The goal of Cambodian conversation

Samouth · Post by **Samouth** » Sun May 24, 2015 8:51 pm

taabarang wrote:I found the following quote in PARLER le Cambodian/COMPRENDRE le Cambodge.

Dans une conversation, le Khmer n'a pas peur du silence et peut rester de longs moments sans rien dire, sans que son interlocuteur ne parle non plus. Son silence ne signifie pas une gene, mais mais le bonheur d'etre avec autrui. Dans une reunion, ce qui restera comme souvenir, sera plus l'ambiance generale que le contenu intellectuel de l'echange.

In a conversation the Cambodian is not afraid of silence and and remain for a long time without saying anything without his questioner speaking either. His silence does not mean an embarrassment, but the happiness of being with others. In a meeting the memory that will remain is the general mood rather than the intellectual content of the exchange.

Well, I agree with this observation and while I enjoy the mutual affirmation of friendship, I do wish intellectual content played a bigger role. Cambodians, even uneducated ones, have much to offer if only they would unyoke themselves from the constraints of their outmoded cultural values. In addition, face saving puts too much of a value of non offensive lies than on truth that offends.

I think this statement can be applied to some Cambodians, but not all. If you were talking to me, you would find me so talkative. I think it depends of what type of Cambodian you are talking too. I agree that most of Cambodians are not good in holding conversation. They don't know how to express their ideas. They actually have ideas to share, but they just don't know how to get them out of their mouths. In addition, the knowledge on various topics. We don't really learn about the world, so no doubt we don't know much about it. If you are knowledgeable on various topics and general knowledge, you will afraid to talk or make a conversation with people, as you are confident that you will have something to talk or share about. On fact about the majority of Cambodians, we are not good in debate. At school, we don't learn about debate until at university.

taabarang · Post by **taabarang** » Mon May 25, 2015 12:33 pm

It's not a matter of holding a conversation or much less debating; it is about exchanging information of mutual interest. Most Cambodians see it as a chance to bond either at a personal level or a cultural one. As for cultural one how many times have I heard one say, "Khmer yoeung..."

Samouth · Post by **Samouth** » Mon May 25, 2015 1:03 pm

taabarang wrote:It's not a matter of holding a conversation or much less debating; it is about exchanging information of mutual interest. Most Cambodians see it as a chance to bond either at a personal level or a cultural one. As for cultural one how many times have I heard one say, "Khmer yoeung..."

This is so true, but only apply to those who are living in rural areas. Lok Taa you are exposing too much with rural young Cambodians who might have never once come to PP.

taabarang · Post by **taabarang** » Mon May 25, 2015 1:10 pm

"This is so true, but only apply to those who are living in rural areas. Lok Taa you are exposing too much with rural young Cambodians who might have never once come to PP."

I had to laugh your sentence suggests that I am showing too much of my body (exposing too much) to young Cambodians. Actually, I'm forthright, but a bit too modest for that. In any case since I'm 71 I usually talk with adults or my wife.

Samouth · Post by **Samouth** » Mon May 25, 2015 1:15 pm

taabarang wrote:"This is so true, but only apply to those who are living in rural areas. Lok Taa you are exposing too much with rural young Cambodians who might have never once come to PP."

I had to laugh your sentence suggests that I am showing too much of my body (exposing too much) to young Cambodians. Actually, I'm forthright, but a bit too modest for that. In any case since I'm 71 I usually talk with adults or my wife.

To expose yourself or someone in something, doesn't it means to experience in something ?

taabarang · Post by **taabarang** » Mon May 25, 2015 3:38 pm

The first meaning of expose is to reveal that which is hidden as in a magazine exposee(from the French). But if you expose yourself to people, especially younger ones, it has a sexual innuendo. I would avoid the possible misunderstanding by using the formal "associate with S.b. or the informal to hang out with s.b. And since you like grammar I would put it in the past perfect continuous tense, not the present continuous although it is certainly acceptable, if not preferable to the former.

Anchor Moy · Post by **Anchor Moy** » Mon May 25, 2015 7:22 pm

LOL. Sorry Samouth, but your mistake is really funny. Never mind.
Innuendo has to do with word patterns Samouth, and the two words together "exposing yourself" has sexual connotations for westerners.
(If you don't know what connotation means then look it up; it's an important part of translation.)
Anyway, I guess you won't "expose yourself" like that again ?

(Ok, this time it's a play on words and "expose yourself" means put yourself in an embarassing situation.)
Live and learn.

Samouth · Post by **Samouth** » Mon May 25, 2015 7:29 pm

Anchor Moy wrote:LOL. Sorry Samouth, but your mistake is really funny. Never mind.
Innuendo has to do with word patterns Samouth, and the two words together "exposing yourself" has sexual connotations for westerners.
(If you don't know what connotation means then look it up; it's an important part of translation.)
Anyway, I guess you won't "expose yourself" like that again ?
(Ok, this time it's a play on words and "expose yourself" means put yourself in an embarassing situation.)
Live and learn.

i do know the word connotation.

so ashamed.

Anchor Moy · Post by **Anchor Moy** » Mon May 25, 2015 8:10 pm

Samouth wrote:
Anchor Moy wrote:LOL. Sorry Samouth, but your mistake is really funny. Never mind.
Innuendo has to do with word patterns Samouth, and the two words together "exposing yourself" has sexual connotations for westerners.
(If you don't know what connotation means then look it up; it's an important part of translation.)
Anyway, I guess you won't "expose yourself" like that again ?
(Ok, this time it's a play on words and "expose yourself" means put yourself in an embarassing situation.)
Live and learn.
i do know the word connotation. so ashamed.

Now now, I thought you weren't into "face".

Mistakes are just learning situations.

Samouth · Post by **Samouth** » Mon May 25, 2015 11:46 pm

Anchor Moy wrote:
Samouth wrote:
Anchor Moy wrote:LOL. Sorry Samouth, but your mistake is really funny. Never mind.
Innuendo has to do with word patterns Samouth, and the two words together "exposing yourself" has sexual connotations for westerners.
(If you don't know what connotation means then look it up; it's an important part of translation.)
Anyway, I guess you won't "expose yourself" like that again ?
(Ok, this time it's a play on words and "expose yourself" means put yourself in an embarassing situation.)
Live and learn.
i do know the word connotation. so ashamed.
Now now, I thought you weren't into "face".
Mistakes are just learning situations.

I am not. I was into face saving, I would have erased my post.

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