CAM1110

Introductory Cambodian (Khmer), part 1

Bopha Lim

6 points
* 5 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton

Objectives A principal objective of this subject is to have students acquire minimum survival proficiency in Cambodian. The aim is to have students develop the ability in speaking and listening to comprehend enough to meet basic survival needs, such as asking for and giving personal information, asking and talking about likes and dislikes, ordering or buying things, and making suggestions and agreeing. In reading, the aim is to have students be able, with romanisation, to read anything they can say; in Cambodian script, they should be able to recognise and pronounce about a dozen different letters plus various simple combinations of these. In writing, they should attain a familiarity with the same dozen Cambodian letters and simple combinations of these, and in written composition (in roman script), they should attain the ability to write personal details and a short series of sentences about things that are familiar.

Synopsis This subject introduces students to all the basic structures of Cambodian. Students practise correct articulation of the sounds, and learn to read and write Cambodian script. Language study is placed in the context of Cambodian life and civilisation, including an introduction to linguistic etiquette.

Assessment Examinations (2 hours): 60%
* Oral, classwork, assignments: 40%

Prescribed texts

Huffman F E Modern spoken Cambodian Cornell U, South East Asia Program, 1979
Huffman F E Cambodian system of writing and beginning reader Yale U P, 1970
Soeur Kethya Khmer language for foreigners Phnom Penh, 1996
Pen Setharin Learn to read Phnom Penh, 1995