Khmer List

Khmer Language Search Google

It is about time Google begins to take Khmer language seriously and launched the Khmer Language Search Google engine at www.google.com.kh late last year. This is a signal to the world that the giant search engine cooperation has recognized the potential of Khmer population surfing the Internet in the years to come.
Though there are no official statistics released by a reliable source so far as to what is the percentage of Khmer population in Cambodia surf the Internet, it is an upward trend. More and more Cambodians are getting to know benefits of the Internet, find ways to get on the Internet and explore. Currently, Internet surfing is mostly done by school or university students, IT or office professionals.

Very few ordinary Cambodians have an Internet connection at home and surf the Internet regularly. Most of them have to go to an Internet Café and pay to get access to the Internet. Some Cambodians living outside of Cambodia are very active on the Internet but they tend to use other languages such as English or French.

Google Khmer Language Search engine is built on Khmer Unicode program. You need to have Khmer Unicode software installed on your computer in order to use the Search engine. Khmer Unicode program is different from what we now call Khmer “legacy” fonts which are still used on some Khmer websites. To find out how to install Khmer Unicode program in your computer, check here. Khmer Unicode is the future of Khmer fronts used on the Internet and other applications. If you are using other Khmer fonts at this time, it is wise to start making transition now so you can get used to Khmer Unicode. More and more Khmer related websites are moving form using the Khmer “legacy” fonts to Khmer Unicode. It may be little difficult at first as the way Khmer Unicode is typed is not the same as other Khmer fonts. However, once you understand the logic behind it and some practicing, it will be just like typing in other Khmer fonts.

I have tested the Khmer Language Search Google and it returned with some results. Though it took me longer to type in Khmer than in English, it was very exciting to be able search the Internet Khmer. This will only get better when you get used to it and when more and more websites are built on Khmer Unicode. Angkorthum uses Khmer Unicode. Though we try to keep Khmer writing to the minimal as not many visitors have Khmer Unicode installed on their computer or read Khmer scripts, we will continue to use Khmer Unicode more in the future.