AUPP Prof. Joshua Wilwohl, from the School of Social Sciences, has spent nearly a year researching English usage among Cambodian university students, identifying linguistic patterns that suggest an emerging standard variation he calls “Transitional Cambodian English” (TCE)—which may help inform language education and policy in the country.
Wilwohl’s research, funded in part by AUPP, aligns with his doctoral studies in English pedagogy at Murray State University in the U.S.
“The use of English in Cambodia has had rapid growth during the past decade, and it will only continue to grow among the younger generations of Cambodians,” he said. “More Cambodians are entering formal education, and technology is playing a part.”
Based on anonymous surveys and speech samples of university students in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Wilwohl’s research suggests TCE blends features of American and British Englishes, with limited local-language borrowing, and it may play a role in the development of a standardized form of Cambodian English.
Wilwohl’s work looks at the pronunciation, lexicon, grammar, pragmatics, and language learning and acquisition of students, aged 18-25.
While Wilwohl said more research must be done to further examine the variation and its features—especially beyond the domain of education—findings suggest advancements in the population’s English language abilities in recent years, influenced by globalization, technology, and education.
“This research provides an original and inspiring look at the variations of English usage in Cambodia that indicates emerging patterns within bilingual communication, particularly among the Cambodian youth,” said Prof. Raimund Weiss, dean, School of Social Sciences.
Building upon his current findings, Wilwohl is exploring how Cambodian university students engage in other forms of bilingual communication, such as Sing/Signe-Khmer and KhmEnglish, in digital spaces. Sing/Signe-Khmer is a written form characterized by the phonetic spelling of Khmer words with Latin characters, while “KhmEnglish” is a colloquial form mixing Khmer and English words.
Wilwohl will present his initial findings on TCE at the 21st Annual CamTESOL Conference on English Language Teaching, Feb. 14-16, at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.
About Prof. Joshua Wilwohl:
Wilwohl is an assistant professor at the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP). His courses and research explore how identity forms at the intersection of art, language, and technology.
He’s studied the influence of word choice on consumer behavior, and he’s applied the results to shape digital products. His work in the U.S., U.K., and Cambodia includes a patented navigation system that helps improve people’s experience with cars.
Before joining AUPP, he was on faculty at the Metropolitan College of New York. Wilwohl is a doctoral student, specializing in English pedagogy, with a stack of communication degrees: PgD, MA, MPA, and BA.
