Article published In: Chinese Language and Discourse
Vol. 14:2 (2023) ► pp.265–284
Language and identity
A report on a Cambodian Chinese village
Published online: 8 March 2022
https://doi.org/10.1075/cld.21028.bou
https://doi.org/10.1075/cld.21028.bou
Abstract
This paper is a socio-linguistic report of Veun Sai, a small Cambodian village in the Northeastern province of Ratanakiri near the border of Laos and Vietnam. The village is located in a multi-lingual context where Hakka Chinese, Khmer, and Laotian are spoken side-by-side and each language has a distinct role. Hence, the Veun Sai Chinese village is in fact a multi-cultural village bound together by a Chinese thread. This paper provides background on Chinese communities Cambodia historically and considers issues of identity relevant to Sino-Cambodians generally. The report is based on short interviews with 20 residents.
Keywords: Chinese diaspora, language identity, language contact, Hakka, Lao, Cambodia
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Historical background: Sino-Cambodians and the Chinese language
- 3.The modern context and identity
- Associations and education
- 4.The Chinese village of Veun Sai វើនសៃ
- Village background
- Demographics
- Chinese culture and education in Veun Sai
- Language use
- Concluding notes
- Future directions
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
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