Displaying Khmer - Development Document

By Javier Solar, 2004

The purpose of this document is to help developers who do not know the Khmer script to understand what is involved in displaying Khmer Unicode correctly.

Khmer Language Information

Ref: Ethnologue Map

A language of Cambodia

ISO 639-3: khm

Alternate Names: 

• Cambodian, Khmer

Population: 

• 12,900,000 in Cambodia (2008 census). Population total all countries: 14,224,500.

Location: 

• Widespread. Also in Canada, China, France, Laos, United States, Viet Nam.

Language Maps: 

• Cambodia, Laos, Southern Viet Nam

Language Status: 

• 1 (National). Statutory national language (1993, Constitution, Article 5).

Classification: 

• Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Eastern Mon-Khmer, Khmer

Dialects: 

• Battambang Khmer, Cardamom Khmer, Khmer Kandal (Central), Khmer Keh (Stung Treng), Khmer Krom (Southern). Distinct from Northern Khmer [kxm] of Thailand.

Typology: SVO

Language Use: 

• 1,000,000 L2 speakers.

Language Development: 

• 35% of the population over 15 cannot read or write Khmer. Radio programs. Grammar. Bible: 1954–1998.

Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Khmer, Central

Writing: Khmer script.

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Ref: Ethnologue