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By
:Chhin Veth.
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All over the world,
each nation always has their own spoken language. Each
phrase of any spoken language always has differing meanings
to emphasize. This has been the crux of linguistic philosophy
and their quest to locate the meaning of language.
To attempt any sort of analysis, one must first understand
the origins of a word and thus define its original meaning.
Every word and phrase has uniquely differing roots and
backgrounds.
Ludwig Wittgenstein, the founder of linguistic philosophy,
said: "Whereof one cannot speak one must remain silent."
The notion was that words without meaning were a waste
of time. The concept of analyzing each word, its meanings
and nuances was the school of thought that he followed.
Cambodia is no exception. Especially provincial Khmer
that provides a plethora of phrases that have strayed
from their original meaning to evolve into a new definition.
Through the use of imagery and metaphor, the literal translation
and the true meaning are poles apart.
More often than not this is through ignorance. With a
penchant for harking back to the bygone era, we examine
a quirky aspect of Khmer phraseology. The example used
to extrapolate the theory is the word of "Antit Kor
Lot".
To dissect this phrase we must first examine the individual
meaning of each word. The Khmer language is a compound
language and, as such, needs to be broken down into the
individual definition. The word "Antit" refers
to a man who used to be a monk. Inevitably one falls victim
to dialectical differences, in certain parts of the country
"Antit" means son in law.
The word "Kor Lot" means the cow that bucks.
This sheds light on why, when hearing this phrase quickly,
many Khmers will laugh at the imagery of a man who used
to be a monk, but walks like a cow bucking.
Traditionally, even today this practice continues, most
men entered a monastery for some period. When they left
the monkhood they were respected within society. Thus
they were dubbed with the title "Antit". The
origins of this word are from the word doctorate - the
implication of being a monk carrying with it intellectual
merit.
When it came to matters of the heart for these "Antit",
both parents would have to reach an understanding if marriage
were to follow. To earn his fiancée, the wanna
be groom must first serve the parents of the girl. The
time period of this servitude was normally three months.
A variation to this previously established time limit
would be the result of further discussions by the families
involved. This practice provided an opportunity for the
would be in-laws, to check out their daughters suitor
and ensure that he was worthy.
In all major ceremonies, especially true of the national
ones, there would be many activities including horse racing,
wrestling and cart racing. In the journey to watch these
events the suitor must act as cart driver for his future
family.
The story goes that due to a tailback on the cart track;
the event they were on they way to was very popular. The
"Antit" had to walk in front of the buffalo
to ensure they were kept under control.
The family of the girl involved saw this as the perfect
opportunity to monitor and evaluate the ability of the
"Antit". Could he be the one to hold their family
honour high? Could he be good enough for their child?
However as all cart drivers know, upon meeting their own
kind, oxen and buffalo can tend to become frisky. This
was the case in the story being told: the "Antit"
lost control during one such encounter. The cart he was
driving was overturned in the turmoil and the parents
and lover were flung to the ground, like used, slightly
soiled rags.
The embarrassment for the family was monumental. In fact
they lost so much face that they cancelled the engagement
demanding that the "Antit" return to his home
and not bother their daughter again.
The man who lost his love because of the antics of the
cows and his inability to control their vehicle was known
as "Antit Kor Lot."
However in the age of modernization, and the slow decline
in ox cart usage, the meaning and comprehension of this
phrase has been lost. While the temples from the period
still stand the words are less durable. The phrase is
now merely a generic term for a man, without it's original
meaning.
This is one of a multitude of examples of phrasal amnesia.
The effect is one that is comical, in the sense that the
word will be used but the actual meaning unclear. At the
same time this linguistic loss is sad, symptomatic of
the desperate attempt to embrace all things new. The problem
with this is that the tree cannot grow new branches, if
it has forgotten its roots. |
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