June 5, 20242 yr From Thai PBS World In Cambodia, anything Thai – from TV series and music to celebrities, consumer goods, and even the language – was once hugely popular. Despite this popularity having waned in recent years, many Cambodians still recognise the value of learning Thai. When it comes to language learning, many Cambodian students are much better at learning Thai compared to other languages, due to the inherent similarities between Thai and Khmer, as the two languages share roots in Pali and Sanskrit, with around 70% of their vocabulary having similar meanings. Sentence structures are also the same, allowing students to communicate in daily life with ease after just three to six months of study. Heng Hongry, 33, a Thai language teacher at Krung Tap Thai School in Phnom Penh, emphasises the challenge of advanced learning in Thai. “The difficult part is pronunciation. It’s crucial because, if you pronounce a word incorrectly, it causes confusion”. Each syllable in Thai carries one of five distinct tones. Even a slight shift can completely change the meaning. By learning Thai, students gain the ability to communicate effectively while also delving into the culture, society and history of Thailand. This deeper understanding can foster stronger connections between people in both countries and, potentially, beyond. At the Royal University of Phnom Penh, students in the Thai department learn about “Thainess” through various activities, including “Sunthorn Phu Day” and a Freshman Welcoming Ceremony. “Actually, we don’t have that kind of ceremony in Cambodia, but we want our students to get an idea of Thai activities”, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Samphos Hem, Head of the Thai Department. He added that students have opportunities to showcase their abilities in the Thai language and their knowledge of Thai literature. There are student performances, in which they practice Thai dance and performance arts. The most important thing is that, through practice, students can learn various forms of Thai art and language. Hence, they gain a clear understanding of Thai culture. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-thai-cultural-diplomacy-works-in-cambodia/
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