Preah Vihear as Prah Viharn

Editorial

Prah Viharn?

Rasmei Kampuchea Daily Newspaper

November 14, 2008. No.4742

By: Chilean

Unofficial translation: CSP

Dr. Michel Trané, Specialist on Khmer Culture, said that Thais or Siamese people, who are in Chino anthropology, are the new comers in former Kampu (Khmer) country. Therefore, everything ranging from religion, language, Buddha statue development techniques, as well as Wats (monasteries), Siamese people who had just taken new role of Nokor Sokhoutey ownership when graining independence from Khmer were extremely influenced by Khmer culture.

Not only those mentioned in the above, Siamese people also took the political structure from Khmer authorities, which used to rule these areas. This is the historical truth otherwise it is contradictory to or opposite to the history. Mr. Michel Trané added that in this context, since 13^th century, Thai linguistics were most transformed from Khmer words significantly. There was an sharp increase in borrowing words or grammar from Khmer while Siamese Kingdom was emerging gradually into an Empire in the region.

Because Thai is a language with intonation (up and down) like Vietnamese or Yeaknam, and light without sound or voice, Thai people have to read Khmer words in Thai intonation. Thai pronounced in non-sound way for Khmer sounded consonants.

Examples

Khmer Vowels/ Consonant àSiamese	Khmer pronunciation	Thai/Siamese pronunciation
“ a‘ ” ea à “a ”a:	“Ea” like ear in English “evTna “, vetanea (miserable, difficult)	“a:” in Thai like arm in English “evTn+a “vetana
“B” Pà “b” B	“P”	“B” in Thai
‘r’ , R à ‘n’N	‘R” Ror ‘edIr’, Deur (walk); ‘dMeNIr’ Damneur (walk, noun) ‘ecar’, chaor (thief);	‘N’ Nor in Thai, ‘edIn’ “Deun, walk ‘dMeNIn’ “Damneun (walk, noun). ‘ecan’ “Chaon”, Thief
‘l’ , Là ‘n’N	“L” Lor like look in English eg. ‘fñl;’, Thnal, Road or Path ‘kusl’, kosal, merit or good deed	“N” eg. ‘fñn;’Thanan, Road, Path ‘kusn;’Kosan, merit, good deed
‘c’, Chà ‘t’Tor	“Chor”, eg. ‘Rtac’, Trach	“Tor” ‘Rtat’Trat
‘s’, Sà ‘t’Tor	“Sor” eg. ‘Gakas’, akas, Sky	“Tor” ‘Gakat’Akat, Sky
‘C’, Chà ‘q’Chh	“Chor” eg. ‘Cav’, cheav, buy or purchase	“Chhor” ‘qav’Chha:v, buy or purchase

Based on the linguistics which is the natural law in Thai transcription of sounds, the Khmer words “Preah Vihear, RBHvihar’” was pronounced “Prah Viharn, R)aHvihan” in Thai.

At this stage, Mr. Michel Trané would like to remind that the word “Preah” is not originated from Pali. It is solely a Khmer word which comes from the word “Rah, rH “

Therefore, it is normal that Thai people pronounced Khmer words in Thai intonation, i.e., there is no secrecy for the linguistician.

The underlining problem is that why Thai delegation still pronounced Khmer word in their intonation in the international meeting with Khmer on Cambodia-Thai border dispute?

Ancient Khmer study showed that Thai usually thought they are superior than Khmer or other nations and had strong conscience; they never tried to pronounce Khmer words like Khmer because they are afraid of being inferior. This is a wonder from Khmer with regards the above mentioned issue.

Finally, there is no reason for Khmer to change or read the words “Preah Vihear” whose belongs to Khmer the same as Thai at all. Every Khmer considers this intention as a blind and stupid act and it showed the ambition of Thai to take over ancient architecture from Khmer.

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