Khmer Dictionary 2022 3.01

The National Council of Khmer Language of the Royal Academy of Cambodia is a national institution established to preserve and develop the Khmer language in a sustainable manner and to uphold the Khmer national identity.

The official Khmer dictionary has been published multiple times, starting with the first edition in 1938 and 1943, followed by subsequent editions in 1952, 1958, 1962, 1967, and 1968. Despite these publications, many words remain absent from the Khmer dictionary, reflecting the evolving needs of society due to economic and technological advancements in a globalized context.

Between 2018 and 2022, with the full support of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the National Council of Khmer Language embarked on a significant project to update the Khmer dictionary. This initiative marks a new chapter in Cambodian literature since the inception of the first Khmer dictionary in 1915. A National Committee was established in 2018 to modernize the Khmer dictionary for cohesive language use.

The National Committee for the Preparation of the Khmer Dictionary outlined technical principles for updating, including retaining the original structure while incorporating new commonly used words that are absent from the current dictionary. Furthermore, pronunciations and categorization into eight parts of speech were added for clarity and accessibility.

To facilitate greater access to the Khmer language domestically and internationally in alignment with technological advancements, the National Council of Khmer Language introduced an updated online Khmer dictionary software version 1.0 and a smartphone application, which has gained significant popularity.

The digital search capabilities provided by both the internet platform and smartphone application offer convenience and efficiency to users worldwide seeking word definitions and explanations. This advancement allows users to save time during word searches for enhanced learning experiences.

The National Council of Khmer Language encourages constructive feedback through various channels:

• Website: https://nckl.rac.gov.kh
• Facebook: National Council for the Khmer Language (https://www.facebook.com/NCKLCambodia)
• Email: nckl.home@rac.gov.kh