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 Landmines Photos by Karen Human Rights Group