcSscSThis bedroom is not S^Ss^soojioScgojs

very roomyTake off (my shoes) c84,5gjo5cô5o'SsPut the footstool G@cx35qcoo5cô5

asideHang up tjiis coat... Ssaf^c^^coDscôS

Saung-be-ma-16:Di-eik-' kan:ma-kyfe-hla

bu:'Pa-nat-chut-laik-san:Chi-din-gon-go-'pfe-laik

Di-in:gyi-go- 'sw^:'ta:laik

Put it in the drawer tsagdb^Dog5scoDsco5 An-zwe: d5:ma-thwin:'ta:laik

Take out a clean ^joSj-DoqcSoolsaccScxjcS Myet-hna-thok-pa-wa-towel a-thit-'tok


60/142

( U )Bed-roomconeluded.

English.

Hang it out to dryOpen the doorShut the doorLeave (it) a jar ...Open the window ...Keep the Venetians

shutLight the candle . .Light the lamps ...Trim the wickTurn up the light...Turn the light down

a little.Where is the chim-ney ?

The chimney issmoking

Extinguish the light

Put down the mos-quito curtain

(I) am going to bedWake (me) early to-

morrow.Where do (you)sleep?Are you a light

sleeper ?Do you snore ?Let (him) come in...

Let us go by boat...Get the oar-boat

ready

Burmese.aô5cg5scQr>5coolgcgSoôSc6o1s8oScô5ODooosoôS(yooSgcoloScgSCD^5oo58o5oODS

Transliteration.

'T6k-hlan:laikTa-ga:'pwin-laikTa-ga:peik-laikHa-'ta:laikPa-din:bauk-'pwinTa-yok-kat-peik-'ta:

ooGooD6sc^6cg$8oô5... 'Pa-yaung:daing-'tun:laik

GQo5scx)o5oro

Mi:ein-mya:go-'tun:laikMi:za-hnyat-laikMi:hmyin-laikMi:ne:n6:hmein-laik

Pvaun;:be-ma-le:

:;(yDSsoo8g^gcgo5G|,cooS PYaung:ga-mi:go:'twetue-de

s58co5 or SsgoScôS Mi: nein: laik or mi:hmok-laik

gScooDSqcôS ... Chin-daung-cha-laikaSScpoScoooQcS ... Eik-ya-win-daw-me4>o5cs^cilGO3G0D003|sra. Net-'pan-gH" saw:zaw:la

hno:hlecx3oSyD335oDcb ... Pe-ma-eik-tha-lfe:oSso85coo5c^coDg ... Min:eik-'sat-ke-la:

eSsGcoDoScocScocoDS ..oScODoGCOGO

Boat.Gcg^.CgD|(^soSccyc^gScôS

Min:hauk-tat-tha-la:Win-la-ba-le-zi

H]e-ue-thAva:gya-zo'Kat-]ile-go-pyin-laik


61/142

English. .

Where is the paddle-boat ?Have (you) broughtthe oars ?

Can (you) sail theboat?

Bring the steeringpaddle

Have you brought arudder ?

Let us startGet on the bow ...Put it on the sternGo up the river . .Go down the river...Cross to the otherbankStop at this landingRow hardPaddle fastEnter this creek ...There is a sandbank

aheadIs the tide runningup or down ?

Get alongside thebankIs this boat steady ?(It) is leakyWhat wood is this

boat made of ?Can you go out to

sea?Will it not sink? ...Can you sv\rira ? ...

( 45 )BoatcontinuedBurmese.

GC^SgoJCO oSgDtX)

OcSoOo5(^ DSOÔjjSloCODS

Gojc^ ô5cô5ooc8cocoDS

oooo5a^5>

O3o5olc300DDS

ogoSggSsGoTcôooSOGoTyOODDSCôS

g^g^GogSSg^dSscôSGg^^DGOODSgSoOSJÔOoS

GQODo5 GÔOCOOSII CqjGÔDCOD8II

GG^C^CXlcSSccgcoscoDScx)

GC[og5o:||?CX)D8GC|jsooo5o:coDS

Transliteration.

Hlaw-hle-b5-ma-lo:

'Kat-tet-mya:go-yu-geba-la:

Hle-go -ywet-taik-tat-tha-la:

Pe-det-yu-ge

Tet- mSb-fa-tha-lk:

'Twet-kya-zoC:baw-go-tetPe-baw-ma-'ta:laikMyit-ko-'san-thwa:Myit-ko-s6n-laikHo-bet-kan:go-ku:

Di-'seik-ma-'saikKyat-kyat-'katMyan-myan-hlawDi-chaung :go-winSbe-ma-thaung- b y i n -

ta-'ku-shi-dSDi-ye-te fc-ne-^fe-la:kya-

ne-Âa-la: -Kan:na:katDi-hle-nein-ye-MYe-yo-d6Di-hle-ba-tha:le:

Pin-lfe-go-'twet-hnaingtha-la:

Ye-ma-my6k-'pu:la:Ye-ku:dat-tha-la:


62/142

( 46 )BOATconcluded

English. Burmese. Transliteration,

Unfurl tlie sail ... |o5g|cô5 ... Ywet-'pyan-laikSail along midstream g:;ioooScô2Scô5 ... Te-le-go-'pwin-taikHave yoti brought ccgDoSajsols^ccDs ... Kyauk-'su:pa-ye-la:

an anchor ?I have brought two, j^SraoSololaoSaScjjDs... Hna-let-pa-ba-de-'kin-

sir bya:Is that rope strong c^(^scod^Sooo3ds ... Ho-kyo: ha-'kaing-ba-enough ? ma-la:

When shall we get i3c^ oooSgcoo GcpoSoo Ywa-go-b^-daw-yaukto the village ? con pa-ma-lfe:

Ophce.Bring a lead pencil S)c6ajS> ... 'Kfe:dan-yii-geSharpen this quill... go5GoDD5g|^cô5 ... Di-hnget-taung-chun-

laikWhere is my pen- c1odgcod5c6ooc5qco ... Nga-ka-laung-dan- b fe-

holder ? ma-le:Bring a pen also ... oDGODDSoo^sc^b ... Ka-laung-lfe:yu-geThis pen is too blunt, oDGoo36o^scg?gcooSg)$ Di-ka-laung-t6n:lun:dechange it for a sharp gi$oDsj33oDsa^&ii Chun-gyun-ta-'ku-asa:pointed one yu-geSharpen the desk- ^soo^sooGcosGogscôS Y6n:da:ga-le:thwe:laik

kniferill these ink bottles 8o qooSs


63/142

English.

Who has taken (it)away ?Go and search for (it)

Put (it) near thatbook

Take it away now..jPut it down on the

floorCopy this letter ...Give him a copy ofthe letterDid he apply for it ?"Where is the appli-

cation ?Draft a replyileject this applica-

tionWho is the appli-cant?

Did he ever applybefore ?

Would he be suit-able?

Does he know thework ?Where did he serve

previously ?Why did he leave ?What pay did (he)

get?Post this letter

Put a stamp on it...Go and buy two re-

ceipt stamps

( 4.7 )

Ofpicbcontinued.Burmese.

ododoSdoogodSocJoO^gos

ajGcgDoSc OOOS S0DC03 s

QcgpcSi^DcocSocx)

fÔD33(^5sGG1^80ô5 ...GC^Do5c5DOÔCÔô5

Gc^Do5a;jooojci)

CODSO^GOoScJOOODS

CODS33oocSco oooSyaJogooSs

ooD(^Scôgo5ooraO0OO0GOD0o5|O0d&

oocôoôô5cbgD ôosBSgoISsooScôS ...GQoDooaSScol&SjtScjcgos

OC^GÎI

Transliteration.

Ba-lu-yu-thwa:Âa-lfe:

Thwa:sha-gyiHo-sa-6k-na:hma-'ta:

laikYu-thwa:dawKyan:baw-hma-cha-'ta:

laikDi-sa-go-kii:laikSa-let-'kan-ta- z a u n g-thu-go-pe:laikThu-shauk-taung: tha-

la:Shauk-hlwa-bfe-ma'l^:

Pyan-za-a-kyan:ye:laikDi-shauk-hlwa-go - pfelaik

Shauk-thu-ba-lu-le:

Thu-a-yin-ga- s h a u k -'pu:Âa-la:

Thu-taw-ba-ma-la:

Di-a-16k-ko-thu- n a : 1^7?a-la:

A-'tet-ka-be-m&-a-hmu-'tan:Âa-lfe:

Ba-'pyit-lo-'twet-tha-15:La-ga-ba-lauk-y a - # A a

le:Dl-sa-go- sa-bo-daik-'t6-

hma-'te-laikTa-zeik-gaung:kat-laikPye-za-ta-zeik-gaung:hna-'ku-thwa:w6-gyi


64/142

( ^8 )OppicbcontinuedBurmese. TraDsliteration.

^SJ5dsoo?odc6q85gs)16s Hna-pya:dan-s;i-b o - taGgooSsjoo^sooSîi zeik-gaung:cliauk-'kulc:\vc-ge

Gq]ooDKgDgGGpc6coDocx3D Chaw :za-mya:yauk-la-ba-la:

oDcô5c^:^Ds ... Sa-bo-daik-ko-thwa:(^DBG^Goô ... Kya-ma-ne-zi-negÔDGODSc* ... Pyan-za-saung-neoDx)Gc5Doo'^Gcooago5 Sa-bo-thin:baw:be-daw-

ocxiii 'twet-ma-le:ogDSGosG^ ... Th\va:me:gyicgs^^s^c^c^Ds ... Kyi:rian:y6n-go-tliwa:

English.

Buy six lialf-annapostage stampsalso

Has the mail arriv-ed?

Go to the post officeDon't be away longAVait for an answerWhen does the mail-steamer leave ?Go and enquireGo to the telegraph

officeRead that telegram c^gQs^^sodcôdoSoSs Ho-kyi:nan:za-go-'patHas the Deputy

Commissioner leftoffice?When is (he) com-ing back ?Why are you so slow ?

Go to the treasuryand cash this note

Put this money intothe bag

Count it before do-ing soHow much is it ? ...How many bad ru-pees are there ?

What do you want ?(I) am very busy ...(I) have no leisureWho is there ?

san:33GG|gL^So68(gao6sogDSo A-ye: baing-min: yon:

coD% 'sin:thwa:ba-la:

ooc5Goo?gcoDocb ... Be-daw-pyan-l^-ma-le:ODD G[cgDS QGODDoS GODS Ba-gyauug-da-lauk - le:

ODÔDCÎI gan-ya-^/?a-le:Ggogg|[c^G5cô5gDDgDs Di-uwge- s e t - k u - g 0-

cSîi ngwe-daik-hma-thwa:le:ge

Scgc^^Sc^c&gDca^côS Di-ngwe-go - e i k - 't e:ma-'te-laik

oc^35gg|oô5.3^? ... Ma-'te-giu-yi-laik-6n:

o3GooDo5cx) ... Ba-lauk-le:Gg33coo5GcoD^ôlcoco Ng we-a-ba-lauk-pa-^/(a

le:CODC^9)ScOCbODo5330:^5 1^D SODc6033D8aj?.

Ba-lo-gyin-^7a-le:T5-a-16k-mya:deMa-a:bu:Ba-lu-16:


65/142

( 49 )Oppiceconcluded,

,English. Burmese. Transliteration.

Sign here ... SG^spoacooS^cSo^s ... Di-no-ya-ma-let-hmat-'to:Don't come and SoG^kclnôoDQcpScgoS Di-ga-ne-nga-go-la-ma-

botlier me to-day >. Imaung-shet-neBring the office-box ^8GcoggD9oâ;{5 ... Y6n:tit-t'a-di-go-yn-gehereIs there no empty ccogRDcôSy^cxjjscoDs... Tit-ta-lut-ma-shi-bu:la:box ?Gather up these pa- ojg|[4jDscô8S8cô5 ... Dl-set -ku- my a -.g opers thein:laikBring an envelope... od33o5coc8c5oC|}^ ... Sa-eik-ta-eik-yii-geLet (him) come to- ôSoôIcxjdogcogos^s Net-'pan-ga-la-ba-le-zi-morrow on:(I) shall reply in due 33^^cq]GC!oooI oDg^côS A-chein-kya-daw - g a -

course ocS sa-pyan-laik-mfeHealth and Sickness.

I am not very well... cq\8 gx-dSsgcodSs obd Kya-n6k-kaung:gaung:cqs raa-ma-bu:

Go and call a doctor gsos socp oogoddc5 ogDs 'Se:'sa-ya- 1 a - y a u k -GoTS> thwa:'kaw-ge

Take this letter to oD3ospo$o8câ;[ogDs... Di-sa-'sa-ya--wun-'si-go-the Civil Surgeon yii-thwa:

What did the Assist- aoGpo$ cogcoico ol g^d 'Sa-ya-wun-ga-le:ga-ba-ant Surgeon say ? co5cco pyaw:laik-tha-lfe:

Did you get to the oj$Doo|so^G3po55i|[coDs Lu-na-dan:go-yauk-'kehospital? ye-la:

Show (me) the pre- caosoDgoSs ... 'Se:za-pya-zan:scription

Where is the com- goosgooSosodsoocôc^ 'Se;'paw-tha-ma:bfe-ma-pounder ? Ih:

Ask for a renewal of G308Gi^t|soo5GOODSs^ Di-'se: y e - m y o : 't a t-this mixture ta.ung:ge

You are very pale .. . oSascoosaaQGi^cooSGcjio Min-a -tha: a -y e-tfe-oooS 'pyaw-d6What is the matter ? ooD@5ood& ... Ba-'pyit-tha-16:

7


66/142

( 50 )Health and Sicknessconcluded.

English, Burmese. Transliteration.

Are (you) taking any goosodsgôoodds ... 'Se:sa:ne-tha-la:medicine ?Are (you) all right sjGqiDo5ooD3s ... Gu-pyauk-pa-la:now ? I am a little better og^, gooSgcoS oooSodd Ga-ne-taw-da w - thet

to-day oooSii tlia-deIs your house well oSsSSood GcooSccccgoS Min-ein-ha-le-win-le-

ventilated ? Goo^SsS^coDgu dwet-kaung:ye-la:Is (it) in a sanitary oo^ôoljiSs^Ss^s^coos... Than-^/iari-shin:shin:condition ? shi-ye-la:Is this quarter 30G^5^fDGcpolooSs|[raDs Di-a-yat-ma-yaw: - ga -

healthy ? kin:ye-la:I am suffering from g.->5q|Ds cjjosg^cocS ... B[nget-'pya:'pya:ne-de

an attack of jun-gle fever

Is it intermittent ? 33Qoo533cq]^cx)coDs ... A-tet-a-kya-shi-^â-la:Take this febrifuge 33(j|3go5Gôsc^Gcx)Do5 Di-a-'pya:byat-'se:go-

thaukIs your appetite im- oogSsqioSoooDDs or 33 'Ka-dwin:pyet-tha-la:

paired ? oD?q|o5cooDDg or a-sa:pyet-tha-la:Try this tonic ... 8 oaDsc^s goos c^ goodoS Di-a:do:ze:go-thauk-

(ggSoSs kyi-zan:These pills do not SGaosoqs^.ocoô^s ... Di-'se:-16n:ne-ma-te-bu:

agree with (me)(I) am troubled with goc^Ssc^:^ ciSgS^D 00 â-daing:lo-b5:yin-asthma almost odoS gyat-na-'ta-deevery nightWhy don't (you) go oddg^dS godg@d6s gco Ba-gyaung-le-byaung:somewhere for a c^GaciSoDoliaog^sraii le-hlwfe:a-yat-ta-ba:cliange. ma-thwa:15:

MlCELLANEOTJS PhEASES.What is the market oolsccys oogcodoS go1o5 Sa-ba:ze:ba-lauk-pauk-

price of paddy ? oocou tha-15:The prices run very Sj.SoooSG'qjSGooDSsoooS Di-hnit-t5-ze:kaung:d5high this yearHe trades in paddy ojoolsajsoooS ... Thu-sa-b4:ku:d6


67/142

( 51 )MiscELLAKBOus PhrasbsContinued.

English. Burmesfi. Transliteration.I

Is that man a tim- c^côodooSgsISscods ... Ho-lti-ha-thit-gaung:ber-trader ? te:

(I) do not know for oaoooSocSo^s ... A-tat-ma-thi-bii:a certainty

(I) am not sure ... og@ococ5o:;^s ... Ma-pyaw:dat-'pu:(I) cannot say ... os^^Sojs ... . Ma-'so-hnaing-bti:Looks like an as- GcoSsoGpôjjoocS .., Be-din-'sa-y4-ne-tu-d^

trologer

Have you a horo- oSôcaoood^sôdds ... Min-ma-za-da-sbi-ye-scope ? la:Wby don't (you) cx3Dg8cÔ)DcoDôoc2) Ba-'pyit-lo-za-da-ma-bave one cast ? 'pwe-Âa-16:

' Tbis fruit is poison- Ssa c8s cod goodoS odcjS Di-a-tbi:lia-tauk-tat-t5ous oocS

Tbis is not poison ... GloasBcSaocfcSoqs ... Da-a-'seik-ma-bok-'pti:Durians are cbeap Sj.6g2G|s^sGoloooS ... Di-bnit-du:yin:!^î: paw:

tbis year deHe bad (it) cheap... cxjjgoIgoIsiscS ... Tb1i-paw:baw:ya-deHe arrived while odg[o5o8 c6o^so:jGGpo5 Tba-yet-tlii:blaing-d6n:mangoes were ab- cooS thu-yauk-t5undant

Mangosteens are oSgcgoSoSs^^Dsooc^ ... Min:gut-tbi:sba:d5scarce and dear

Bring that water- c^^sooDssfiâjjb ... Ho-mo:ga-in:gyi-yu-geproof coat

Does it rain daily ? G?.cSsq8aDa>oDDs ... Ne-daing:mo:ywa-Âa-la:

When will they start oogSgooooI oocôog^^ Be-daw-ga-15-sa-'tun-ploughing ? ^ gya-ma-le:

How many pairs of ajg^ ccoSog^DS ooo5j.5 Thu-ma-16-dun-nwa:plough oxen has cggsôora be-hna-shm:sbi-if/â-be ? ' ^^'

Look out for a milch .ôds^dsq oogodoS ^looSs No-za:na-ma-ta-gaung-co^ ol sba-zan:ba

This pony is very Sg5coSco5ooo5 ... Di-myin:t^-nge-d5small


68/142

( 52 )Miscellaneous Phrasescontinued.

Englisb, Burmese. Trausliteratiou.

Does he trot well ? gcos odoS gcodSs goddSs Le:bet-kaung:gaung:ogDsli^coDg thwa:ye-la:

(His) head is mean go16s as cocS ... Ga\ing:a-d5The ears are inclined ôscgD^^GoqjooocS ... Na-gya\v:ne:nfe:yaw-de

to droopThe eyes are fairly 4]o5o^sgco5gc5^|[ .., Myet-16n:taw-da\v-shi-good yeDoes he shy ? ... cogcocSoocoD; ... Thwe-dat-tha-la:His quarters are cc&cqGcooB%aD( ... Tin-gya-kaung-.degoodHe is also thick-set ocjoocSco^sgcwoSsodgS Du-de-le:kaung:deHas he been raced ? [^Soj^sodcods ... Pyaing-bd:^/ta-la:He doesn't look a (5gSs^,oa|jcz^s ... Pyaing-myin:ne-ma-tu-

racer bu:What paces does he oooSsacgDs^scooBoDoi Ee-a-th\va:myo:tat-tha-know ? le:Swinging walk, trot, |cosq^3ii gcososoSii cqt Hnwc: Ian: do:, le: bet,

canter, ambling, Gq]DSsGooDo5ii33 0Doq|ii thon: gyaung: dauk,gallop ccj^gii a-tha-gya, don:

What will you sell coGcoDo5^.GGp68ocx) ... Ba-lauk-ne-yaung:ma-(him) for ? 1^:

Has he a high action? coo5good6sg|otds ... Let-kaung:ye-la:Of what breed is this olooDGgstHsco ... Da-ba-'k\ve:myo:16:dog?

^He) is a cross be- GgscSojs^. 5^s osocôS 'Kwe:ba-lu:ne-pa-go:-a-tweeu ahull and GgsoSoqiooDobii me:laik- ' k we : s a t-a Pegu hound kya-d-i-be

Kill that pariah dog c^ GgsoS odsc^ odo5 66 Ho-'kwe: win - z a : g o -cô5 that-pyit-laik

Are (you) a dog- Ggsoloo^D^cocoDt ... 'Kwe:wa-t]ia-na-slii-^/?afancier ? la:

You can liave that c^GgsooGcosoj^Gcoo ... Ho-'kwe: ga-le : yu-dawpupIt has good points... cgsoGoooSscooS ... 'K\ve:za-kaung:deA.re big game abnud- GcoDgD33&@8Gc"| snoods Di-taw: ma-a-me: gyi:ant in this jungle ? paw:ye-la:


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English. Burmese. Translitevation.How many beaters 33> g^doSoood? cooSjjiS A-mfe: cliauk- tha-ma:

are there ? gcdo5ccSii bfe-hna-yauk-slii-Âa-Let the men on the ooo5$dsto oj ^ds goodSs Let-na : ga -lu-mya:

outskirts beat well GooaSssqiDoScpGon kaung: gaung: chaukpe-zi

Are you not tired oSsoGODccso:;j?coDg ... Min: nia-maw: the: bu:yet ? la:

He is tired and pant- cxjGODccô5G^g ... Thu-maw: lo-haik-ne-bimg(I) am feeling very GcicoSogg ... Ye-ngat-hla-bithirsty.

Let us rest a little oaD^Ds|i o^,cocôd ods 'Ka-na-na: pi: n^-15-z&,-and take tiffin (33^ sa: gya-6n: zo

Is'nt there a well SsoIsos^ds^d Gq


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English.

Get the carriagereadyIs tliere room in the

stable ?Has the pony been

given his feed ?Do not water him yetHarness him now ...Drive to the post

officeTurn to the right ...Turn to the left ...Drive straight on ...Put out the saddle in

the sunBring the reins and

girths alsoBurnish the stirrups

Where is the mart-ingale ?

The tail strap (crup-per) has snapped.

Put the bridle on ...B/emove the head-

stallDo not go to law

merely for this(I) shall sue him in

court(I) shall prosecutehimWhat is the charge ?Who is the complain-

ant?

Burmese.G[CODS[y8cô5

CODSgSsC^330DG^s(SOCODS

GqOCô5ô3^SOD^gaD^SOODSoScOOOodi^cSoSc^godSs

ODo5b 0006c^c0ôojôq^godSsocjs|sc^G^cggcô5 ...

0)o5(c^so68ccSc^DSol (X^

^5s C^DSC^ gQdS G33d5

gqsodoocSqcx)

sci^5sgcSogD8(

335oo5ooôlsq8c^g)c^cô5

3lGCODo5ôg80COc5ô .../

cxjcO^cocpsgoc^

cxôO^sa^joqSooS or aj-o8Gp(>iOcSooocS

^sjjoScxioSc^COCOGpJOÔOCCjJCX)

Transliteration.

la-'ta: pyin-laik

Myin:zaung: ma-ne-ya-shi-the:ye-la:

Myin: go-a-sa-kywe:pi:ba-la:

Ye-ma-taik-ne-6n:Ka-gyo: ta-za-sin-dawSa-bo-daik-ko-maung:

Let-ya-bet-ko-hleLet-we: bet-ko-hleTe-de-maung:Kou: hni: go-ne-hlan:

laikZet-kyo: wun: bat-mya:ba-yu-ge

Nin: mya: go-pyaung-aung-talk-laik

Me: dwa-be-ma-le:Mi: ifAaing: pyat-thwa:

bi6k-'ket-'tePa-chat-ko-chut-laik

Da-lauk-ne-yon: ma-tet-ne

Thu-go-ta-ya: swe: meT h u -go-a-hmu-lok-m^

or thu-go-ya-za-wut-hmu-sw6: meS\Ye:gyet-be-lo-le:

Ta-ya-lo-ba-lu-le:


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The accused has ab- coGpsSogoScgs^ ... Ta-ya-'kan-'twet-pye:sconded M

Attach his property cxj.og^?côle|soo5 ... Thu-pyit-si: go-wa-yan:kat

Issue a warrant for oqoCooscôlG[S8cxjcS Thu- go - 'pan: ho-wa-his arrest yan: 'tok

Issue a summons for ^st^^cxjo cspoSsj^ oôooS Yon: go-la-yauk- y a n -the attendance of coocôogDôDg ho-thet-the-go-tha'n -that witness han,-za-cha

Is this man a revenue ScxjcoDsag^cooS ogôdS Di-lu-ha-a-'kun- d a w-defaulter ? qjoSogcSojcoDg ma-'saung-pyet-kwet-

thu-la:Show me the tax re- sag^cooScgoDc^goSg A-'kun-daw^-pye-za -go

ceipt pya-zan:He has come to apply 33g|Gcx)S ogcS g&g qjSs A-'kun-daw-lut-n e i n

for a remission of coDgScajDoSc^ cxjood chan:tha-g win-revenue cocS shauk-'po-thu-la-d5

On what grounds ooi^sagr^Syjasc^ 33Gg Be-a-c h e t-mya-go- adoes he apply ? Gcg]3o5cocd che-pyu-shauk-tha-lfe:What evidence is cc5côon5GOD^coc2) ... B6-lo-thet-the-shi-^ ^ a

there ? 16:The evidence is in- oDo5GOD5q]o5 oo^goodoS Thet-the-'kan-gyet-ma-

sufficient oqs lon-lauk-'pti:(He) will be brought (ôodsodoSgosq^^'ô sago Hmu-Âa-thet-the-'kan-up for perjury e^cSSaoS hmu-ne-a-swe: 'k a n-

ya-lein-m6Is not this dacoited alcxjDsgcôSGpol og^so Da-da-mya-taik-ya,-b a -

property ? otôSo^scods pyit-si: ma-hok-'pu:la:

Were the dacoits ooDsgcôsgooooSôSoloo Da-mya-mya-m a - 1 e tarmed ? =>^' ' net-pa-Âa-laThis opium-eater is c8|soDsooD^spologgS5 Di-bein: za: ha-'ko: jk-

a receiver of stolen coo55cx;}@8cooS ha-pyit-si: let-'kan-property thu-'pyit-t6

Is he a bad eharac- cxjcxjs^scods ... Thu-lu-zo: la:ter?


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( 56 )Miscellaneous Phrasesconcluded.


Hand liim over to aj.c^c^cSS odoh^ds coo5 TLu-go-pa- lei k-th ii:tbe police saSdôS raya: let-at-laikDo you know the Gp!, gooac^ ^dscoÎi Chi-ya-gan-u-pa-de-go-

track law ? CODS na: le-ye-la:^Vho is the headman S[Dcogi3ocjgsoDc(;{c& ... Di-ywa-â-ywa-tha-gyi:

of this village ? ba-lii-16:


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PART II -LITERARY.CHAPTER I.

The Alphabet.The following are the letters in the Burmese alphabet

Vowels.Short :33 a g^ * g u ^ . ^ _Long :333 6t ^ I g zt

c e 33 e: ^ or gi^d aw:g[^5 aw (long) 3^

iV.5.33DS (with the heavy accent) is but a modified form of33D ; and 33, being a niggaliita or nasal breathing is, strictly speak-ing, not a vowel. The symbols of the vowels are-

Short ' ILong .. .3 orG....3

...y

Gutturals : 00 o oPalatals


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( 68 )ception of 3 in gcolSsii a peacock, of od which has superseded o inmost eases, of o. in ooicS {cassia floridci) and of jj used in g^s * abazaar, as well as the cerehral letters and the liquid gare notused in words of purely Burmese origin. The pronunciation ofthe classified consonants needs some explanation. When a wordis preceded hy another which ends with the first letter of any ofthe classes of classified consonants, that word retains its normalpronunciation, f Examples.

( (go5ooos kyet tha(. 33)CX)Ds ame : thk :rj^Ss} shit 'ku(c^ss{ ko : gur oooBoof^ tat thi( oSoD^ 'kin thirs^Bq^B 6k chokl^qiS myo gyok

{normal.)[abnormal.)[normal.)[abnormal.(normal.)[abnormal).[normal.)[abnormal.)

The following tables show the combination of consonants withvowels, and of consonants with consonants :

Consonant with Vowel.Consonant.


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( 69 )The combinations with 36 and coot are formed as follows :

00 + 33 = GO kan00 + 33Dg = cooi ka:

The forms oo 08 cxj good may take consonantal finals :oDo5 ket c85 keik ocj5 k6k goo^S kaung

When 3^ is combined with any consonant it is pronounced ai.3^o5 = aik.3^5 = aing.

Consonant with Consonant.

Consonant.


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( 60 )ciation to them, the difficulty in understanding Burmese or-thography is greatly enhanced. The words, whose spelling is con-sidered doubtful, are those having for their final consonants oo 4. o o.An intelligible differentiation can, however, be made by bearing inmind that the idea of contact or contiguity runs through all Bur-mese verhs ending in 5 and S,* and that the rest of the verhs inwhich this idea is not involved take the final o5 or ?.

CHAPTER II.Homonyms.The borrowed alphabet of Aryan origin is inadequate to repre-

sent phonetically the sounds of a tonal non-Aryan tongue and hasprobably reduced the number of tones in the Burmese language.This reduction mu.st have affected the homonyms which are com-mon to the Indo-Chinese family.

ooSs =: A small unripefruit.ooSs = A scorpion.coSs = To be free.0%% = A flower.o^s = To be fatigued.

Phonetic Changes.The literary form of the Burmese language is slightly differentfrom the colloquial. Certain words are not pronounced as they

are written, and there are laws which regulate such phoneticchanges.

("aj When a final consonant is followed by a nasal it is nasal-ized by assimilation

335qo5 = gBSooS ... To di^eam.G330pS(2a = G330SSGO .... To lOUO foV.$S*3 = ^S^D ... To be aiigrkccd.

* o5 to join. OdSs or og6? to stretch out (so as to be in close contact).


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( 61 )(b) Somet-imes the inherent vowel u or u is elided

c^G^ôS = oG[ô5 ...A native book.o:jC[6 = ooG^S ...A king.Scqcps = Scoqps ...A queen.cjd^g = oc^s ...A pagoda,cx^ = o3i ...A soldier.ajsc^ =: coc^ ...A ferry.

(c) The aspirate in g) sha is omitted and the letter is pronouncedas G| ya.

38SGg\oSg= ^ScsôSs ... A cr01071 prince.33Gp^ = s3GpS[ ... An official.

(d) The letters co ba ot o pa and o* ma are interchangeablecncS = 008 (pronounced oo8)... 4 sA;'W.ooDsg = QODsg ... ^ dacoit.

(e) The initial consonants are aspirated8 = ... before.^c6 = 3ô5 ...To draw.^S = |5 ... To 6e able.oB = 5S ... Ink.

(/) cg)(=cQ + oo + c)is pronounced jis/ia.Gcg|Do5 = GjjDoS ... To petition.c^go5 =: ^go5 ... To conceal.oac^Ss = 33^Ss ... ^< all.

(g) In words beginning with u or ii the initial vowel takesfor its final the initial consonant of the following syllable and u ischanged into u :

go8 g^S = g^S ...A cave.SsGSDoS = B


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( 62 )(h) The initial consonant is sometimes softened

08 = gS ... To throio.Qcq^(?s ... A plate.

{j ) Various phonetic values are assigned to ^.^ = / as Gi^ yi ... To allude to.^ = ^>^ as q^pyiii A plank.^ = e as 30^ se ... A weir.Punctuation.

Three marks are used in Burmese punctuation, namely,I , II and II II .The first corresponds to the English comma, the second to the

period at the end of a sentence, and the third to the period at theend of a paragraph. A paragraph may also begin with 11 " . Thefirst mark is falling out of use, the seccnd being substituted for it.In separating the constituent elements of a compound, however,the mark 1 is still used.

CHAPTER III.The Noun.

Nouns may be divided into abstract and concrete, according totheir meauing, or into simple and compound, according to theirform. Abstract nouns are formed by prefixing aa or affixing q|o5 orgSs to a verb :g to do, becomes sag or (3Ss or ô5 deed, action, e.g.,

o:S(^33gj.533Gg30DgSo^ = His dccd and word do notcorrespond.=^^=@Ss oôgSsaa^js = If there were no such action,ôôojoSu there would be no results.

d^"^^^'^^" Such an action is improper.


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( 63 )The prefix 3d does not always convey an abstract idea, as for

instance : 33god833(^5 = a watchman.Nouns are simple, ascqa man, oSS a house. Compound nouns

may he formed(a) by uniting t-wo nouns :

[D a village -\- oods a son = A villager.O0D3 a sword + aSS a house = A scabbard, e.g.,

g]^DapÎ^DooDgc^cô5coD@coîi= The villagers came out.oDDSsSSgoS^cqioDîi = The scabbard slipped down.

(6) by uniting a noun and a verb :od6s a road -j- (q to show = A guide.[ a debt + ods to eat = A debtor.G^ the sun + oS to enter = Sunset, e.g.,

coSsgooGcaDoSglgGjoîi = (You) must engage aguide.

(5y6j>S(oDgc:ôoG(x>Dooj = The creditor and the|5îi debtor cannot come to

an agreement.GôS^ôcjGGpoSoDDooîi = He arrived at sunset.

(


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( 64 )Number.

The plural is formed by adding iôsii or cii many, to the sin-gular. 4iDsi: is generally used in connection with inanimate things,and cîi in connection with persons or animate things. Tlie com-bination of the two affixes as in c^^jdscîi men is admissible in thecolloquial form of the language.

Singular.


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( 65 )In the case of rational beings different words may be used, to

express the masculine and feminiae genders, or the afl&x o maybe joined to the masculine form in order to denote the feminiaegender.

Masculine.


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( 66 )affix of the nominative case : godSgodSoo^codoo^h Maung Maungcomes.

The affix may he omitted : god6god6cooooîiOD is also one of the affixes of the Ablative Case. It denotes

that an action issuesfrom an agent and also indicates narration.aj(X)SDODf5ii ... Se speahs.ojcocoDolccjiGoTcoîi ... He calls : "please come."

^D is generally used in an explanatory sense, and should he dis-tinguished from the Locative affix yon

cxjjgDogDSGôîi As regards him, he must go.cogDHOODS II (ôoD 811 dcuotc contradistlnction.

{OD^DII ")COD8II > CODCÔû(j^CODSII J

As regards Maung Maimg, he must come.The Accusative Case.

c^ needs no explanation :c]cGosolii ... Give (it) to me.

The natural tone of a noun or pronoixn which takes this affix isalways changed to an abrupt one.

The Genitive Case.(^ the affix of the Genitive Case may sometimes be dispensed

with, and the noun or pronoun standing in that case is always pro-nounced with an abrupt tone :

oSscogt^Dii ... Hoyal property,clog^sii ... My property,ajj.0D3;j5ii ... Sis book.

The Dative Case.Of the affixes of the Dative Case 332? is generally used to express

the Pali dative.ajo33DSG08olii ... Give (it) to him.

The natural tone of a noun or pronoun which takes the affixesof the genitive case is always changed to an abrupt one. But this


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( 67 )change as well as the other in the case of the accusative affix cîs not generally indicated in the literary form of the language.

o signifies motion towards a place ;@^^c^DsoogSii ... [Se) goes to Prome.

CO signifies motion towards si,person :33GG[S^5Q0335qoîi ... Must be delivered to the Deputy

Commissioner.The Ablative Case.

0011 5 indicate motion from a place, person or objectG|$a:|$ôoooDooîi ... (Se) comes from Rangoon.^33G|5gogDSG[oîi ... Must gofrom here.

The Instrumentative Case.j>S or 8 denotes an instrument with which an action is per-

formed :CXDDS 1 pc [ ODOSOOÎI

(Se) kills ivith a sword.39D8gSii g(35 denote the cause of an effect

Maung Pyu dies on account of him.The tone of a noun or pronoun which takes gQdS as its affix is

changed to an abrupt one in the colloquial form of the language :ocjJoG^dS ... By him.

The Locative Case. "tStrictly speaking, the affixes of the Locative Case are Prepositions

of place.-ojS

j^S -l I' in a house.


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( 68 )CHAPTER IV.The Pronoun.

Personal Pronouns.The Burmese language is prolific iu Personal Pronouns ; but

they are generally dispensed with in polite speech and official writ-ings. In writing or conversation they vary according to the socialor official status of the addressee.

Personal Pronouns of the First Person.cl is the primitive foi'm. It is used by superiors to inferiors.

It frequently occurs in royal orders and religious works.og]|^5 or o^ll^ means a little slave. This form may be con-

tracted into cq]^5ii The modern tendency being to hide the originof the word, Upper Burmans now write cq]^5 (masculine) andcq)o (feminine) for ogj|5 and ogjio respectively.

og$Gco5 means the slave of a Mgh personage, not necessarilyroyal ; and ogj^cooSt^s means of thefamily of such slates.

oqcpsii * the word used in addressing a high personage may beprefixed to o^jfccoS or cg?GooSi^sii

cgGco5c^3s in the singular is intermediate between ogj^cxS andog]^Gco5


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( 69 )oSs and god6o6s respectively. In the colloquial form of thelanguage côSii with the plural ogoScîi (also pronounced ro^J, andcocSii with its plural cc6cii (also pronounced osô), are used inboth genders : the first to denote familiarity with, and the secondinferiority of, the addressee.

côSii with its plural côScg or cô5,oii is used colloquially mostlyamong women.

5[5 a novice, with the prefix god6 or cîi according to the senior-ity or otherwise of the speaker, is used by women in addressingmen. (^f^S (pronounced '^


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( 70 )oSgDSii or 5[Sii sir, but say sacqs^SoSs in addressing a DeputyCommissioner, cosp in speaking to a teacher, doctor, or mastermechanic. In speaking to monks they describe themselves as ooo^GooS or ooo^godSq your disviple. It is polite to call a respect-able elderly man a cxjcpsooooD tlie builder of a pagoda, gojidSsododdthe builder of a lajanng or monastery, oqScoooo the builder of azayat, cogoodSscocxjd the builder of a tazaung ; and to use the corre-sponding feminine forms oqspssaaii Gaj]Ds33oii os|5330ii oDGaoDSssaonin speaking to a respectable elderly lady. Besides these, termssignifying blood relationship are used to express intimacy, endear-ment, or politeness; as oao^s grandfather; ssaôi grandmother33QCOfather ; 33go mother ; osSc^ elder brother ; ssSo elder sister ;^ younger brother ; ^q younger sister ; odds son; ods daughtergQs grandchild, Sfc, Sfc.

The Relative Pronoun.The Relative Pronoun is expressed by godd and coîi which are,

strictly speaking, adjectival and verbal affixes respectively, as,( GOOD ôdod5 < ê ^ aj ... He who teaches.

The Reelexive Pronoun.c^cSc^S or simply o^c^ self, is the sign of the Reflexive Pronoun

c1>-:ôS myself ; s^.c^cS himself.The Interrogative Pronoun.

oocô^jii oô^ wliO ; oocS or oôd^ which or what.The following pailicles are used in connection with Interro-

gative Pronouns as well as Verbs :GODD or ODGODDii ...In written language.ODDS or ojoDDSii ... In spoken, language.^^s or oD^^sii ...In written language.CO or oDC&iio^s or oDo^s

The use of ccds or ododdsn and cb or oocoii may be differentiatedthus : the former is used when the reply is a simple affirmation ornegation, and the latter when it is otherwise :

^ i ... 2n spoken language.


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( 71 )-OD^33G(^DS8y$ODCOD8 ... Is tMs tvue?cxio5ooco3cx)OT ... Where do you come from ?The Demonstrative Pbonoun.

The Demonstrative Pronouns areoDîiîiqSs this, and o^ (Coll. c^)ii odSs that.The Compound Relative Peonoun.

Compound Relative Pronouns are formed by preiixing o^ to aPronoun and adding 3^ not say, to the combination thus farmed :

B^cxôs^ ... whosoever.oôD^33Gpo3^ ... whatsoever.

The Distribtitive Pronoun.The Distributive Pronouns are

cf^Ss every, cô5iicôScii33o8s3oo8s each.The Indeeinitb Pronoun.

The Indefinite Pronouns aredSoSSsH OoSsiI 330qgll 330^8^ H pOOÛ 333618sil ODOODII OOC^DS all; 33^

some ; 33(93511 codsii oo61 h odojs other ; 3d(^S whatevercô^GcDD this, such ; g^fc^cooD of this sort ; o^cx^good ofthat sort ; o^c^goodii ssc^goodii 33cx)c^cgoo3ii oooSo^good ofwhat sort; co^^w coi^coQ^ anything ; odi^cogoddoSii cogoo3o5GCJODoSlI cogsgsil OoJlSoTsil 03gs03GC3o5ll 33[gScCj^ ally OUC.

CHAPTER V.The Adjective.

The sign of the Adjective is co^ or gcodh as goddSs godo good.Comparison denotes the gradation of increase or decrease to beobserved in the employment of the Adjective. The degrees ofcomparison are expressed by

Comparativeo:>o surpassing or excelling, as, ood^'goodSsgoodbetter

Superlativeaqs extremity, as sogc^dSss^s best.Sometimes to denote the comparative degree, 33ooo5 over, above,or 933?o5 below, m&j be used according as the standard of com-


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( 72 )parison is lesser or greater in quantity or quality tlian the thingeompared with : aDo5qn5ooo5t^GO(^o^ shall be more than ten daysooc6g[o5g330o5go5]ogog[q^ shall he less than ten days.The suffix isli in English, as in yellowish or reddish, is ex-

pressed in Burmese by the particle oo oo Avhose vocalic componentis assimilated to that of the word to which it is attached :

ol -|- coco ^ olcoDooD ... Yellowish.^ + coco =: |c8cB ... Reddish.^ + coco = |5|o:jcq ... Whitish.& + coco = iobcb ... SlacTiish.The particle o5ii is of the same signification ; but its mode of

coalescence with a word is different. When o5 is prefixed to aword the latter is reduplicated as ^5^^ sweetish. These twoparticles are used in the colloquial form of the language only.

Quantitative Adjectives.The Quantitatives Adjectives are

33cqs tohole, all; ss^^snsa^^scoSii S^so^Jn feio, little; ssq^dshmany ; oa^ssooSii some.

Ntjmeeatives.In the use of Cardinal Numeral Adjectives one peculiarity is to

be noticed. When the number expresses twenty or more theAdjective is preceded by the noun, and the ])article 33 is insertedbefore the numerative of the class to which the noun belongs.

qco$s3Dolsj.Ssoc6 ... Tioenty pongyis.Sometimes the particle sd is omitted and the word gg| inimber,

is placed after the numerative :cjgsGG[ JO or 5.80^5* ... Tioenty men.gSs 8sGS| JO ... Twenty ponies.

Sometimes goISs or {^'E^go'ISs is used to denote the aggregatenumber

ojcolSg |.8cooS ... Twenty men.c(jjgsGC|{j^Gol5s JO ... Total number of men : 20.

* ODO^S = Ten.


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( 73 )In expressing Ordinal Numbers, Pali words are generally used,

asog ... First.qc8oo ... Second.ooc8oo ... Third, 8fG.,8i-c.

Sometimes cgDoS may be used to express an Ordinal Number^8s{G(gDo5 ... Second.

In connection with Numeral Adjectives the nature of what hasbeen conveniently termed numeratives may be explained. Thesenumeratives are a peculiar feature of the Chinese and Indo-Chineselanguages. They express the nature of the object denoted andconnote its physical attributes. The following numeratives are incommon use :

8 head : cxjcgsooSs... A rich man.GooDoSu in speaking of human beings

GooDoSoqjos jGooDoS ... Two men.8^so 9 Gcx)Do5 ... Three women.

olsii In speaking of rulers, pongyis, and persons of high socialor official rank, this particle is used

oSsoools ...A ruler.G|co^soools ... A pongyi.aospoools ...A teacher.

^ is used in speaking of inaaimate objects which, have no othernumerative

oDs^clssj ... Five tables.s to ride. Vehicles and riding animals take this numerative

G^ooDSjs ... Two carriages.gSscnSs ... One pony.

3CJI1 Buddhas, pagodas, images, and parahaihs (native books)take tbis numerative :

ajsps 9acj ... Four Buddhas, pagodas, or images.c{G|^o5jaj ... Two parahaihsNumeratives explain the physical attributes of the objects they

qualify10


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( 74 )a

ioi flat ; ô5a6oD(yDg one pice.q^flrit and thin; tjgcoqS one plank ; o^\[coqS one sheet

of p)cip)er.o^s round or cylindrical; t^s^'H' five pots ; ^%c\icxi% five

]}ipes.o5 elongated ; coyoooSs a hoat-

cjoDScooSs sword ; côdoSs a spear.g^dSs long and stiff; afGSoocqDSs s^^'c^.g30d8 building; gSSoogcodS a house; gojidSsoogoodS a

oS ft ^rê or any tiling long, as thread, hair, &c.co^sdsoS five palmyra trees; cooS')oE: five hairs;

qi^ goS ê threads.In the absence of specific numeratives the noun itself is used

as suchgjDo^sQD ... Three villages.[go^sg . . . Three towns.

CHAPTER VI.The Verb.

The Verb is modified by mood, tense, and voice.There are two moods : the Indicative and the Imperative ; and

three tenses : the Present, the Past, and the Future.THE INDICATIVE MOOD.

Present Tense.Singular. Plural.

cqj^SogDSco^ ... I go.ooSogDjoo^. ... You go.cQDg^soo^ ... Se goes.

cgs^Scgc^DggoD^ ... TFe go.coScgogDsgoD^ ... You go.^^W^^ ...They go.

Note.C^ is the plural affix of the Pronoun, and g is that of the Verb.


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( 75 )The Past tense is expressed by ii* îif o^sii and the Future by

oîi oSSaîi 3311 G033II or 8Sll COgg.llThe bare Verb without any affix is used to indicate the Imper-

ative Mood, as coSogDs you go ; or godo (Coll. godo) maybe affixedto the Verb, as coSogDsccoo or ooSogDSGooonThe other moods are expressed by affixes signifying power,

permission, conditionality, &c.The Potential Mood is expressed by |8 denoting power or

ability, and the Conditional by cgjS if.There is no difference between a Substantive and a Substantive

Infinitive.Bathing (or to bathe) is good ... GG|^s(gSsGoo3S8ooîi

Voice.Strictly speaking, there is no Passive Voice in the Burmese

language. The particles 5ii cîi og^h however, express passivity andmay be construed as signs of the Passive Voice. 'J he absence ofthis Voice is compensated by the peculiar way of forming ActiveVerbs from Passive and vice versa. The Active form of a Verbis expressed by the aspirated initial consonant; and this formmay be modified into a Passive one by dropping the aspiratethus, q| to let fall (Active) ; og to he fallen (Passive). This ruleholds good throughout the whole range of the Burmese languao'e,except in the single instance of ^cS to draw out, which retains thesame form both in the Active and Passive. There are two otherwords in which usage has permitted some deviation from thegeneral rule, in that the conjunct consonant ya {oo) in the Activeform is changed into ra (g[) in the Passive.

cqooS I cgooSTofrighten. To befrightened.

To crush or pulverise. To be crushed or pulverised.* The Past tense is sometimes expressed by CX)^ and (^ which may l,e called the

signs of the " aorist " or-" historical teuse."t Or strictly speaking, 2) and cq% express the Pluperfect Tense and ^sf thePerfect tense. These lenses, however, are not recognized by the BvirmeseThese two Verbs are pronounced by the Arakanese with the sound of Gl (ra).


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( 76 )Verbal Appixes.

s (pronounced 3^s in the colloquial) signifies repetition :cqj |5ogDsgsoîi I shall go again ; otherwise, it is a/orm of entreaty :ooDolsii please come.

oooc^

Gp

ooS

GOOoSsCp

oo5

GcooBs J

' Signify suitability or expediency.

Should not be killed.

oq?n (^11 j5(îi cocogSgii oq?cx!co^sii goii gocîi oo^ are all assertiveafl&xes denoting the conclusion of a sentence.

Gqjii GC0911 gsGoooii Gcoii Gcooii coS signify a command

jScô

L

Gq)GODO

BsGCXJO_, oGCOGODOcoS

^

You go.

j>S signifies prohibition or priority :oaps^S ... Do not go.ooBapt^B ... J)o you go before.

oil) 08 signify an entreaty or command couched in polite lan-guage :

Gos < ^ [ Give or please give.GO is the sign of causation, and is used in official orders :

GoiGoii Give, or l6t (him) be given.bii côSii GODO or GG|o are used colloquially in an imperative

sense ; asoDob ... Come.cqcS^cS ... Take.;ôsGco3 or GS|o ... Go,


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( 77 )ttjjoJii Gôaîi ogii 'o^sii (Coll.) abu cod signify the continuance of

an act, and are the signs of the Progressive tense :r

OgDS ^

CCJjoS

3b003 J

Going.

G[ signifies obligation : ogosqo^ must go.cx) is always used in a negative sense

o3S5a)ogD2oDgS ... {Se) goes without sleeping.8 signifies that afault or offence is admitted or implied

o3oS8c^ ... (J) killed.1D denotes commiseration,

oâjo3GoogGco^3( ... That poor boy is dead.@8 denotes ^â^ a /ac^ âs passed from a state of contingency

to that of reality :cgDsgSoo^ ... (2) did go.

coc6 or oojoSii signifies ^^/Jess, suitability :oDsogoS ... datable.oDs^SocgoS ... Tempting food.

ro)5ii godSî GpDGooSii coo5god5 are gerundial affixes : as

GCX)5llgcogodSii

r,

o5s@sô5(y^6Goo5ijjor

C53o5gOd5|1

After the king had died.|5 can: c^ds^ScoûoooS (1) habit: odsodoSco^ ...

(2) natural propensitygoSqjcocSoD^

(3) ndtural qûality8GCODo5o5cX)^ ...

(iZe) Congo.(Se) eats.

(A) bird flies.

Arsenic is poisonous.


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( 78 )GOGODD or oIgogodd (also written gcsodS or gocdddSh to indicate

prolonged articulation) olcocoos and goxicd^sh are imprecativeaffixes expressing a desire for an event to happen, and are used atthe end of oaths, introductions, prefaces, &c.

goooIgogodd or gcxioIgocxjds .., May (i) die !Vehbs op Courtsey.

The polite nature of the Burmese language admits of the use ofa variety of expressions to denote the same act done by personsof different social or ofQcial rank, as

ODSOD^ ... To eat.^6oqG^5-^Gcx3Soo^GooSijji-oo^ ... A Mng eats.qaD$s-o:j[^sGosGoo5i^-cx)^ ... A pongyi eats.

Gcocx)^ ... To die5|Sa:^cS-^cSgiDCGoo5i^-oD^... A king dies : (literallyenjoys

the pleasures of the natcountry.)

G[oD$s-cjj*Gco5(^-OD^ ... A 2)d'iigi/i dies : (literally fliesaway.)

gc6gDorjGp8-o^gD|oa:j ...A BtiddJia dies (enters nir-GcoSi^-oDîi Hâna.)

cgDScx)^ ... Togo5[6o:^si6-s,oo5Goo5g^^^Gco5(;j^- A king goes (moves tlie

oDîi golden feet.)qcx)^s-(Gco5i^-0D^ ... A pdiui'ji goes.gcSgôqeps-GaoDODlJcxji^cog ,4 BiiddJia goes (on. a mis-

GcoS^-oDîi sionary tour.)aSSoo^ ... To sleep5[6QrjG[8-orGcoBGoT-oo^ ...A Icliig sleeps.

g^cx)$s-c8$god5i^-co^ ... Apxjngyi sleeps.When the three classes of personages, namely, the king or anvmember of his family, the monk and the Buddlia are spoken of,the honorific affix qco%


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( 79 )Adjectiv


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( 80 )Those of place are

ogSii |ii ^311 ooS at, in, on; 33%i\\ sa^Ds about, near ; 3o*"5 orogS among, out of

coGogôoS along ; g[ before; g^doS behind; sacooSn fxsGuT over,above; g33do5 below; aaogSsn cgS among, loitUn ; ooSooâround ; aagDSii o5g3g betioeen, betwixt ; sacg? beyond33@S or 330 without ; obc into ; oocooS amidst ; cScodacross.

CHAPTER IX.The Conjunction.

Copulative : j-Sii^ and ; ocdooo not onlybut also.Disjunctive : yoaolsii qSsgSn @S besides; gSoo eithe) or, neithernor ; côojcS or.Adversative: GooSoo^siic^GooSoogSgii ::opo2Sii od8ooo3s * but, al'

though,lUatire : cggS^n c^g^dS therefore.Telic : liSsaîi co^Shod^ssc^Ssii g(c^dSiigoddgQd8ii gôdds * Because.

CHAPTEU X.The Interjection.

Interjections express sudden emotions which may find utterancein expressions differing according as tlie feeling is one of admir-ation, delight, pity, dislike, astonishment, or desire.

0DCO38 Indeed! ^ Oh! aac^coDsn sacooSii @S3iGOoSg Alas!ssooSg^s Oh mother! gsoogoos Oh father ! oodiîi Welldone ! Good

g denotes a sudden feeling of delight^SsoDDg ... Oh happiness!

Interjections are used more frequently in the colloquial than inthe literary form of the Burmese language.

* Are archaic forma.


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( 81 )CHAPTER XI.

Syntax.In a Burmese sentence the subject is followed by the object,and the predicate is placed last. For the sake of emphasis, the

object may precede the subject.cyoo^cgcô5coîi or cgc^c&ooo5oo^ ... Nga Me heats Nga

Fyu.Either of these sentences may be expanded by adding an at-

tribute or adjunct to each of the nouns and to the verb, thus

GooD5sGcoDc6cx>gSscxD^g3ô5oo^ ... The good Nga Me beatsthe bad Nga Fyu severely.

Adverbial clauses may be further added :Cl^C^3^(S0g)Sll GCX)3SsG00DC&a>â^gGCX)DC^0^ CoS8COoSog5o^SG|>O^QSs

oolgoôSooîi After having said so, the good Nga Mebeats the bad Nga Pyu severely, while seated in themiddle of the road.

The following rales of Syntax may be deduced from the abovearrangement of words(i) The adverbial clause of time is placed at the head of a

sentence,(ii) The subject or object (as stated above) precedes the

predicate,(iii) The nominal or verbal adjunct immediately precedes

the noun or verb to which it relates,(iv) The adverb precedes the verb or another adverb,(v) The verb or predicate comes last.

Additional examples :oôo^saolgi c^c(j j.Sgoodo5 (^DgSgD ' ^gogSoGîi

Ever that man two long apart this town innot live.

Those two men never reside long apart in this town., G$Do5oOG%OD3^ GCOdSsS^^ OjjocBSsgSs J GCOdS Cq) ^5g^G08Cô5oDÎISubsequent ask only bim riding pony my presence give.

day come twoIt was only on a subsequent day that, at his request, two riding

ponies were given him in my presence.11


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APPENDIX I.The grammatical principles explained in the foregoing chapters

will be best illustrated by the analyses of passages taken from someof the o=3c5 (Jatakas) which are widely read by the Burmese peo-ple.

I.G5|8Cg|GCo(8GOOD333lllODGpCtDo8g^^li [g0g3c8oSsODgSoSs00O3o5ll C^tOjTIll

O0DSGCo533@33DS33G^33GpO^GOSGO0S(jj^ll 0^;8SGg[oSs(^33g33I^O^85918OOD QlylsOO^C^il qSs^J (g8&OD55oOo5Gp3SG[5G^GCOGOOOIlclog^4J|i33'^8


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( 84 )King Brahmadat ruled the kingdom of Benares.

13. c^ = Demonstrative Pronoun that.14. 33ol =: Time. See 4.15. CODS = A child, son.16. GooSii An honorific afl&x used in speaking of Buddhas, saints,

royal, and other personages of high rank. oddsgcoB = Aking's son.

17. 3s(8ao is the nominal particle, by prefixing which, anadjective is changed into a noun.

33 + @8 (good) = Big, great, eldest. Op. 33goodSs = sa+ goodSs (good) good.18. 33Di:i Sign of the Dative Case.

19. 33G^=literally means the " house-front ; " an heir-appa-rent, erown prince, stib-king.

20. 33Gp ^= An appointment.21. cîi Sign of the Accusative Case.22. Gos = To give.23. Goo5(j{i; An honorific afiix always affixed to verbs denoting

the action of those described in 16.24. ^11 An abbreviation of q,^\ a connective particle corre-

sponding to the Copulative Conjunction kc? in English.Sometimes it has an illative force.

At that time, (he) conferred tlie appointment of heir-apparenton his eldest son.

25. cîi See 13.26. ^Sg^:i See 19.27. oSs = See 9. aSScgj and aSs are to be construed as one

word meaning an heir-apparent. q6s implies the exer-cise of delegated sovereign authority.

28. (^ji Sign of the Genitive Case.29. 33@t33G^ = 33g + 33G|ii Hcre 33 excrclses a function simi-

lar to that descrbed in 17, i.e., to say, by its being pre-fixed to a verb, that verb is changed into a noun.

@cx)^ or GôD^ means to surround ; s3@33G| means a retinue,following.

30. o^s8S = Enjoyment,


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( 85 )31. qSsoDD = Happiness ; o^sSSqSsooo means, in the present

story, the prosperity derived from one's position.32. ^.gl3 is made up of two vevhal roots : (y^ = to be scatter-

ed, and yls = to increase. QIgTs means, therefore; anincrease of a pervading nature.

33. ooîi A verbal sign denoting the present or the past tense.34. 0^11 See 21.35. oSsgs = The king. See 9 and 17. (Pali: ocoDGpO)D).36. @6 = To see, notice, observe.37. GooSîi See 23.38. cgjSii The gerundial sign, having an adverbial force ; itshould be distinguished from ogiSii a sign of condition-

ality.When the king observed the increasing influence and prosperity

enjoyed by the heir-apparent.39. c6s$?gii literally o8 = an umbrella, Sf%% = a throne; S%Sf%%= kingship. A white umbrella is here referred to. It

is one of the regalia of Burmese royalty.40. c^ji See 28.41. cra^cpoS = danger (Pali: aa^cpco).42. dîi See 21.43. ^8S|5 to be apprehensive of.44. GQoSijîi See 23.45. GooDGg^S = a Telic Conjunction denoting a cause.

He became anxious about the security of his kingship.46. qSooDs = î8 (to love) -f odds (a child, son) : Beloved son !Note that besides 3^ there is no special sign of the Vocative

Case. The bare form of the noun, if it is in the singular,or with the plural sign, c^n if it is in the plural, is usedto express this Case.

47. 035 = Thou, you.48. ooîi See 10.49. gîi See 6.50. 9" Sign of the Ablative Case.51. ooo5 = To go out of, leave, depart from,


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( 86 )52. |ii See 24.53. j.8coo5 = To be pleased.54. Gp = A place; here used in the sense of a E,elative Pro-noun : ^5ooo5Gp33G^5 = j>8cco5oDgS33G[5ii Gp has the force of

indefiniteness.55. 33G|5 = A place.56. 11 See 7.57. G^ = To live, reside, remain.58. GcoGODo GOD + GODoii Either of these particles has the

force of an order or command.My beloved son ! do you leave the kingdom and reside at any

place with which you may be pleased.59. c\ = First Personal Pronoun I.60. cglii See 2. cg$ also means to die, i.e., to pass from one

form of existence to another ; to pass away.61. 911 This particle has the same force as cgSn co^oodco or

oD^saol when ; but it is more intensive than either ofthese.

62. 33^ J = Pamily, race.63. ^\ See 28.64. ggo = Property.65. chi See 59.66. (^ji See 28.67. 33Gg = Patrimony, inheritance.68. @S = The verb to be ; is.69. GODDii See 3.70. ^c8s^,v? Ggi means gold. See 39. Cp. ^pocScocB dur-

ing the reign of a king.71. c^ii See 21,72. %(g^ = To govern, rule. The root g?3 occurs also in

c8S@?sii and conveys the idea of permanency.73. G^Sii This particle denotes that an action is to be per-

formed in the absence of the speaker.When I am dead, take possession of the kingship, which is thepatrimony (left to you) by me and your ancestors.


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( 87 )74. cq denotes the conclusion of a direct narration, and cor-

responds to the last set of inverted commas in English.75. 338| = order 176. GooSa See 16 j A royal order or rescript.77. ^ = To exist. 338|goo5ôo^ = (a king) speaks.78. cgiSii See 38.79. oSsoDDs = A prince. See 9 and 15. Note the absence of

the Genitive sign in oSsoodsh the son of a king.80. oD^s = The Copulative Conjunction and. This word

is used after the second of the two persons mentionedespecially in judicial writings.

81. 338|god5ii See 75 and 76.82. (gc5 = excellent. This word is always used to qualify an

sn8|Goo5ii83. 0^11 See 21.84. gsc85gô52 the head; o85 the top; gô5 to carry on the

head. To bear a royal mandate on the head means toobey it. The modern form of the expression is gso8500 o53o6\o5c^:i

"When (the king) spoke thus, the prince bearing the royalmandate on his head.

85. 1! See 24.86. gggii See 49 and 50.87. coGcxiDoS00 is equivalent to ooS one ; goodoS is the numer-

ative always used when human beings are spoken of.88. oo^s = alone, solitary.89. ogcSii See 51.90. GODGooSii The gerundial sign used in an Adverbial sense.

Departed from the kingdom alone.91. 33og33C^5sii See 29 for the force of the particle saii

ogoD^ = To arrange, to put in order; c^Ssoo^ = tomeasure.

33o5'33c^5sii in due course. Pali; sa^c^Ggîiaaamgoî92. ootj^D = The river Jamna (Pali.)93. @S = A river.


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( 88 )94. oD(^gp=rAn ocean, sea, river ; Pali : oDt^gu Sanskrit : oot^gii

Tlie Burmese form of the word is derived directly fromthe Sanskrit.

95. c^ii Sign of the Plural number.96.


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( 89 )117. G" See 57.118. Goo(îi (i and ccoci are assertive affixes denoting the con-

clusion of a sentence as well as the past tense.Eemained there as a hermit, procuring forest fruit and herbs

and subsisting on them.{Translation of the above passage.)

In times past, King Brahmadat ruled the kingdom of Benares.At the time, (he) conferred the appointment of heir-apparent onhis eldest son. When the king observed the increasing influenceand prosperity enjoyed by the heir-apparent, he became anxiousabout the security of his kingship, and said : " My beloved son

!

do you leave the kingdom and reside wherever you please ; but,when I have passed away, take possession of the kingship, whichis the patrimony (left to you) by me and your ancestors." Whenthe king had spoken thus, the prince, in obedience to the royalbehest, departed from the kingdom alone. In due course, (hearrived) at a valley surrounded by the Jamna and other riversand having prepared a dwelling-place remained there as a, hermit,procuring forest fruit and herbs and subsisting on them.

II.dôcoDscîi o3oc8G38oSsco8s@DscgSii gJoSgooDSGcooc^DsgcSc^t^ j.oqscgSs

(g5s^SgîqGC(^c^(oqio5ii coccc^q5ssj|SscôSii GoTcsnggc^GocôSglcîi ^c(SOOD^^SfSSlI cqgj^C^5G33D8G0îl OCODOo5gCo5ô53COOSI1 330g|c)q|s^GODOGCOdo5|DJGOOQ^81I clcSÔjJOcSSsil 0:joS6gyclolGlG;j]OÔOCX)DSa^330C|{^GOO(illO:jGpSGCODSg OCX)DC3)ÔDq6sCX)îI ^SQo5o|aODo5c^^S OOODSG(yDGCX33^8GgGCoSi^G(X)D33oloil33c8GO0533GCq]3o5ll[3o0GCOGCODO2Dg(gSs(gSl|^CJ0c8oScODGa3DQGoSoySsra:^" coo5(^^s|G[6gSs5>6(^^gDii Gccjj3SsGco5sgii o5soos^gp$iqgsodSCCX)o5(G00Sl^G O0(^ll

(OO0DO)^CO)Dc5gCo5QsO^[)1. o^=that. See I, 13.2. oco3s=a word ; also used in the plural number.3. 0^11 See I, 21.4. ;ôc8g98= Sivalidevi.5. Gcs=A ruler, king. See I, 79.

12


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( 90 )6. co8s=A daughter; also written csiioSscas a Princess. See

1,79.7. @Dg=To hear.8. cgiSii See I, 38.

When Princess Sivalidevi heard those words.9. ^11 Demonstrative Pronoun this. See I, 85.

10. oSsii See I, 5.11. ODDS coDSii oDôDDgii i^coDSii co^p are all contradistmctive

affixes.12. GCX)DO)DS=:GODDo5cq|DSII a UiaU.13. go5=Superior, excellent. See I, 82.14. cû Sign of the Nominative Plural.15. i See I, 118.16. 5.cqgog6?gSs = ^.oqs (the heart) + ogSs (to put inside) +

6gii (sign of the Verbal substantive) ; character, dis-position.

17. 5.5= Sign of the Instrumentative loith.18. %^\(gG (to ^6 filled) + ({ (to be in pair, complete) ; re-

plete with, endowed with, possessed of.19. Goii Affix denoting the admission of, or the acquiescence in,

a statement.20. 411 See I, 118.21. ojii See I, 74. This affix also denotes the self-communing

of a person as in this case. (Pali : gJcBii)"This king is endowed with the disposition of excellent men."22. (^=To intend ; to bear in mind.23. ccjjoSii See I, 116.

Bearing (this) in mind.24. oooo= Again.25. c^=that. See I, 13.26. oSsqjSs=An attendant on a royal personage ; a page.27. 0^11 Sign of the Accusative Case. See I, 21.28. o5=Even, very, same. côSscgSsoSu that very page.29. GoT=To call. The object of the verb is understood.30. cqgs GqiiiGcoDiiggu are signs of order or command ; s in

this instance signifies repetition.


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( 91 )31. aji. See I, 24.32. Go=:To send, commission, depute.33. oô5u Signifies an action whose object is projected as it

were, from the actor. Cp. odgos côSooîi to send aletter.

84. (qii When used as a verb means to return ; and when usedas an affix means to repeat.

35. (^ji See I, 118.The same attendant was again sent (with the order) " call him

agam.36. ^cGooD^ this ; o like ; godd adjectival sign ; like this,such.37. *^s=:Means, way, manner.38. g8 See 1, 108.89. oDs= three )Ar\ roc i.- t three times. Three is a sacred number.40. (cgS=time )41. c^6G33DS=:till (Preposition).42. Goii See II, 32.43. 11 See I, 24.44. o=Sign of negation or prohibition. Op. Pali : odii45. coD=To come.46. cooSgodS.) same as ôoSn godgod5ii See I, 90.When he did not come, though sent for, in this manner, for the

third time.47. î: See II, 36.48. oSs,! See II, 5.49. ooDsii See II, 11.50. sscgl3311 a particle ; og^ to pass,, exceed, surpass : very,

exceedingly.51. a^sGlory, power.52. ^11 See I, 77.53. GC30DII See II, 3.54. GcoDo^^sii See II, 12.55. Goii See II, 19.56. oD^sii This particle is assertive and denotes the conclusion

of a sentence. It differs from (iiiGco^" ^


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( 92 )in

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