The Role of the Interpreter Within the Burmese Community

Presented By

Mona Myat Mon

Geographically located East of India & Bangladesh, West of Thailand & Laos & China to the North and North of the Andaman

Sea & Bay of Bengal.

With a population of approximately 54.6 million Burma (Myanmar) retains a diverse

mixture of cultures with 135 officially recognized ethnic groups according to

2012 CIA figures. Burmese is the primary language in all manners of health,

education, government & commerce.

Ethnic Composition

Burman (Bama) 68%Shan 9%Karen 7% Kachin 1.5% Kayah (Karreni) 0.75%Rakhine 3.5%Mon 2.4%Chinese 2.5%Chin 1%Indian 1.25%Other 4.5%

Religious Composition

Buddhist 89%Christian 4%Islam 4%Hindu 1%Other 2%

Burma is Divided into Seven Divisions and Seven Ethnic States.

Divisions: Sagaing, Mandalay,

Magwe, Pegu, Irrawaddy, Rangoon,

Tenasserim

Ethnic States: Chin, Kachin, Shan, Karen,

Karenni, Mon, Arakan

With a wealth of ancient history & folklore since at least the 9th century

Burma is steeped in tradition and mysticism that is uniquely Burmese. Predominantly Buddhist; Hindu also offers cultural accents to this ancient

people.

Christianity, Islam and other faiths contribute to the culture as well but

face challenges from religious inequities and ongoing persecution.

Interpreting within the Burmese community is a multifaceted challenge with regard to the diversity of cultures the interpreter encounters.

The interpreter must also possess a very real command of the English and Burmese language & culture in order to best serve the client and the provider. If not, this could lead to potentially dire consequences from misconceptions, misdiagnosis and inaccurate instructions for prescription drugs and procedures.

The provider must rely on the professional interpreter’s accuracy of interpretation as much as the client to insure the best medical care possible.

According to 2010 US Census figures there were approximately 4272 Burmese refugees residing within the DFW area. This figure may be much larger since many refugees avoid contact with authority figures and distrust people who ask too many questions as in the case of census takers.

The recent influx of Burmese refugees from between 2010 till 2012 has also increased this population substantially but figures vary drastically from one agency to another.

List of Challenges

• Language • Accuracy in Interpretation• Education • Assimilation• Dress Code & Hygiene• Use of Modern Conveniences • Use of Public Transportation • Laws & Municipal Regulations • Civil & Human Rights• Employment

• Social Issue • Spousal/Child Abuse • Alcohol/Drug Abuse• Physical & Mental Health Issues• Infectious Diseases & Exposure • Grief & Anger Management• Depression, Suicide, PTSD• Prenatal/Postnatal Care• Early Child Development• Planned Parenthood

Karen Refugees & Victims of LandminesPhotos by Karen Human Rights Group