Khmer

The Khmer language has roots dating back several hundred years, with the earliest known inscription dating back to the 7th century in the southern region of Cambodia. The language became an important medium for the spread of Khmer culture and education during the subsequent centuries, and became standardized and influenced by South Indian script during the 12th century.

Today, Khmer is the official language of Cambodia, and has picked up influences from colonial interactions with French and English, as well as borrowing some other words from Chinese and Sanskrit. Khmer is also spoken to some capacity by some populations in Thailand and in Vietnam.

Translation is work that needs to be done with care and appreciation for the culture, not just out of respect, but also because direct translations are—to put it lightly—a bit silly. Languages form within their specific cultures and contexts, meaning that words and phrases in one language might not have a simple translation to another language, if one exists at all.

These nuances can be difficult to navigate without the appropriate knowledge of the language and the relevant culture. Which is why it is important to make sure your translations are being done by well-equipped professionals with the right tools and information to make sure your message is being translated in a coherent, culturally sensitive way.