What is Southeast Asia?.

A very broad question that has also broad answers but needs
a specific answer. Milton Osborne described it in a manner that everything is well taken cared of,
specially in the written records.The material of history is the written word and with this written
record we base our critiquing. The author is a historian from Australia. His contributions
syntesizes the history of the region as a whole, rather than concentrating on the present history of
each nations.
The term Southeast Asia is a contemporary term in geographical locations because
it was not usual back then and widely used only after the Second World War. It is defined in the
common lexicon as a geographical division of Asia that includes Indochina, the Philippines and
Singapore.
Glorious past dominated many parts of Southeast Asia. Mainly in the mainland,
several great empires and kingdoms existed back then. But then, the colonizers destroyed most of
it. The author gave his cognitive idea about it, including his own observations.
Many westerners of today pictures the whole Southeast Asia as a non-industrialized
region of the world. Mainly, comparing it to the countries of Africa. While it may be a
misconception among them, this creates a border line between the apparent truth and the
falsified. This subjective judgement of many westerners during the age of discovery and
exploration led many misconception about its history. One of the misconception of its history
during the dark ages of Europe is that it is portrayed as a static place. However, the truth is in the
ninth century to fourteenth century, this place is bustling with extensive trade, the rise and fall of
kingdoms and empires and others.
Language is the cognitive process involved in producing and understanding linguistic
communication. Therefore. For those who don't know the language, it is hard to understand as it
is a part of a more complex process. One of the impediments in writing history is language.
Language unknown to historians and researchers becomes a puzzle for them and they become
decipherers. They create their own interpretations and these becomes ou basis. Language is an
aspect of culture that can be most conveniently discussed in order to illustrate the complexity of

the region. What if their interpretation of the language is erroneous? This makes it harder for the
real accounts of a great medieval kingdom to be known. For the author of this book, he stated
that it is usual in Asia to have a very broad language and it is not possible to homogenize them
all. The presence of external forces and other influences such as geographical barriers etc.
summarizes the factors affecting the whole region.
The first chapter is presented in a confusing way. In a manner that you can get a
glimpse of what it is and what will be the next parts of the book. As a historian, Milton Osborne's
introduction to Southeast Asia has defined it well. From the geography up to its diverse culture,
the confusing and jumbled history not seemed to be.
The introductory chapter is broad and comprehensive, thus expanding our horizons
as a history major students. He wants us to widen enough our minds to let us comprehend and
understand the region better. Its history is more confusing than its jumbled present. One of the
most striking features of Milton Osborne is that he changed the perspective many people look at
Southeast Asia.
The author's statement is agreeable that this part of Asia should have its own
geographical, cultural, social, religous and linguistic identity. Wherein these countries cannot be
described as Further China or Further India, the impact of these countries cannot be
dismissed. Geographically, it does not form a single unit but rather two broad geographical
groupings : the mainland and the maritime. Culturally, socially and linguistically, while some
external influences affects the people's way of life, there is several distinct characteristic that can
differentiate Southeast Asia to China and India.
The analogous nature of Southeast Asia that have been just described should not
deterr us to the significant differences that do exist from one place to another, to one group to
another. Indeed, the author raised a question on whether what similarities or difference should be
emphasized, nor the period or region to be marked out. Milton Osborne admitted that these mindboggling statements should be a debatable one.

It is affrrmative that Southeast Asia is a conglomerate of geographical backgrounds.

The contrast between the regions of the region. From the plains of Cambodia to the mountains of
Malaysia and the steep regions of Indonesia to the magnificient mountains of Palawan. It is true
that it is a land of contrasts.
The author's unveiling of Southeast Asia is fine when I found out that there is no
history or whatsoever of the human texture. These origins of man that lived in the earlier millenia
is essential in understanding history. Their culture and way of life can be a basis for students of
history. There is no emphasis on the first humans that lived in the area.

One aspect in many

early civilizations are the crude tools they used for their daily living. He didn't mentioned
anything about it.
Yes it is logical that this part of the book is the most broad, not only sparking interest
in the minds of the readers but also unveiling a glorious history of the region. The contrasts in
character of each country is described in it. His discussions on the contemporary problems of
every country is explicitly implied.
Social contrasts is one of the dilemnas in the Southeast Asian region. There is a
demarkation line among the rich and poor, the indigenous people and the educated people. Yes, I
agree with Osborne's observation of the region.
Despite being a very short introduction of Southeast Asian history, the chapter has
been succesful in introduction on what is Southeast Asia. From the facts presented, the
consiousness of Southeast Asia's history furnishes an apprehension into the culture of a large and
captivating part of the mankind. Its glorious historical past deserves a more better understanding
and study that it has not yet received. Today, in an era where information is bountiful to
everyone, we should promote the better understanding of the regions. To promote in which the
background will be highlighted to what is the true cultural and historical beginnings of this great
region of the world.

B I B L I O G R A P H Y

Cady, J.F., (1964)

Southeast Asia: Its Historical Development.
United States of America: Mc Graw-Hill, Inc.
Church. P., (2006)
A Short History of Southeast Asia .
Singapore: John Wiley & Sons
Harrison, B., (1963).
Southeast Asia A Short History. New York: Mcmillan
Marr, D. G., et al. (1986)
Southeast Asia in the 9th to 14th Centuries. Singapore:
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and Research School of Pacific Studies.
Osborne, M., (1989).
Southeast Asia: An Illustrated Introductory History.
Canberra, Australia: Allen and Unwin
Williams, L.E., (1976)
Southeast Asia: A History. New York: Oxford University Press

R i v e r a , L l o y d C h r i s t i a n e P.
IHST