How good is your Khmer language?

hunter8 · Post by **hunter8** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 11:32 am

Running a short quiz here. Please estimate your knowledge of Khmer. I omitted level C2 which implies an ability to read any kind of literature (fiction, scientific) at a near native level of a local with higher education. If you are C2, please feel free to post about it.

Kung-fu Hillbilly · Post by **Kung-fu Hillbilly** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:05 pm

Where's the "I don't speak or understand a word" option?

hunter8 · Post by **hunter8** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:08 pm

Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:05 pm Where's the "I don't speak or understand a word" option?

No have

Kung-fu Hillbilly · Post by **Kung-fu Hillbilly** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:14 pm

hunter8 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:08 pm
Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:05 pm Where's the "I don't speak or understand a word" option?
No have

I only ask because it's been my experience to meet many expats who live in their adopted country without ever having uttered so much as a local suosdei.

hunter8 · Post by **hunter8** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:20 pm

Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:14 pm
hunter8 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:08 pm
Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:05 pm Where's the "I don't speak or understand a word" option?
No have
I only ask because it's been my experience to meet many expats who live in their adopted country without ever uttering so much as a local suosdei.

They can default to the very first option or skip voting. This poll is a little discriminatory to favor those with at least a slight interest in the Khmer language. But everyone’s opinion is welcome of course.

Doc67 · Post by **Doc67** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:29 pm

Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:14 pm
hunter8 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:08 pm
Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:05 pm Where's the "I don't speak or understand a word" option?
No have
I only ask because it's been my experience to meet many expats who live in their adopted country without ever having uttered so much as a local suosdei.

What does "suosdei" mean?

Bitte_Kein_Lexus · Post by **Bitte_Kein_Lexus** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:35 pm

It's a bit difficult to rate one's own language proficiency. I voted B2 because of the description, but I'd say I'm between B1 and B2 in spoken Khmer and more realistically, B1 overall. I'm basically fluent in most normal conversations (in say, about 90%+ settings), but it can take more effort to understand the news, for example. My vocabulary will be disproportionately strong in some areas because of particular hobbies, but weak in others. Same goes for some foreign friends who also speak. For instance, one guy I know knows most fish names in Khmer because he loves fishing, whereas I know just a few... However, my reading and writing would be at almost zero (basic reading, but I've forgotten most of my writing). The effort-reward ratio for writing is quite low imo.

hunter8 · Post by **hunter8** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:52 pm

Bitte_Kein_Lexus wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:35 pm It's a bit difficult to rate one's own language proficiency. I voted B2 because of the description, but I'd say I'm between B1 and B2 in spoken Khmer and more realistically, B1 overall. I'm basically fluent in most normal conversations (in say, about 90%+ settings), but it can take more effort to understand the news, for example. My vocabulary will be disproportionately strong in some areas because of particular hobbies, but weak in others. Same goes for some foreign friends who also speak. For instance, one guy I know knows most fish names in Khmer because he loves fishing, whereas I know just a few... However, my reading and writing would be at almost zero (basic reading, but I've forgotten most of my writing). The effort-reward ratio for writing is quite low imo.

Yes, it would take to sit a proper test to give an accurate grade. We can approximate here. As for writing, in this age typing a message on a phone or computer equals writing. Could be a not so important skill for many people.

Personally I am illiterate in Khmer, so far I’ve been using latin transcription in my studies. But I understand that to reach my desired level (B2) I must make myself learn the alphabet and start reading.

Please, everyone, share more of your experiences.

Nicolas · Post by **Nicolas** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:15 pm

2009 Me: Ok, first thing first, priority is to learn the language.
2012 Me: Ok, now I’m settled with a partner, I’ll be fluent in a couple of months.
2013 Me: Babies learns so fast! Let’s have a baby and I’ll just follow the learning pace and totally fluent in 36 months.
2015 Me: Give me another baby, the first one is dumb.
2016 Me: Im running an hotel, a restaurant and a bakery. 85 employees are working for me, for sure I’m going to learn fast now.
2019 Me: Still can’t say or understand a short sentence. I know pets who understand Khmer better than me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

explorer · Post by **explorer** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:49 pm

I can talk to Cambodian people about almost anything, and understand what they are saying. However, there are still a lot of words I don't know, particularly words used less often, or words relating to something I am not familiar with. So I am still learning.

I can have a telephone conversation in Khmer. I mention that because on a phone you can't use hand movements and things like that.

If I am with someone who doesn't speak English and they say a word I don't understand, I can ask them what it means, and when they explain the meaning using Khmer, I can usually understand. There are some words I may still need to refer to someone who speaks English, or use a dictionary.

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