The Khmer Language Studies: Achievements and Prospects

This article offers a review on major linguistic works devoted to modern Khmer languages that were published in Russian, English, French and Khmer languages. A detailed description reflects the most thoroughly studied issues on phonetics, lexicology, word formation, morphology, and syntax of the Khmer language. It is noted that vocalism, the consonant system, and the structure of the Khmer syllable have been precisely investigated in phonetics. However, prosody has not been observed sufficiently yet. Lexicological examination focuses on the characterization of vocabulary from the standpoint of etymology, classification of foreign vocabulary by donor language, themes and method of adaptation, and systemic relationships of lexical units. Significant gaps are observed in the studies of onomastics, phraseology, and stylistics. Particular attention is paid to word formation methods: infi xes and their meanings, prefi xes, and semi-affi xes. At the same time, some morphological research findings appear contradictory: parts of speech classifications vary among representatives of different linguistic schools. Syntax is thought to be the least depicted aspect of the Khmer language system. The analysis of functional, stylistic, and emotional-expressive properties of various language units, as well as the rules of their combinability when constructing phrases and sentences in the text is stated as important.