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Cambodian Languages & Disability Access
Languages
Before we came to Cambodia, we’d never heard of Khmer (the native language), never mind know how to pronounce it. It’s not pronounced as it is written and the right way to say it is “Khmai” if you want to sound like a local. Despite months of language classes and a private tutor, I still have lots of challenges, as there are so many inflections to a word that it’s easy to say it wrong. And heaven help you if you do, since Cambodians will look at you as though you’ve just told them there’s a flock of birds about to land on their head, if you don’t say it exactly right.
While English is fairly widely understood in the main tourist regions of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and parts of the coast, it is an alien sound when you get outside the cities. People in the provinces generally won’t have a clue what you’re saying, so the only thing to do is gesture wildly, point to items on menus, practice charades, and smile (or laugh, depending on the circumstances) until you figure it out.
Having said that, it’s important to master a few words and phrases since Cambodians love it when foreigners speak to them in their native tongue and will always comment on your good use of their language (even if you only say one word). Some important phrases to know are “ar-koon” (thank you), “sua s’day” (hello), “lee hi” (good bye), “som kot loy” (the check please), and “rik ree-yay dile baanskole neak” (it’s nice to meet you). You’ll also often be saying “ottay, ar-koon” (no thank you) to all the tuktuk drivers and motodops who constantly offer you a ride, at all times of the day or night.
If you decide to take the plunge and study the language, it’s best to get a private tutor, as there are dozens of teachers around town offering their services (check on the Cambodian Parents’ Network Yahoo group – see “What to do when you first arrive”), or you can enrol in a class at one of the following schools (prices are generally $4 - $10 per hour):
Disability Access
Cambodia is a challenging place for people with disabilities. There are no codes for equipping buildings for handicapped access and even the simplest task - such as getting across town - can be a major challenge. Getting into a tuktuk requires a big step up (or down), most buildings don’t have elevators (we climb 47 steps to our apartment), and there are no revolving doors or ramps in public buildings. Even the sidewalks possess a challenge - even for those of us without physical disabilities - as they are generally rough, potholed, and littered with garbage in many areas of most cities.
The only way a person with physical disabilities would be able to travel comfortably in Cambodia would be to stay in a decent hotel, travel by taxi, and dine in ground floor restaurants.
Before we came to Cambodia, we’d never heard of Khmer (the native language), never mind know how to pronounce it. It’s not pronounced as it is written and the right way to say it is “Khmai” if you want to sound like a local. Despite months of language classes and a private tutor, I still have lots of challenges, as there are so many inflections to a word that it’s easy to say it wrong. And heaven help you if you do, since Cambodians will look at you as though you’ve just told them there’s a flock of birds about to land on their head, if you don’t say it exactly right.
While English is fairly widely understood in the main tourist regions of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and parts of the coast, it is an alien sound when you get outside the cities. People in the provinces generally won’t have a clue what you’re saying, so the only thing to do is gesture wildly, point to items on menus, practice charades, and smile (or laugh, depending on the circumstances) until you figure it out.
Having said that, it’s important to master a few words and phrases since Cambodians love it when foreigners speak to them in their native tongue and will always comment on your good use of their language (even if you only say one word). Some important phrases to know are “ar-koon” (thank you), “sua s’day” (hello), “lee hi” (good bye), “som kot loy” (the check please), and “rik ree-yay dile baanskole neak” (it’s nice to meet you). You’ll also often be saying “ottay, ar-koon” (no thank you) to all the tuktuk drivers and motodops who constantly offer you a ride, at all times of the day or night.
If you decide to take the plunge and study the language, it’s best to get a private tutor, as there are dozens of teachers around town offering their services (check on the Cambodian Parents’ Network Yahoo group – see “What to do when you first arrive”), or you can enrol in a class at one of the following schools (prices are generally $4 - $10 per hour):
Disability Access
Cambodia is a challenging place for people with disabilities. There are no codes for equipping buildings for handicapped access and even the simplest task - such as getting across town - can be a major challenge. Getting into a tuktuk requires a big step up (or down), most buildings don’t have elevators (we climb 47 steps to our apartment), and there are no revolving doors or ramps in public buildings. Even the sidewalks possess a challenge - even for those of us without physical disabilities - as they are generally rough, potholed, and littered with garbage in many areas of most cities.
The only way a person with physical disabilities would be able to travel comfortably in Cambodia would be to stay in a decent hotel, travel by taxi, and dine in ground floor restaurants.
Cambodian Languages & Disability Access
Reviewed by Kavei
on
2:37 AM
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Reviewed by Kavei
on
2:37 AM
Rating:
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