A Linguistic Renaissance: Young Cambodians Lead the Way

Photo shows Royal University of Phnom Penh. Photo Song Sotheavy

PHNOM PENH— For decades, young Cambodians have shown little interest in Khmer literature, sparking worries about their language skills. But a new generation of young Cambodians is now embracing Khmer language and literature. These passionate youths are eager to improve their skills and even aspire to become language teachers, ensuring that future generations will remain fluent in their heritage language.

Among them are Chea Sophea, Kong Somphors, and Min Fanita, who hope to raise human resources in Khmer-related fields such as Khmer literature, literary arts, poetry, and authors. They want to contribute to fostering national pride and development in national language studies. 

Kong Somphors, student at at Regional Teacher Training Center (RTTC) in Kampong Cham province. Photo providedjpg

Role of Khmer language teacher 

“It's true that many Khmer speakers struggle with grammar or correct word usage, which emphasizes the need for formal education and resources that improve language skills. The role of well-trained Khmer teachers will be essential in keeping the language alive,” said Chea Sophea.

Sophea, previously a Khmer literature student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, passed the national exam to become a Khmer language teacher for secondary school in May 2024. He has postponed his bachelor’s study and is now undergoing training specialized in Khmer language and morals for two years at the Regional Teacher Training Center (RTTC) in Kampong Cham province.

There are six RTTCs in Cambodia – in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Takeo, Kampong Cham, Battambang, and Prey Veng provinces.

Sophea expressed concern that the Khmer language might be at risk of being improperly used, especially among younger generations. 

“The Khmer language isn't as easy as some native speakers think. It is tough for the children because some can easily learn foreign languages like English. But, mastering Khmer language usage, particularly its grammar and vocabulary, remains challenging,” said Sophea. 

Similarly, Kong Somphors, 21, previously a Khmer literature student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, transferred to the Cambodian University for Specialties and is currently undergoing studies at RTTC Kampong Cham. 

Somphors wants to become a teacher of Khmer literature and a writer. She participated in the short story, poetry, and short novel writing competitions. 

Min Fanita, a 23-year-old Khmer Muslim student in her third year of Khmer literature at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, expressed her passion for the Khmer language. She aspires to become a Khmer language teacher in the future.

Fanita is currently taking online classes due to limited classroom space. Despite the challenges of studying from home and the weekly costs, she remains determined to improve her knowledge and one day educate students in her hometown of Kampong Thom province.

Sophea, Somphors, and Fanita recognize the many benefits of studying Khmer literature. As Cambodians, they can contribute to preserving their language and culture. Moreover, their knowledge can be used to educate younger generations about the Khmer language.

As teachers, they can also choose to stay close to home and be with their families. However, their dedication may sometimes require them to work in remote areas with a shortage of educators.

Min Fanita, third year student in Khmer Literature at Royal University Phnom Penh. Photo provided

Contrasting views on career prospects

Originally from Siem Reap province, Sophea’s passion for Khmer literature is not always understood by those around him. While many doubt the career prospects of this major, his parents and high school Khmer teacher have been unwavering in their support.

Despite the lower demand compared to other fields, Sophea recognizes the essential nature of Khmer literature. He believes that with specific skills, graduates can find opportunities in both private companies and government sectors.

Unlike Sophea, Fanita and Somphors see a strong interest in Khmer literature among students, particularly for those aspiring to become teachers. However, they also highlight the diverse career paths available to literature graduates, including authoring, journalism, and government service.

Sophea explained that Khmer Literature graduates with additional language skills, such as English, can pursue careers as translators. These professionals are crucial for ensuring accurate word usage and grammar in various documents, including government press releases, books, and reports.

While many students overlook the benefits of Khmer Literature, they are often deterred by perceived challenges and limited job opportunities. Teaching is a popular career choice, but it is highly competitive. Some students who choose different majors may view Khmer literature as overly complex and lacking in practical applications.

As Sophea noted, "Studying Khmer literature is difficult, as it requires a deep understanding of literary art, grammar, culture, and history. Students need clear goals and active participation in competitions to discover their talents and identify suitable career paths."

She added, "Some students unfortunately drop out due to academic difficulties."

Challenges of learning Khmer among youngsters

“Nowadays, students are not qualified enough in Khmer language proficiency, especially in dictation. Many underestimate the difficulty of the major, believing it to be easy,” stated Thea Sokmeng.

Sokmeng, a seasoned Khmer literature educator since 1989 and current head of the Department of Khmer Literature at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, has observed a decline in the language proficiency of incoming students. To ensure the selection of highly capable students who will become effective educators, the department implemented an entrance exam in 2023.

Despite numerous applications, the university faces limitations in terms of classroom space. As a result, successful candidates may be required to study online, while those who do not meet the criteria are advised to consider other institutions.

Impact of bilingualism

Hean Sokhom, President of the National Council for the Khmer Language, said younger generations should prioritize Khmer language proficiency as there are challenges of misusing Khmer and Khmer mixed with foreign languages in today's Cambodian society.

Bilingualism, a result of the global spread of Indo-European languages like English, French, and Spanish in the past century, has also impacted the Khmer language, according to Sokhom.

"The integration of foreign language elements into Khmer speech has raised concerns among language purists about potential damage or even the extinction of the language," Sokhom explained. "They fear that the increasing use of mixed language can weaken the purity of Khmer."

Chea Sophea, student at at Regional Teacher Training Center (RTTC) in Kampong Cham province. Photo providedjpg

Normalization of incorrect language use

Chhort Bunthang, a philosophy and social affairs expert from the Royal Academy of Cambodia, expressed concern about the decline of Khmer language proficiency due to widespread errors in social media posts. He warned that these mistakes can normalize poor language use and have far-reaching consequences.

"We frequently observe incorrect Khmer language usage on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram. While some individuals may believe they are writing privately, their posts are accessible to a wide audience," Bunthang explained.

He further emphasized, "These linguistic errors can lead to a domino effect, as others may inadvertently adopt them. When mistakes go uncorrected, they become normalized, and people become less mindful of accurate language use."

Solutions for improvement

As a Khmer literature specialist, Bunthang noted the importance of keeping Cambodians living abroad informed about updates on correct Khmer word usage from the National Council of Khmer Language (NCKL). 

He also suggested that textbooks in all subjects and from every Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport should be regularly reviewed for accurate language usage. 

Meanwhile, he called on teachers, authors, government officials, spokespeople, and lawmakers to stay updated and follow the guidelines set by the NCKL to promote the proper use of the Khmer language.

Sokhom suggested that well-trained Khmer language teachers are key to improving language proficiency among students. Sokmeng echoed this sentiment, encouraging students to pursue Khmer literature to both preserve the language and advance their careers.

"While the digital age may lead some to question the demand for Khmer language teachers, I believe the future holds significant opportunities," Sokmeng stated.

"With the increasing number of private schools opening in provinces across the country, the need for qualified Khmer language teachers will continue to grow."

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Khmer Literature at the Royal University of Phnom Penh has witnessed a significant surge in student enrollment, with nearly 1000 students, including both scholarship and fee-paying students, now enrolled.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the department is poised to welcome 650 fee-paying students, a substantial increase from the previous years. In 2023-2024, the number of fee-paying students was 360, while in 2022-2023, it was 550.

Sokmeng noted that approximately 200 students receive government scholarships annually. Additionally, some fee-paying students benefit from scholarships provided by various organizations and individuals, further supporting the study of Khmer literature.

He explained, "The increase in enrollment can be attributed to the affordable tuition fees of $350 per year and the availability of numerous scholarships. These factors provide opportunities for students, particularly those from provincial areas who may face financial constraints, to pursue their studies in Khmer literature."

Sokmeng said he was delighted that those students started to be interested in Khmer literature. The government also introduced Khmer language and culture classes in all private schools. 

“I hope students will study Khmer literature not just for the degree but for their knowledge and skills. Otherwise, they may struggle with Khmer language proficiency in their future careers,” said Sokmeng. “It is not just university students, even among scholars. There are numerous errors in written words, whether in journalism or song lyrics.”

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