J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter in Khmer language
An advertisement appeared in a recent issue in The Cambodia Daily says copies of the first book of Harry Potter (in large font size and capital letter that says MAGIC!) in Khmer language is priced at $2.50 (about ten thousand in Cambodian Riel). Khmer version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone are available at Monument Bookstore.
A few years back I grabbed a copy of the book from a bookshop on Monyvong Boulevard for my younger sister, who found it good read; she still asks me for the second book. Recent ads attracted my attention since I thought the second and third books may have just been translated, but then I realized that it’s yet the same one. This time, though, Phnom Penh’s largest bookstore run the ads in the print newspaper.
Sokunpanha You, a Cambodian fan of British author J. K. Rowling, told the BBC that:
I grew up in a country where English wasn’t even the second language. The world of Harry Potter was introduced to me rather late when I was in high school. From the first page, I haven’t really grown too old for what are otherwise supposed to be children’s books.
For me, Harry Potter was the starting point of not just a hobby, but a passion. By the time I read the first Potter book, I’d already been an avid reader, but I did most of the reading in my native Khmer language.
Harry Potter books were what got me into reading in English. I have since then ventured to enjoy both classic and contemporary English literature such as the work of Dickens, Austen, the Bronte sisters, Hugo and many more.
I can now hardly go through a day without doing some reading. And all this started by a bespectacled boy living in a broom shed under the stairs.
The Harry Potter series of fantasy novels have been translated from English into more than 50 languages. The availability of the Khmer language version of the children’s favorite book is credited to The Cambodia Daily publisher Bernard Krisher, who wrote the British author.
In a recent Phnom Penh Post news article, reporter Eleanor Ainge Roy discussed an issue of readership (Young literati delve into the foreign classics) in Cambodia, a country where young people like listening to radio and watching television than reading books.
“For Cambodia’s literature lovers, reading Western classics like Oliver Twist or Les Miserables in the original language is a labour of love…”
I’ve been wondering what could be an important factor to improve readership in the country. I understand that increasing literacy is a significant step to take. However, as pointed out in the article, young people don’t find reading for pleasure, but what they have to.
Some questions came to my mind at the time of writing this:
- Is it because Cambodian literature has too little to offer?
- Or new generation has not born yet to produce some great work that catch up with a large segment of the Cambodian market?
- Is the market of readership too small for writers and publishers to take it aggressively?
- How can we produce quality print books cheaper (print a large amount of copies)?
- Is it true that non-Khmer language speakers couldn’t find Cambodian literature in English much to read?
- Can both the Internet and technology help writers to get their works sold out?`
- How can we see the comeback of rich and great Cambodian litature in this generation?

It is a nice post. I should write some books for young Cambodians. Hey what’s wrong with theme of your website today?
Chanroeun
Now you open the comment box for visitors. I can comment now, but seem to have no idea about Harry Potter!
I see there aren’t enough Khmer books for Khmer people to study. That’s why we have to translate books from other languages to Khmer in order to aid our literacy. The problem is, just as you said, most of Khmer people prefer listening and watching to reading. So, not many books are sold, for sure, and that’s why not many books are published as well. On my point of view, we should encourage people to read more. For further information, you can visit my blog at: http://www.kienforcefidele.wordpress.com
I’d like to get a copy of the book Pride and Prejudice in Khmer for my mother to read. She’s actually really into literature but for her to read in English is a bit complicated and if there’s another copy that she can also read in Khmer…I think she’d enjoy it a lot better and can also learn English quickly by going back to read English afterwards.
Is pride and prejudice a good book? I might translate it if it is.
Hey, bong tharum. Did you get my message? In case you don’t, I’ll repeat my statements again. About the translation of The King’s Last Song, I’ll be happy to help you as much as can. However, I wonder where I can buy this book. Could you please tell me? I’ve tried searching main bookstores in PP but still can’t find it.