''Ana'' ( my, အားနာမှု) is a
Burmese cultural and
social value that has no English equivalent and is manifested by very strong inhibitions (hesitation, reluctance, restraint, or avoidance) against asserting oneself in human relations based on the fear that it will offend someone or cause someone to
lose face, or become embarrassed, or be of inconvenience. ''Ana'' also involves a strong sense of consideration for others' feelings and a desire not to cause them to feel psychological distress, unease, or burden.
''Ana'' significantly shapes interpersonal relationships and pervades everyday social interactions, as well as political and social behaviors in Burmese society.
Comparable values are found throughout Asian societies, including in Thailand, where it is called ''kreng jai'' () and in Japan, where it is called ''enryo'' ().
Etymology
''Ana'' literally means to have one's strength () hurt ().
''Ana-pana'' () is synonymous to ''ana'', with the suffix ''pana'' (, lit. "cheek hurts."
The term ''anade'' () is a sentence describing one's feeling of ''ana''. The term ''ana'' has been borrowed into several regional languages, including into
Shan as and into
Jingpho as .
Usage
''Ana'' typically informs interactions with strangers, acquaintances, elders, social superiors and other respected persons, not with immediate family members and close friends.
''Ana'' is most commonly felt as self-restraint on self-assertiveness, requiring another's best interests to take priority over one's own interests.
In fact, ''ana'' contributes to a strong sense of hierarchy and inequality within
social relations
A social relation or also described as a social interaction or social experience is the fundamental unit of analysis within the social sciences, and describes any voluntary or involuntary interpersonal relationship between two or more individuals ...
, as frankness and directness is considered aggressive or confrontational behavior.
The value involves an unwillingness to prevent others from feeling uncomfortable.
The feeling is also applied to situations when one wishes to behave in a certain manner but is restrained from doing so, for fear of causing the other party to feel angry, embarrassed or disappointed.
Elements
The major elements of ''ana'' include the following:
Examples
This social value is exemplified in many everyday situations, including the following examples:
*A person may hesitate to tell family members of his/her illness, for fear of causing them worry.
*A speaker may intentionally omit controversial points, to prevent an audience from taking offense.
*A guest may restrain himself from telling the host that he is hungry, for fear of burdening the host.
*A recipient may reject gift givers' presents, for fear of having burdened them.
*A parent may avoid asking his child to take him to the hospital, to display consideration.
References
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See also
*
Face (sociological concept)
Face is a class of behaviors and customs practiced mainly in Asian cultures, associated with the morality, honor, and authority of an individual (or group of individuals), and its image in social groups.
Face refers to a sociological concept in ...
Burmese culture
Human communication
Burmese words and phrases