myna
LowFormal, Technical (Ornithology), Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A tropical Asian starling, typically with dark plumage and a yellow bill, known for its ability to mimic human speech.
Specifically refers to birds of the genus Acridotheres or Gracula, often introduced to other regions, sometimes considered a pest. Can be used metaphorically for someone who parrots or repeats words without understanding.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary reference is ornithological. The metaphorical use ('like a myna bird') exists but is less common and understood contextually.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English also commonly uses 'mynah'. American English strongly prefers 'myna'.
Connotations
Identical. Both refer to the same bird with the same characteristics.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects. More likely encountered in nature documentaries, bird-watching contexts, or literature set in Asia.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[ADJ] mynamyna [VERB]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He just repeats the slogans like a trained myna bird.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biological/zoological texts concerning invasive species or avian vocal learning.
Everyday
Used when discussing pets, birds, or travel to Asia. 'I saw a myna in the garden.'
Technical
Specific use in ornithology for species identification and behavioural studies.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bird did not myna a single word.
- It was mynaing the telephone ring.
American English
- The bird didn't myna a single word.
- It was mynaing the phone ring.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no adverb form exists)
American English
- (Not standard; no adverb form exists)
adjective
British English
- She has a myna-like ability to mimic accents.
- The myna population is increasing.
American English
- She has a myna-like ability to mimic accents.
- The myna population is increasing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I saw a black bird with a yellow beak. It was a myna.
- The myna bird can talk.
- The common myna is an invasive species in many countries.
- My grandfather kept a talking myna as a pet.
- The myna's remarkable vocal mimicry has made it a subject of several behavioural studies.
- Efforts to control the introduced myna population have had mixed success.
- Critics accused the politician of being little more than a myna bird, parroting the party line without independent thought.
- The study compared the synaptic plasticity in the avian brains of mynas and parrots.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MYNA Mimics Your Noises Amazingly.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MYNA IS A PARROT (source domain: parrot, for mimicry without understanding).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'майна' (a construction term) or 'мина' (a mine). The Russian ornithological term is 'майна' (Acridotheres tristis).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect spelling: 'mina', 'minah', 'miner'. Confusion with 'miner' (coal worker).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most distinctive characteristic of a myna bird?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are from completely different bird families. Mynas are starlings (Sturnidae), while parrots are Psittaciformes. Both are known for vocal mimicry.
Both are correct. 'Myna' is more common in American English, while 'mynah' is an accepted variant, particularly in British English.
They can be, due to their intelligence and talking ability, but they are noisy, require significant space and social interaction, and their ownership may be restricted as they are invasive in many areas.
In regions where they have been introduced (like Australia, New Zealand, Israel), they outcompete native birds for nesting sites, damage fruit crops, and create noise and mess, leading to their classification as an invasive pest species.