Orthography

The Study of Letters and Characters Used in Written Language  Written Khmer has the largest alphabet and is largely derived from south Indian Brahmi characters.  The Khmer alphabet has symbols for thirty-three consonants (with a subscript form if used after a vowel), twenty-four dependent vowels, twelve independent vowels, and several diacritic marks to change vowel sounds (Northern Illinois University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, 2003; Ager, 2003a).  There are two series of consonants: first (voiceless with an inherent /a/ sound) and second (voiced with an inherent /o/ sound).  Vowels can be positioned anywhere in relation to a consonant (including below or under it).  Independent vowels incorporate a consonant and a vowel (Northern Illinois University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, 2003).

Example of text in Khmer and the English translation:

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)