1. Introduction to the Khmer Writing System and Sounds

2. A word on Writing vs. speaking
Speaking is a natural function
Writing is man-made

3. Today we will learn… History of Khmer Script
Funan (68–550 CE) and Pallava
Abugida

4. History of Khmer Script: Funan (68-550CE)

5. History of Khmer Script: Funan (68-550CE)
Name given by Chinese explorers Kāng Tài and Zhū Yīng c. 200CE
Is the area known as Nokor Phnom នគរភ្នំ now.
Precursor to Angkor ( CE)
Traded heavily with both Gupta and Pallava in Oc Eo
Indian texts describe Funan as ‘Suvarnabhumi’
Khmer script adopted from Pallava

6. Pallava (200-900CE): Architecture & paleographic Inscriptions

7. Pallava (200-900CE): Architecture & paleographic Inscriptions

8. Pallava (200-900CE): Architecture & paleographic Inscriptions
From the Baksei Chamkrong Temple ប្រាសាទបក្សីចាំក្រុង in Siem Reap completed in the 10th Century.

10. Pallava & Khmer Script
Abugida: writing system in which consonant-vowel sequences are written as a unit: each unit is based on a consonant letter, and vowel notation is secondary ក
One full syllable k
consonant
+ aw
vowel

11. Pallava & Khmer Script
Pallava Consonants

12. Pallava & Khmer Script
Khmer Consonants

13. Pallava & Khmer Script
Khmer Consonants

14. Khmer script 33 Consonants យញជនៈ៣៣ 23 (46) Dependent Vowels ស្រៈ២៣
13 independent Vowels ស្រៈពេញតួ

15. Khmer Consonants

16. Khmer Dependent Vowels

17. Khmer inDependent Vowels

18. Khmer Alphabet Song

19. Questions???