The Hard Word high school (Flickr Photo)

The Hard Word high school
Originally uploaded by Glenn Phillips.

I found this great school sign on Flickr. It's from a school in Cambodia. Foreign language learning is all the rage in Cambodia right now, with English in the biggest demand. There are literally dozens of English language schools in any given section of town.

The sign of this one had people, including the photographer, puzzled, and they wondered what the Khmer translation said. Interestingly enough, the top line says, "High School Hard Word Memot." Memot is the name of the village, so, it's "Mermot Hard Word High School." In the Khmer title the words "Hard Word" are written phonetically to approximate the English pronunciation of the words (closer to /haad veud/).

The second Khmer line helps explains things a little. The translation is "Teaching foreign languages, English, Chinese, Thai, and Computer." I guess that means "Computer" is a foreign language too :-). So this is a foreign language school where you can learn all the hard words!

There are lots of signs in Cambodia like this which include English words spelled phonetically in Khmer. I've always been curious about this practice. For example, in this sign, if someone knows the meaning of the phrase "Hard Word" they probably can read English and thus the English translation is sufficient (i.e., they don't need the words written out phonetically in Khmer. So who is the phoenetic spelling of "Hard Word" for? Those who don't know English wouldn't know what the sign means, even if they can sound out the words.

I think this is a form of linguistic marking. Shops and institutions which incorporate English words into the Khmer signage (writen phonetically in Khmer) seem to be attempting some level of sophistication. If it has English in it, it must be high class. Ironically, the phoenic spellings of English words in Khmer turn out to be "hard words" as most Khmer readers won't be able to understand them!

Now, you guys go out and find some Flikr photos you'd like to write something about. It could be one you find funny, inspirational, or one that reminds you of your own experience. Any goes, so just find a photo that strikes you in some way and write something about it.

I'm looking forward to your finds!