This week I spoke with Vung Dim of the Bowing Green International Center. My interview with Dim focused on gaining more information about why Burmese refugees particularly settle in Bowling Green, and why they choose to live in the Lover’s Lane apartment complex. I also gained some insight into how diverse language is within Burma, as not everyone from Burma speaks Burmese.
When she lived in Texas, Dim volunteered as a translator and interpreter for people from Burma. She decided she wanted to go into this as a job.
Currently at her job at the Bowling Green International Center, Dim works as a scheduler while helping out with translation and interpreting as needed.
One thing that Dim wanted to get across in our discussion was that not everyone from Burma speaks the same language.
“Not everyone speak Burmese,” said Dim. “They have their own language and dialect.”
Burma is very diverse in terms of the languages people speak. One of the things Dim does is decide which language someone speaks based on their name. “I am Zo,” said Dim. “I belong to Chin.” Zomi is a language within Chin, which is a group of people who live within Burma.
Burma gained its named from the Burmese who make up the majority in Burma. Although many minorities live within Burma the name stuck over time.
“We cannot just change,” said Dim. “We cannot change it easily.”
When I asked Dim about why Burmese refugees choose to settle in the Lover’s Lane apartments she had the following to say.
Burmese refugees, just like everyone else, seek out people like them, because community is so important in our lives.
Refugee Refuge 