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When the French government illegally gave Kampuchea Krom land(now know as South Viet Nam)to Viet Nam on 6-4-1949.
Since then the official language for Khmer Krom becoming to Khmer and Vietnamese.
It is very common to see bi-language written at all the pagodas across Kampuchea Krom, as seen in photo from Watt Cheng Rengsey in Saigon ( Prey Norko).
Due to sufferring from Vietnamese oppression.These days, many younger Khmer Krom generations do not speak or read Khmer, because Khmer Krom were forbid from learning Khmer language, and the only education is offering to Khmer Krom is in Vietnamese. Although, many younger generation can't speak or read Khmer,but all of us never forget of who we are. We’re very proud to be Khmer Krom.
Back home, the numbers of educated Khmer Krom men are much greater when comparing to women. Most Khmer Krom men can read or write Khmer from tradition custom when they enter the pagoda to becoming monk, they would stay at the pagoda for period of 1 to 3 months or more,to learn of Buddha teaching and Khmer language. Khmer Krom men can hang out at the pagoda to learn Khmer with out becoming monk.But unfortunate, the Khmer Krom women do not receive that privilege.
Today, many Khmer Krom are realizing education is the only answer for better future, and many families are struggling to sends not only their sons off to school but their daughters as well. I’m one of the lucky Khmer Krom women.
