Khmer

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A language of Cambodia

ISO 639-3
khm
Alternate Names
Cambodian, Central Khmer
Autonym
ខ្មែរ‎ (Khmer)
Population

16,000,000 in Cambodia, all users. L1 users: 15,000,000 in Cambodia (2015). L2 users: 1,000,000. Total users in all countries: 17,591,230 (as L1: 16,591,230; as L2: 1,000,000).

Location

Widespread.

Language Maps
Language Status

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

Classification
Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Eastern Mon-Khmer, Khmer
Dialects

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

Typology

SVO; prepositions; noun head initial; no articles; no passives; 21 consonants, 17 vowels, 13 diphthongs; non-tonal; stress on final syllable; 5 social registers.

Language Development
35% of the population over 15 cannot read or write Khmer. Fully developed. Bible: 1954–2016.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Khmer
Writing

Khmer script [Khmr].

Also spoken in:

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