Research Proposal

Acoustic Study on Khmer Language: Natural Language Processing

Submitted by:
Royal University of Phnom Penh
Department of Linguistics
To:
.
Summary
This research proposal is submitted by Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP),
Department of Linguistics to address the key challenges facing of Khmer Language:
Consonants and Vowels System in Natural Language Processing approach. The
objectives of this research proposal are:
a. To address the standardization and Khmer language in use in all regions by
Phonetic transcriptions. There were many scholars both Khmers and foreigners
who were studied Khmer Language by using Phonological functions and Phonetic
functions. As the matter fact, Khmer language does not have the legal Standard
yet but it was identified by many scholars who were allocated by two
recommended areas Eastern part dialect, Phnom Penh is central dialect and
Southern part dialect, Battambang and Siem Reap Province are the central
dialect.
b. To identify the key issues of Khmer vowels system by Phonetic transcriptions and
physical sound segments. Khmer language in particular has much more vowels
than the other languages around the world. There are several descriptions of
vowels but it is not so much concerned yet. In addition, vowels structure and
variety are not yet identified by those scholars. In my research proposal, I will
identify this key issues as the Phonetic functions: acoustic study of Khmer vowels
system. However, consonant system is still a concern but it has no big deal yet.
Vowels system can change over time but consonant can be identified by its own
distinctive features.
c. To identify and modernize Khmer language in the digital way or Natural
Language Processing (NLP). In acoustic level, digital function can be the best
option for the future of language processing and also pedagogy. In ICT for
education, classroom material is also included by how to speak a language, and
second language teaching and learning. So, technology can develop many
functions for helping this teaching methodology.
d. The research proposal also focuses on sound segment in digital way (NLP) and
phonetic features. In fact, technology is updating every second and it can help
us to do something much more than we are thinking of its. The final result is
about a sound recognition segment in Khmer language. Sound search and text
reading on Internet, especially on Facebook, is the best function of improving
knowledge and skills. By this way, people can be accessed through Internet
understandably and academically.
 1. Introduction
Khmer languages is the most important language group in South East Asian that so-
called a sub-group of Austroasiatic Languages family. Khmer-Mon or Mon-Khmer is a
language family that located in the specific territories of Cambodia and Burma.

2. Literature review
3. Methodology
4. Result
5. Conclusion
6. References