Hla Pe
Encyclopedia
Dr. Hla Pe was a foremost Burmese language
linguist and a longtime contributor to the Burmese–English Dictionary. He was professor of Burmese language and culture at the University of London
from 1966 to 1980.
. In 1944 he obtained his doctorate in Burmese at the University of London's School of Oriental Studies (later renamed the School of Oriental and African Studies
).
Burmese. At the same time he was an assistant editor of the Burmese–English Dictionary. He became an associate editor of the dictionary in 1948. He devoted forty years to writing the dictionary.
Professor Hla Pe taught Burmese language and culture at SOAS from 1948 and was Professor of Burmese at SOAS from 1966 until his retirement in 1980. He returned to Burma after his retirement and settled down in Mawlamyaing with his wife Than Mya. On his return he brought back to Burma his lifelong collection of books, said to be worth about 50,000 USD, for donation to Burmese university libraries. Considered one of the most prominent Burmese scholars and one of the founders of Burma Studies, he has written numerous academic articles for Burma journals and published many books in English and Burmese during his academic career which only ended when he died aged 94.
In Burmese
Burmese language
The Burmese language is the official language of Burma. Although the constitution officially recognizes it as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese. Burmese is the native language of the Bamar and related sub-ethnic groups of the Bamar, as well as...
linguist and a longtime contributor to the Burmese–English Dictionary. He was professor of Burmese language and culture at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
from 1966 to 1980.
Early life
He was born in Kha-ye village near Mawlamyaing, British Burma, where he was brought up by four spinster aunts. The son of a Burmese traditional doctor, he had his early education in the village monastery. He then studied at government high school. After high school, he went to Rangoon University and earned an MA in Burmese in 1938. He was selected for a state scholarship for further studies in London the same year. In 1939, he got a Diploma in Education from the Institute of Education, University of LondonUniversity of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. In 1944 he obtained his doctorate in Burmese at the University of London's School of Oriental Studies (later renamed the School of Oriental and African Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
).
Career
From 1942 to 1946 he was the news broadcaster, translator and commentator with the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Burmese. At the same time he was an assistant editor of the Burmese–English Dictionary. He became an associate editor of the dictionary in 1948. He devoted forty years to writing the dictionary.
Professor Hla Pe taught Burmese language and culture at SOAS from 1948 and was Professor of Burmese at SOAS from 1966 until his retirement in 1980. He returned to Burma after his retirement and settled down in Mawlamyaing with his wife Than Mya. On his return he brought back to Burma his lifelong collection of books, said to be worth about 50,000 USD, for donation to Burmese university libraries. Considered one of the most prominent Burmese scholars and one of the founders of Burma Studies, he has written numerous academic articles for Burma journals and published many books in English and Burmese during his academic career which only ended when he died aged 94.
Selected works
- A Burmese-English Dictionary (Part 1 to Part 6) six volumes published from 1941 to 1981 by SOAS (jointly with J.A. StewartJohn Alexander Stewart (scholar)John Alexander Stewart CIE MC MA LLD ICS was a classical scholar, colonial public servant and professor of Burmese.Stewart was born in Strichen, Aberdeenshire Scotland and educated at the University of Aberdeen where he graduated with first-class honours in classics in 1903. He passed the Indian...
, C.W.Dunn, H.F. Searle, A.J. Allott, J.W.A. Okell) - Burmese Proverbs (London 1962)
- Konmara Pya Zat (Vol. 1 Introduction and Translation) London 1952
- Manual of Colloquial Burmese (by J.A. Stewart (co-editor with H.F. Searle) 1955
In Burmese
- The Myanmar Buddhist: His Life from the Cradle to the Grave (translated by Dr. Tin Hlaing) Daung Books Rangoon 2000