Introducing to khmer language, Being an expat in Cambodia
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Re: Introducing to khmer language, Being an expat in Cambodi
Your anecdotal evidence of how you approach talking to people bears no relevance on the ability to understand a culture without learning the language. Many cultural experts can't speak the language of the cultures they study. It is quite easy to assert that most people say one thing and then do another. If you observe people, you are much more likely to get an accurate read on a culture than if you ask people to explain it to you.starkmonster wrote:No you can't, it's not even close. Language is part of culture, when speaking in a foreign language we tend to avoid sensitive subjects because we are worried that we will make a mistake and our intentions or opinions will be misunderstood or cause offense.TheGrinchSR wrote:You can learn as much of the culture by speaking to a local in your language as you can in his/her language.
When speaking Khmer I duck sensitive subjects that I would have no qualms discussing in English. Cambodians and Asians in general are way more sensitive about causing offence than we are, so will stick to safe subjects, when you speak to them in their own language it's a different story.
And in my experience, there are few sensitive subjects between friends. People who speak good English can explain just about anything in the language.
"If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever." - George Orwell
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Re: Introducing to khmer language, Being an expat in Cambodi
tbh there has been a fair few times when i try and ask some of my khmer friends stuff and theyve replied with the phrase "i dont know how to say in english" whether it be a certain food dish or some ritual they are doing, my khmer friends much prefer speaking to me in khmer than they do english
Mean Dtuk Mean Trei, Mean Loy Mean Srey
Punchy McShortstacks School of Hard Knocks
Punchy McShortstacks School of Hard Knocks
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Re: Introducing to khmer language, Being an expat in Cambodi
Bingo. If you can't understand the language there are many things you can't personally experience within the culture. The power of songs, subtle humor, taboo subjects, human interactions.TheGrinchSR wrote:People who speak good English can explain just about anything in the language.
Someone else can experience those things and then explain them to you, but you haven't directly experienced them yourself. Who do you think has a better idea what prohok tastes like, someone who's eaten it or someone who's had the taste explained to them? Can you really feel the emotion of a song by having the lyrics explained to you without listening and understanding them with your own ear?
Re: Introducing to khmer language, Being an expat in Cambodi
Jamie, i think the way you learn khmer is just like the way i learn English. i learn more English via interaction with native speakers. I like talking to them in idioms, colloquial and expression. I know it is not necessary or useful for work, but i like them. There was a thread (Khmer Idiom) i hope you can learn more.Jamie_Lambo wrote:tbh there has been a fair few times when i try and ask some of my khmer friends stuff and theyve replied with the phrase "i dont know how to say in english" whether it be a certain food dish or some ritual they are doing, my khmer friends much prefer speaking to me in khmer than they do english
បើសិនធ្វើចេះ ចេះឲ្យគេកោត បើសិនធ្វើឆោត ឆោតឲ្យគេអាណិត។
If you know a lot, know enough to make them respect you, if you are stupid, be stupid enough so they can pity you.
If you know a lot, know enough to make them respect you, if you are stupid, be stupid enough so they can pity you.
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Re: Introducing to khmer language, Being an expat in Cambodi
yeah for sure,Samouth wrote:Jamie, i think the way you learn khmer is just like the way i learn English. i learn more English via interaction with native speakers. I like talking to them in idioms, colloquial and expression. I know it is not necessary or useful for work, but i like them. There was a thread (Khmer Idiom) i hope you can learn more.Jamie_Lambo wrote:tbh there has been a fair few times when i try and ask some of my khmer friends stuff and theyve replied with the phrase "i dont know how to say in english" whether it be a certain food dish or some ritual they are doing, my khmer friends much prefer speaking to me in khmer than they do english
you have a link to the idioms?
Mean Dtuk Mean Trei, Mean Loy Mean Srey
Punchy McShortstacks School of Hard Knocks
Punchy McShortstacks School of Hard Knocks
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Re: Introducing to khmer language, Being an expat in Cambodi
Learn how to read and write! It does wonders for pronunciation. I also want to encourage folks who are here for the long haul to become fluent in Khmer. I believe it shows a level of respect and it's honoring to the Khmer people if you take the time to learn their language.
For me, one of the main reasons I'm studying my ass off is because I want to really be able to speak, at a heart level, to a Cambodian. I don't want to just chit chat. I want to speak about life and build a relationships that can be genuine, deep and meaningful. It helps if you can truly communicate, right? I don't want to be dependent on a translator as my "conduit".
On another note, which I just posted about -- has anyone had experience with Gateway 2 Khmer?
For me, one of the main reasons I'm studying my ass off is because I want to really be able to speak, at a heart level, to a Cambodian. I don't want to just chit chat. I want to speak about life and build a relationships that can be genuine, deep and meaningful. It helps if you can truly communicate, right? I don't want to be dependent on a translator as my "conduit".
On another note, which I just posted about -- has anyone had experience with Gateway 2 Khmer?
Re: Introducing to khmer language, Being an expat in Cambodi
Here you go JamieJamie_Lambo wrote:yeah for sure,Samouth wrote:Jamie, i think the way you learn khmer is just like the way i learn English. i learn more English via interaction with native speakers. I like talking to them in idioms, colloquial and expression. I know it is not necessary or useful for work, but i like them. There was a thread (Khmer Idiom) i hope you can learn more.Jamie_Lambo wrote:tbh there has been a fair few times when i try and ask some of my khmer friends stuff and theyve replied with the phrase "i dont know how to say in english" whether it be a certain food dish or some ritual they are doing, my khmer friends much prefer speaking to me in khmer than they do english
you have a link to the idioms?
https://cambodiaexpatsonline.com/post634 ... eck#p63416
https://cambodiaexpatsonline.com/khmer-l ... er%20idiom
បើសិនធ្វើចេះ ចេះឲ្យគេកោត បើសិនធ្វើឆោត ឆោតឲ្យគេអាណិត។
If you know a lot, know enough to make them respect you, if you are stupid, be stupid enough so they can pity you.
If you know a lot, know enough to make them respect you, if you are stupid, be stupid enough so they can pity you.
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