Human Rights
United Nations OHCHR Human Rights
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PROFILE
Total Speakers
7,063,200

Usage by Country

Official Language: Cambodia


Home Speakers: Vietnam, Thailand


Background
Khmer is the national language of Cambodia. It is spoken by over 6 million people. There are also some 1,750,000 speakers in Viet Nam and Thailand. Khmer is the most important member of the Mon-Khmer family of languages. The Khmers were once a powerful people who dominated much of Southeast Asia from the 9th through the 12th century. Their alphabet, like most of those of the area, had its ultimate origin in southern India.


Received: 19980610
Posted: 19980929
Checked: 19981112
Sources