Khmer Surin Dialects

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Language                 :           Khmer Surin Dialects
Place Spoken          :           Northern - East

Population              :           1,375,257 – as - 2006

Brief Introduction:

The Khmer language is part of the Khmer-Mon linguistic group in South East Asia peninsula. It is presently spoken in Cambodia, mainly by the upper land Khmers living in South-east of Thailand, and Khmer Surin living in Northern East Khmer is the dialect of the Khmer language spoken the Khmer native to the Thai provinces of Surin , Sisaket, Buriram and Roi Et as well as those that have migrated from this region into Cambodia.

The Khmer Surin language has been gradually assimilated and split into separate dialects. As I speak standard Khmer, I can hardly comprehend the Khmer Surin dialect. Demographically, Khmer Surin peoples are minor group in Northern of Cambodia. Their daily social life is hugely influenced by Thai culture. They have to communicate in Thai at school, work places, markets, and other social events. They hardly speak Khmer among their family members and some for religious rituals. Unfortunately, the Khmer Surin people don’t have the chance to officially learn the Khmer language. If they had the chance to learn it openly, they could use it more frequently in daily life. Regardless of enabling the a fluent speaking, writing, reading, and understanding of the language; if people could formally learn Khmer Surin it would greatly enrich the concept of multicultural society.

 

History

Surin was originally an important part of the Khmer empire (its center at Angkor in present day Cambodia). Temple ruins and a substantial ethnic Khmer minority remain part of Surin. In 1763 a village was moved to the location of the modern city of Surin, and was upgraded to a city with the name Mueang Prathai Saman. At that time there was a man named Chiangpum who gave a white elephant in tribute to Rama I of Bangkok before he became king. In return he received the honorary name Luang Surin Phakdi and was assigned as the village leader. Later he became the first governor when Rama I became king. In 1786 the town was renamed in honor of its first governor to its current name, Surin.

Map of Surin, Burirum, Si Sa Ket

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