Khmer, Central

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A language of Cambodia

ISO 639-3
khm
Alternate Names
Cambodian, Khmer
Population

12,900,000 in Cambodia (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 1,000,000 in Cambodia. Total users in all countries: 15,291,040 (as L1: 14,291,040; 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 Krom (Southern), 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: 1954–1998.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Khmer, Central
Writing

Khmer script [Khmr].

Also spoken in:

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