Do they speak the same language in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand?
I know this is an odd question, but I'm planning a trip to Vietnam and Thailand and looking to stop in Cambodia while I'm there but I would like to learn the language before I do. So I wanted to know is there a universal dialect used, like if I learn Vietnamese I'll be ok in all three places or do I need to learn a different language in all three countries, thanks in advance!
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Tags: cambodia, dialect, odd question, planning a trip, thailand, thanks in advance, vietnam
October 5th, 2009 at 4:55 am
No – and they all use different alphabets as well. Vietnamese is written in the Latin alphabet ( ABCs) while Thai and Vietnamese have similar looking scripts, but they are different. Also, Thai and Vietnamese are both tonal languages while Cambodian (also called Khmer) is not.
It is very polite to learn a few sentences in the language of where you will be travelling, (especially your thank yous!), but you will find that because they are unused to hearing foreigners speak their language, they won’t understand you a lot of the time! Many people will know the basics in English, especially in the large cities, and anyone involved in the tourist trade. Learning customs and gestures (such as giving a wai at the appropriate time in Thailand) will serve you just as well.
Enjoy your trip, it is an amazing part of the world!
October 5th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Definitely not the same. Could be similar, but not the same.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:55 am
From my knowledge, they don’t speak the same language. They speak Khmer in Cambodia, Vietnamese in Vietnam and Thai in Thailand. I couldn’t say for sure if learning a few phrases in one language would cover you for your trip to the two other countries. More than likely not. You’re probably better off with just English in the long run.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:55 am
they speak different languages, each countries have their own languages. I am Vietnamese, i know it well. Vietnamese is based on the latin writing system, thai and cambodian (khmer) share the common writing system. It’s easier to learn vietnamese. But just use English to contact to the local people, they understand well. Come to vietnam now to enjoy the "miss universe 2008" contest. it’s under happenned in Nha trang, Vietnam.good luck
October 5th, 2009 at 4:55 am
definitely not the same.
they have their own language.
if u r a native english speaker it might be no easy for u to learn any one of these languages.
good luck and enjoy your trip
; )