English to Khmer Phonetic Translation Explained:
There are different types of vernaculars in the world when it comes to tone. Languages like Chinese are tonal, which means that words can have different tones depending on their shape and curves. English, in contrast, is a non-tonal language because its words don’t have different tones. It is worth noticing that even in non-tonal vernaculars, vowels and consonants have different sounds. But it is not the same as words having pitch.
English and Khmer are both non-tonal, which means they have something in common despite being completely different from each other. This is why the translation from English to Khmer with sound is not as difficult as it may sound, at least not for the experts. However, due to Khmer having different dialects, it is impossible to get the right sound depending on where you are in Cambodia. People will be speaking a different dialect everywhere you go in the country. So, unless you have an interpreter with you, you will have a hard time figuring out which tone they are using and how to get it translated.
If you pick an app like Google Translate or Yandex Translate for your travels, you might not have to face a lot of difficulties. Since the apps focus on the standard version of Khmer, which is used by the state, you will be able to get around easily. Most of the citizens of Cambodia are familiar with the standard variety of their vernacular and will be able to communicate with you through an app. You can also check the translation of road signs on your apps to check their efficiency. But if they can provide you with accurate voice solutions, then you know that you can count on them.