Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - RAC: Consult institutions before coining new words

RAC: Consult institutions before coining new words

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
RAC president Sok Touch has asked all ministries and institutions to consult with the National Council of Khmer Language (NCKL) before creating a new word. RAC

RAC: Consult institutions before coining new words

The president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) Sok Touch asked all ministries and institutions to consult with the National Council of Khmer Language (NCKL) before creating a new word.

Touch said the request was made to prevent mistakes and keep the public from blaming the RAC for misused words as the NCKL comes under its purview.

At the press conference, which detailed the progress of the NCKL, he said some ministries had prepared documents which had been approved by the National Assembly but contained new words not brought to the attention of the RAC.

He said the public often criticised the RAC for incorrect terminology.

Touch thanked the Ministry of Environment for always consulting with the NCKL concerning new words but criticized other ministries and institutions for developing new words without conferring with the RAC.

He said relevant institutions need to submit documentation for new words and initiate a dialogue before they start using them because some words cannot be understood and need explanations. He referenced a recent document approved by the Ministry of the Interior which contained made-up words.

Touch said institutions must consult with the Social Science and Real Science groups of the NCKL to work towards a joint decision on new words.

“Please send the form to be approved in the NCKL, so that the responsibility is for everyone [not just the RAC].

“Don’t just mention only one official and say that you’ve called the RAC. The RAC receives the blame but the NCKL doesn’t know about the matter. That’s the problem, so let’s stop it,” he said.

NCKL president Hean Sokhom, said it can have a meeting once a week to review and decide on new words. Generally, each meeting can agree on between one and 10 new terms depending on the complexity of the words and the discussion.

He said ministries and private institutions can request the NCKL to assist in the creation of new terms before they use them.

He said the NCKL has published more than 3,000 new words, and 4,000 more have yet to be approved. All new terms will be included in an online database from 2021.

The RAC said the NCKL has published 11 newsletters and 11 technical glossaries defining words.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.