Youths writing Khmer words in Latin should not be normalised
KT: What do you think is the main reason for Cambodians using the English alphabet to write in Khmer?
Meng: The fact that young Cambodian students are writing Khmer words in Latin shows that they are having problems with their Khmer writing. This is due to students not reading enough Khmer script. Disagreements over Khmer grammar also cause problems for learners, but the National Language Institute and the National Council for the Khmer Language of the Royal Academy of Cambodia are working hard to develop our language and writing.
KT: Do you think that learning English has influenced students to write Khmer words in that alphabet, asides from failing to read and write Khmer?
Meng: In order to have the ability to learn a foreign language, you must first have a strong grasp of your national language. If you are having problems with your native language, your foreign language learning will be also limited. Learning a foreign language is a bridge for spreading the national language, national culture, and promoting what is national.
KT: Do you think this kind of writing will impact Khmer script?
Meng: Most young people think Khmer is difficult to learn. They should know that France wanted all Cambodians to use Latin and erase the Khmer script during the French colonial era in the 1940s, which started the umbrella war. The monks protested strongly against the French and eventually succeeded in preserving Khmer script to this day. It seems that young people do not know about the pride behind the Khmer language.
KT: Can we describe this trend as an evolution in our writing system?
Meng: This kind of writing is not an evolution. It is because young people do not pay attention to their national language. They do not try to study their writing skills, and why? Because they think that the Khmer script is too hard to learn, and it is easier to write in Latin. Is this because Khmer script is difficult to learn? No, it is not. This is a result of young people not wanting to read and write in Khmer.
KT: For you as a language researcher and a professor of language, what do you believe is an acceptable solution to this problem?
Meng: I think we should promote further education on national language, and create a Khmer language proficiency test for graduate students before they can join the government or a private company. It is necessary to have this test in order to uphold the prestige of the Khmer language and to motivate the masses to engage with Khmer script.
KT: What suggestions do you have for students and intellectuals who continue to write like this?
Meng: Usually when students finish 12th grade they should know how to write in Khmer, so why don’t they? They don’t like reading, they are failing to read, and they are not used to writing Khmer letters. Therefore, we must encourage them to read and prepare for the Khmer language proficiency test. The Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture also holds an annual reading event to encourage reading and writing.
