kps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 7:58 pm

explorer wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 7:44 pm It is up to everyone to decide for themselves how they go about learning Khmer.

For Thai I would absolutely say you should learn one phonetic system well and use that for the first year(s) while you learn the alphabet.

I will definitely use phonetic for Khmer while I explore the alphabet. There doesn't seem to be a standard.

Number one for me is to get "fluency" in some limited environments, like the noodle shop and the hotel reception. And then build from there.

I know many think differently but I believe it is enough to start with a level of pronounciation that is not perfect but locals can understand without problem.

You will improve pronounciation as you get more and more fluency and can communicate with locals. Starting with very high demands on pronounciation holds you back, I strongly believe.

"Everything I can say, I can pronounce perfectly and write in Khmer" will mean you can not say very much the first year, imho.

explorer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 3:28 am
The most commonly used phonetic writing for Khmer comes from the French. If you know how to pronounce it the French way, it may be reasonable, but not 100% correct.

Kammekor wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 6:05 pm Ask any person speaking French without the ability to speak Khmer to pronounce a random Romanized Khmer sentence and it's just bubbly-bubbly-bla and nothing like Khmer.

explorer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 6:54 pm

Kammekor wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 6:05 pm Ask any person speaking French without the ability to speak Khmer to pronounce a random Romanized Khmer sentence and it's just bubbly-bubbly-bla and nothing like Khmer.

If a person speaking English does it, it is even worse.

explorer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 3:28 am The most commonly used phonetic writing for Khmer comes from the French. If you know how to pronounce it the French way, it may be reasonable, but not 100% correct

Kammekor wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 9:56 am

explorer wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 8:45 am

Kammekor wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 8:24 am you should ask Explorer for the number of some uni students.

I have introduced foreigners to my Cambodian friends. But only people I know, who have a decent attitude.

I actually introduced university students to a foreigner recently so they could teach him English.

I do not give details over the internet to people I dont know.

Most Cambodians are friendly. It is easy to make friends with them.

Great ethics in action. I nearly passed the phone number of one of my friend on to do some written translations, but I will give it second thoughts.

explorer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 7:19 pm I have always recommended that people learn the Khmer alphabet fairly early on. Other people have advised not to in the early stages. People choosing not to learn the Khmer alphabet, should realize that the phonetic writing is not an accurate guide to pronunciation, and should focus on how Cambodians pronounce the words.

kps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 7:41 pm

explorer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 7:19 pm I have always recommended that people learn the Khmer alphabet fairly early on. Other people have advised not to in the early stages. People choosing not to learn the Khmer alphabet, should realize that the phonetic writing is not an accurate guide to pronunciation, and should focus on how Cambodians pronounce the words.

I don't know Khmer so I am just asking. Is there really a fail-safe way to go from Khmer script to pronounciation? I.e at least 99% of the words can be read correctly.

My guess is, for example in English it would be impossible. There are no rules to find out how to pronounce "enough", "thought", "island" etc etc

I just tried to learn "garlic" from Google translate. The phonetic came out completely unexpected. But I can't read the Khmer script.

Can anyone read this and get a proper pronounciation?
ខ្ទឹមស

explorer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 7:19 pm I have always recommended that people learn the Khmer alphabet fairly early on. Other people have advised not to in the early stages. People choosing not to learn the Khmer alphabet, should realize that the phonetic writing is not an accurate guide to pronunciation, and should focus on how Cambodians pronounce the words.

Kammekor wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 7:52 pm

kps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 7:41 pm

explorer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 7:19 pm I have always recommended that people learn the Khmer alphabet fairly early on. Other people have advised not to in the early stages. People choosing not to learn the Khmer alphabet, should realize that the phonetic writing is not an accurate guide to pronunciation, and should focus on how Cambodians pronounce the words.

I don't know Khmer so I am just asking. Is there really a fail-safe way to go from Khmer script to pronounciation? I.e at least 99% of the words can be read correctly.

My guess is, for example in English it would be impossible. There are no rules to find out how to pronounce "enough", "thought", "island" etc etc

I just tried to learn "garlic" from Google translate. The phonetic came out completely unexpected. But I can't read the Khmer script.

Can anyone read this and get a proper pronounciation?
ខ្ទឹមស

I would say k'tim. The i as in the English word is.