Khmer Spell Check Founder Starts From Scratch
Founder of NextSpell Danh Hong started from scratch to give the public access to his Khmer spell checker.
- By Ky Soklim
- March 18, 2024 2:10 PM
PHNOM PENH — Founder of NextSpell Danh Hong started from scratch to give the public access to his Khmer spell checker.
NextSpell enables users to check Khmer spelling by extracting Khmer text from hard copy and reading Khmer from the text.
In 2009, when spell checkers were available only in English, French and other languages, the idea for a Khmer spell checker popped up in Danh Hong’s mind.
Danh Hong said it was not called “NextSpell” at first. The application only assisted users to check Khmer spelling which was in line with a Khmer dictionary.
“In these 14 years, I insert data day by day. Four or five years ago, the application was introduced to the market,” Danh Hong said.
“NextSpell is now more accurate than in the past. Yet, I still intend to see more improvements in the future.
“As a self-reliant developer of this app, I will not stop here. I continuously insert more data so it can function more accurately, Danh Hong said.
Developing NextSpell is an arduous task which requires both time and effort. Danh Hong said, NextSpell can now pick up more than 60% of wrong Khmer spellings.
He said there is still limited data available on the app. The app can correct the wrong Khmer spelling automatically. Yet for some words, NextSpell can only alert users of those mistakes by highlighting them in red.
Hong said data was derived from reliable websites yet some words were still incorrect. Thus, he only copied the correct text or text with minor mistakes to insert in his app.
“Once I finish collecting data, one application is available for verification. I have a formula to train the engine to learn from the inserted text so it is able to check the wrong spelling,” he said.
During the interview, Danh Hong also extended his sincere thanks to the Khmer Writers Association who helped him with advertising and teamwork for a short period.
He said due to a lack of finance, the teamwork stopped and he handled it alone again.
“This app takes plenty of time. If we work as a team, it would be easier because I believe more labor force can speed up the process. Yet I still do not give up if I work alone now,” he said.
“Imagine if there was a new dictionary with 4000-5000 pages, I could insert those words into NextSpell. Yet many processes are needed. Simply put, I need to contact the website or text owner for permission to access.
“We work in this field, we need to know about professions, rules, ownership of the data,” he said.
Talking about his ultimate objective, Hong intends to see if NextSpell can check not only incorrect words but also long sentences and grammar.
He said NextSpell has yet to recognize dialect and other slang. It is impossible unless a big company works on it.
NextSpell is free for the first month. After one month, users can only check short text. Long text is accessible for only donors.
“I have yet to consider the paid subscription after the free trial. For now, they can be our donors if they wish to utilize this app for a long time and check long texts,” Danh Hong said.
NextSpell is accessible with an internet connection.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.
