Khmer script facts for kids

The Khmer script is the special way of writing the Khmer language, also known as Cambodian. It's a type of writing system called an abugida. This means that each main letter usually has a vowel sound already built into it.

The Khmer script is very old and was used to create the writing systems for Thai and Lao languages. However, Thai and Lao languages use different sounds called tones to change the meaning of words. Khmer language does not use tones. So, when Thai and Lao scripts were created, they added special marks to show these tones.

Unique Features of Khmer Script

One cool thing about the Khmer script is how it handles groups of consonant sounds. Unlike Thai and Lao, Khmer has special subscript forms for its consonant letters.

What are Subscript Forms?

Imagine how some letters in English can be capital (like A) or small (like a). In a similar way, Khmer consonants have a standard form and a smaller, different-looking subscript form. These subscript forms are written right underneath another letter.

They are used when two or more consonants come together without a vowel sound in between them. This is called a consonant cluster or consonant string.

For example, in the word "Khmer" (ខ្មែរ), the "kh" and "m" sounds are a cluster.

• The letter for "kh" is ខ.
• The letter for "m" is ម.

When "m" comes right after "kh" in a cluster, it changes to its subscript form, which looks like ្ម. This subscript form is then placed under the "kh" letter, making it look like ខ្ម. This helps writers and readers understand how the sounds fit together in a word.

Images for kids

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  Ancient Khmer script engraved on stone.

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  An inscription in Khmer script, at the temple of Lolei

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  Âksâr khâm (អក្សរខម), or Akson khom (อักษรขอม), an antique style of the Khmer script as written in Uttaradit, Thailand. In this picture, although it was written with Khmer script, all texts in this manuscript are in Thai languages.

See also

In Spanish: Alfabeto camboyano para niños