LONDON, July 31 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
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new Khmerlanguagename reflects all four nations of the United Kingdomand the UK's modern political structure
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therevisionwasdeveloped in consultation with Cambodian linguistic experts and the Royal Academy of Cambodia
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approved by Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
The British Embassy Phnom Penh has adopted an updated Khmer translation of the United Kingdom, following consultation with Cambodian linguistic experts, the Royal Academy ofCambodiaand members of the British community in Cambodia, and with the approval of Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The full official title of the United Kingdom in English is "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".Thisremainsthe full and official titlein English. We have updated and modernised the Khmer language translation to"រាជាណាចក្ររួមនៃព្រីតថេននិងអៀរឡង់ខាងជើង". The new translationmore accurately reflects theUK's current political structure as a constitutional monarchy and the fact that it isa union of four nations: England, Scotland,Walesand Northern Ireland. The preferred short form will be"ព្រីតថេន",a newly minted Khmer wordwhich isa transliteration of the English word "Britain".
The revision reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that the Khmer language accuratelyrepresentsthe identity of the United Kingdom, while respecting Khmer linguistic conventions and usage. It also highlights the value of collaboration between Cambodian and British partners in promoting mutual understanding between our two countries.
His Majesty's Ambassador to Cambodia, Dominic Williams MBE, said:
I have had the tremendous privilege of an extended period learning Khmer and have deep respect for its fundamental importance in Cambodian culture.I believe strongly in sustaining this vibrant, living language.
When I first learnt the Khmer word for my country, I discovered that the words used,when translated into English, do not reflect the modern, diversity of the UKnor my own personal identity, as someone with English, Northern Irish and Welshheritage.
Our decision to update the translation isan indicationof the deep respect and importance we place on the Khmer language.We did not want to impose a change that felt alien to Khmerspeakersso we consulted widely.It was fascinating to learn from the Royal Academy that the King Father had used a moreaccurateterm for my country in the 1960s - "រាជាណាចក្ររួម".It feels respectful to revive this historicusageso we have put the King Father's words at the heart of our updated translation.
I am grateful to the Royal Academy,our linguistic partners, members of the British community in Cambodia, and the Ministry of ForeignAffairs and International Cooperation for theirexpertise,thoughtfulnessand collaboration in helping us reach this important milestone.I hope this new translation will play a small role in enhancing the friendship and mutual understanding between our two great nations.
The updatedtranslationtakes effectimmediatelyand will be used across official British Embassy communications in Cambodia.
Further information
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the revision was formally proposed by HM Ambassador to the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and has received ministerial approval
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thepreviousterm"ចក្រភពអង់គ្លេសនិងអៀរឡង់ខាងជើង",translated as "English Empireand NorthernIreland", not"the United Kingdomof Great Britainand Northern Ireland"
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the updated Khmer translation is"រាជាណាចក្ររួមនៃព្រីតថេននិងអៀរឡង់ខាងជើង",translatedas"theUnited Kingdomof Great Britainand Northern Ireland"
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the preferred short form is"ព្រីតថេន", whichcan betranslatedtoeither"Britain"or "Great Britain"
For media inquiry, please contact: ukincambodia@fcdo.gov.uk
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