Khmer dictation comp attracts broad interest
MORE than 800 people have registered for Cambodia’s first public Khmer Literature dictation contest.
Themed “Angkor Writing”, the event – which will be held on the western causeway of the Angkor Wat Temple – aims to improve the level of Khmer literature among the public.
Lim Bunhok, deputy secretary-general of the National Assembly, said on January 9 that 815 participants have registered for the January 21 event. Registration closed on January 7.
He added that preparations for the event were proceeding well, although funding was still required to complete some necessary steps, including printing shirts for the participants and hiring qualified teachers to correct the completed dictations.
“We are looking forward to this event and hope that it will create a national movement which will encourage the public to understand the importance of the Khmer written language. The value of our mother tongue must be promoted,” he explained.
Bunhok continued that although this is the first time the programme is organised, it has attracted a lot of interest from people from all walks of life.
“The contest committee will select a topic for the dictation which has deep meaning, and is linked to the history of Angkor,” he said.
He noted that winning or losing should not be the focus of the entrants, as each of them will benefit by acquiring a broader knowledge of the history of Angkor, which has stood for more than a thousand years.
They will also gain more understanding of the value of Khmer literature and the importance of correct spelling.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, believes that for the competition to be sustainable, Khmer language dictation should be included in secondary school curriculums.
He suggested that this, along with calligraphy and other programmes, would inspire children to learn to read and write in Khmer as well.
“The important thing is that we make this event sustainable, especially via an emphasis on secondary education. This will encourage Cambodian youths to remember the importance of Khmer literature, as well as the true meaning of Khmer words,” he said.
He added in his opinion, holding a Khmer literacy competition in such a historic location was a great way to promote literacy among the general public, especially students.
The top three contestants will be awarded cash and stays at luxury hotels, as well as other incentives and souvenirs.
This contest is supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Apsara National Authority and Siem Reap-based NGO Sipar, as well as many individual philanthropists who love Khmer literature.