Do you know how to pronounce Khmer? It isn't what you think (unless you already know). It is pronounced "K'mai". See, you are learning everyday!
In my very first post, I told you some free resources for learning Khmer available for download or on the Web. Now I'd like to share one that isn't free, but is excellent. I have a copy myself, and I'll be sharing a lot from it. However, I highly recommend that you get a copy for yourself. It is the book Communicating In Khmer. Here is the description:
It is definitely worth purchasing. You can click on the link above to purchase. The cost of the book and the CD-Rom is $50 plus shipping; it is well worth it. Note that the author, Dr. Sak-Humprey, who recognized as the leader of teaching Khmer language, offers online programs through the University of Hawai'i. She is on sabbatical this year, but if you want credit for learning Khmer you could take her courses. Who knows--maybe I will be in that class with you!
Anyway, I hope like me that you have been studying your consonants. I'm not ready to take the leap to the high register consonants or the diacritics yet. Certainly not the vowels! So, take your time and practice. I'm still not perfect on my consonant. But I should give you a little more overview on written Modern Khmer.
It uses the 33 independent consonants as you saw in the last post. It also has twelve independent vowels, which we will learn in the next post. It also uses 31 conjunct or dependent consonants and 16 conjunct or dependent vowels. What this means is the letters change (in more or less recognizable ways) as they are combined with other letters, whether it be consonants or vowels. There are also nine diacritic marks that alter the pronunciation of either vowels or consonants. These diacritics combine with the dependent consonants to form a system consisting then of 44 independent consonants (the 33 and 11 others modified by the diacritics).
In our next lesson, we'll look at the rest of the independent consonants. Then, we move to the vowels, and then we move to the conjunct letters! Once we finish that we will have the basic tools needed for writing Khmer. Then things get really fun as we move on to speaking Khmer so that we can read as well as write!
In my very first post, I told you some free resources for learning Khmer available for download or on the Web. Now I'd like to share one that isn't free, but is excellent. I have a copy myself, and I'll be sharing a lot from it. However, I highly recommend that you get a copy for yourself. It is the book Communicating In Khmer. Here is the description:
DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNICATING IN KHMER: READING & WRITING FOR BEGINNERS
Communicating in Khmer: Reading and Writing for Beginners is a fundamental resource for the acquisition of modern Khmer for learners on all levels. The materials, comprising a book and CD, focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of the reading and writing system of modern spoken Khmer. Once the beginner learns the symbols of the system together with the sounds of language, s/he will have mastered the rudiments of reading Khmer. On the practical side, the learner will follow the materials as they have been systematized: s/he learns to read and write by applying herself/himself to texts and activities of progressive sophistication. The learner who completes the material will be well grounded in modern written Khmer. S/he will be well prepared for the challenge of materials of increasing complication, and will have added a new and invaluable dimension to her/his knowledge of language, literature and culture of this admirable people.
It is definitely worth purchasing. You can click on the link above to purchase. The cost of the book and the CD-Rom is $50 plus shipping; it is well worth it. Note that the author, Dr. Sak-Humprey, who recognized as the leader of teaching Khmer language, offers online programs through the University of Hawai'i. She is on sabbatical this year, but if you want credit for learning Khmer you could take her courses. Who knows--maybe I will be in that class with you!
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| An Old Khmer Inscription--maybe Middle Khmer? |
Writing Khmer
It uses the 33 independent consonants as you saw in the last post. It also has twelve independent vowels, which we will learn in the next post. It also uses 31 conjunct or dependent consonants and 16 conjunct or dependent vowels. What this means is the letters change (in more or less recognizable ways) as they are combined with other letters, whether it be consonants or vowels. There are also nine diacritic marks that alter the pronunciation of either vowels or consonants. These diacritics combine with the dependent consonants to form a system consisting then of 44 independent consonants (the 33 and 11 others modified by the diacritics).
In our next lesson, we'll look at the rest of the independent consonants. Then, we move to the vowels, and then we move to the conjunct letters! Once we finish that we will have the basic tools needed for writing Khmer. Then things get really fun as we move on to speaking Khmer so that we can read as well as write!
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