Deaf community in Myanmar (Burma)!

Myanmar is one of the countries that I haven’t really heard much about the Deaf communities there. So, I met with some Deaf Burmese there who kindly share about what they’re experiencing! I think it’s just really amazing to learn more stories of diverse Deaf communities across our huge world.
I’m also so thankful for these young amazing men for sharing this out to the world and meeting up with me on such short notice. You can also check out Myanmar Deaf Chefs on Facebook who was mentioned in my video.
For more stories, you can follow me (Deafinitely Wanderlust)!
It's not just my goal to meet the Deaf community in each country, but it is something that I only want to naturally develop a connection with Deaf people around the world, from all different walks of life. China is one of them that I've recently had the privilege to visit and would visit again!
Many images are NOT my own. All belong to the rightful owners.
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[@1996dodgeram1500]

Good job... 👍

[@DeafinitelyWanderlust]

thank you!

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TRANSCRIPT
[Seven Deaf Burmese males are all standing, facing toward the camera]
all men: Myanmar Deaf Community!
[Cut to a series of short clips of Deaf Burmese and Stacey, who is the owner of Deafinitely Wanderlust Facebook page]
[Cut to a sunset scene of Mandalay, Myanmar. Local people are walking on a long wooden bridge. A logo of Deafinitely Wanderlust appeared on the top left of the screen. The logos of Facebook, CZcams and Instagram both appeared on the top right corner of the screen with “@deafinitelywanderlust.” An animated title appeared “Deaf Community in Myanmar” as the white paint spread behind the title. After “Myanmar,” an icon image of Myanmar flag is shown with yellow, green and red stripes. A white star is shown in the center of the flag].
[cut to a brown-skinned Deaf Burmese male. He is wearing greyish black unbuttoned sleeves. On the top right of the screen, a white animated circle appeared with a black text: “Deaf Burmese cannot open and own their bank account until 2015.” On the bottom right, an animated black banner appeared: “Kaung Myat Hein. A local Deaf Burmese.”]
Kaung Myat Hein (KMH): you know the bank?
there was a time before where
cannot open our own bank account.
Before the year of 2011,
all those past years,
we weren't allowed to because
they only allowed us to open an account under
a Hearing person.
with that way, only then we can have a bank account.
After the year of 2015,
the disability association advocated for our rights
and were working on to convince the government
and then finally,
we could open and own our bank account
[cut to a brown-skinned Deaf Burmese male. He is wearing wearing white sleeves. On the top left of the screen, a white animated circle appeared with a black text: “There were lack of job opportunities during the military rule.” On the bottom right, an animated black banner appeared: “Nay Lin Aung. A local Deaf Burmese.”]
Nay Lin Aung (NLA): Right here in Myanmar,
it was under the military rule since 1962
Since 1962, Deaf Burmese were greatly oppressed
in obtaining job opportunities.
it was deemed impossible
Fast forward to years later,
during the year of 2014,
the first job opportunity for Deaf Burmese
that is a huge victory is in Yangon
[On the left side of the screen, a pinkish red image of Myanmar map appeared. A black PINPOINT icon is shown on the bottom center of the Myanmar map. An animated white arrow drew from the map and pointed at white text that says “Yangon” with a red PINPOINT icon next to it.]
the news spread across the city
welcoming Deaf Burmese to work
before, no one would hire a Deaf Burmese.
NO ONE, NOTHING.
for several decades!
The very first kind of job that hires Deaf Burmese is
culinary (to become a Chef).
[On the left side of the screen, an image of a Facebook Post from Myanmar Deaf Chefs. In the Facebook post, the caption says “Applause to them, for their motivation and willingness to succeed.” with two yellow “strong flexed arm” emoji. An image of 3 Deaf Burmese males and 1 Deaf female are smiling at the camera with chef’s light blue hat and uniform]
Job opportunity first started in the kitchen and
then later, there are more kinds of job opportunities,
[On the left side of the screen, another image appeared of 8 Deaf Burmese with chef’s light blue hat and uniform. All are smiling at the camera.]
such as banking,
and different type of jobs, like
[On the left side of the screen, an animated white box with black text and Facebook logo are shown: “Search Myanmar Deaf Chefs on Facebook!”]
like art,
um, there are many different kinds of opportunities now
yes, that's now.
it has been improving as the government is becoming
more accepting of us
Job opportunities haven't spread out nationally yet
it's only mostly happening right here in Yangon
[On the left side of the screen, a pinkish red image of Myanmar map appeared. A black PINPOINT icon is shown on the bottom center of the Myanmar map where Yangon is located. Another bigger black PINPOINT icon appeared on the northern center on the map. An animated white arrow drew from the map and pointed at white text that says “Mandalay” with a red PINPOINT icon next to it]
Yangon is now accepting Deaf employees
The city of Mandalay has not yet but
they will, hopefully, work on that and
and make improvements
[cut to Kaung Myat Hein. On the top right of the screen, a white animated circle appeared with a black text: “Deaf Burmese cannot legally get Driver’s License until 2016.”]
(KMH): Many Deaf Burmese haven't gotten Driver's License yet
the government didn't allow Deaf Burmese to drive
because the government see that we cannot hear
and do not talk
So until recently, they usually bribe
money to get the Driver's license
Starting the year of 2016,
that changed.
The government prohibited bribery
then a new law passed during the year of 2016:
we can legally obtain a Driver's License
[On the top right of the screen, a black animated circle appeared vertically with a white text: “a new law passed: Deaf Burmese can legally drive starting the year of 2016.”]
which is something that we could not before 2016
but the problem is that some officials are not aware
about the new law
[On the top right of the screen, a black animated circle appeared vertically with a white text: “the problem: many government officials do not know about the new law and think that Deaf people still cannot legally drive”]
and they still think that Deaf people are still not allowed
the officials aren't really aware of it
[cut to Nay Lin Aung. On the top right of the screen, a white animated circle appeared with a black text: “There is no official NATIONAL sign language yet.”]
NLA: Here in Myanmar,
we are trying to have one sign language
There are different sign language
in Yangon and Mandalay.
[On the right side of the screen, a pinkish red image of Myanmar map appeared. A black PINPOINT icons are shown where Yangon and Mandalay are located.]
it's different.
it is because
In 1920, a school for the Deaf was
established in Yangon
and then in Mandalay, it was in 1965.
So, the difference is that
[On the top right side of the screen, an icon of the signing hand and a British flag in white, blue and white appeared. An animated white arrow drew from the British flag and pointed toward the white text that says “Mandalay” on the pinkish red Myanmar map. A black PINPOINT icon next to “Myanmar.” Below the white arrow, it says “BSL.”]
The sign language in Mandalay was influenced by
BSL (British Sign Language)
And here in Yangon, it was influenced by
America, which is ASL (American Sign Language)
[On the bottom right side of the screen, an icon of the signing hand and the USA flag appeared. An animated white arrow drew from the USA flag and pointed toward the white text that says “Yangon” on the pinkish red Myanmar map. A black PINPOINT icon next to “Yangon.” Below the white arrow, it says “ASL.”]
actually, before ASL, it focused on Oralism
and then it gradually changed when
people from America (The USA) came to teach ASL
In Yangon and Mandalay, we actually sign the
alphabets differently
In Yangon, we sign the alphabets in ASL way
it looks like this:
(signing "A," "B," "C," in ASL) and so on.
In Mandalay, they use signs from BSL like:
(signing "A," "B," "C," in BSL)
that is what it is like there.
it's different, you see?
Yangon and Mandalay are the two biggest cities
Both are located far apart, north and south.
I don't know much about the smaller cities or villages,
because they are living in rural areas
they don't know about sign language, or
they don't have access to education
there are many small cities and villages
it's harder to find them
they may be oppressed by their parents
or they may be hidden from the public eyes
I don't know much about them.
We did find a few of them but that's it.
There is no official Myanmar Sign Language (MSL) yet
there is no recognition from our government yet
it is because - well, we officially have
sign language but it's still new and basic
it hasn't been fully developed enough yet
because of the linguistics and other professionals
are working on MSL and will gradually add more signs
we will later have more in the future
The Deaf leaders from Mandalay and Yangon
they both met up together to discuss MSL
what could be changed, what signs can be kept from
either sign language from Yangon and Mandalay
They both know what they're doing and
most of the signs between Mandalay and Yangon
are similar and have some difference
they will merge two sign languages into ONE
they have already decided
on the signs for the alphabets
I hope they will merge
both sign languages into one national sign language!
[Cut to both males standing next to each other.]
(NLA:) So what are Deaf Burmese are currently happy about?!
job opportunities!
(KMH:) My goal and hope for our Deaf association to
advocate and manage Deaf education,
employment,
and sports.
I also really hope that they advocate and
include us into the laws.
(both:) because DEAF PEOPLE CAN DO ANYTHING!
YEAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!
(NLA:) bye byee!!!
[cut to NLA’s traditional Burmese garment for lower half of body, like a skirt. NLA is showing how he tied his traditional garment.]
(NLA): This is called Longyi.
[a white text appeared on the center right: “longyi”]
The sign for this is:
(shown: both hands are into fists, twirling one another, as if you’re tying the longyi together on the front center)
The sign of females' longyi is
(shown: his left palm rested on the pelvic, while he used his right hand to “wrap” around.”)
[cut to a light red and white frame appeared along with white text, “follow for more stories” and “@deafinitelywanderlust.” The logo of Instagram, Facebook and CZcams are also shown. On the bottom center, a black text is shown: “www.deafinitelywanderlust.com”]

[@duybach135]

Wow DEAF ỬOLD SDC

[@charleanebailey-lake6513]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@deaf4455]

Hii

[@OtomeEkari]

I think sign language is a beautiful language and am self-learning ASL through online free resources. If anyone knows where i can learn ASL and where i can contribute my volunteering in Myanmar, please let me know.

[@DeafinitelyWanderlust]

CC VOLUNTEERS: If you are interested to translate International Sign or ASL to any language, please feel free! You can create CC via my video yourself or you can send me .SRT file via email ([e-mail]). I’d love Spanish, Korean, Chinese (traditional or simplified), Hindi, etc. Thank you!

[@harrybe533]

I really want to learn ASL sign