The Power of Words

Cambodian National Rescue Party President, Sam Rainsy, recently submitted an editorial to The Cambodia Daily newspaper. It was a very thought-provoking article. Rainsy recounted the mob violence that followed a traffic accident in Phnom Penh on February 17 and which resulted in the death by beating of a Yuon man (Vietnamese man) who was involved in the accident. (The victim was a 28 year old Vietnamese National who rear-ended a car. The car driver continued driving and the victim lay injured in the road. The mob gathered as commuters became angry that the road was being blocked by the victim lying in the street and someone yelled, “Yuon fight with Khmer!” and then the beating ensued.) Mr. Rainsy wrote that perhaps there can be “killing words” and in this case the word that seems to have been inflammatory is the word “yuon”, which refers to a person of Vietnamese descent; and may also apply to things originating from Vietnam. Certainly there are some deeply acrimonious chapters in the history between Cambodia and Vietnam. But the term “Yuon”, as Mr. Rainsy points out, was never considered to be an inflammatory or derogatory term in the Khmer lexicon. Mr. Rainsy argues that if this word is now it is considered to be inflammatory or derogatory it is not because of Khmer culture and use, but rather because of misinterpretation and misuse by foreigners who proclaim to be experts on Cambodia. Some of these “experts” have criticized the use of this term as being contemptible, derogatory and of savage connotation. But the Khmer have been using this term in a non-derogatory way for thousands of years, stated Mr. Rainsy, and the term “Vietnamese” was only introduced 50 years ago.

I didn’t know that this was such a controversial term, but in doing just a small amount of research have found a surprisingly high level of varied opinions about the use of this word. The word can be found in the recorded history of Kampuchea at least back to the early 1600’s. The Khmer Rouge referred to Vietnamese people as Yuon, but they meant it in a derogatory way – to mean barbarian. Many Khmer do not want to use the term Vietnamese because “viet” sounds very close to the word describing a legendary giant cannibal who destroyed Cambodian lands eating human flesh and animals.  

Words are really powerless without meaning and the meaning of a word can be derived through misunderstanding, cultural influences, historical influences, and be significantly influenced in interpretation by the relationship that exists between the communicants. In Cambodia it is very common that people will ask how old you are, if you are married, how much did you pay for that, how much money do you make, and if you have eaten yet. They will tell someone that they are fat. (These conversations commonly take place between people who may even have just met for the first time.) I believe that in almost every instance these statements or inquiries are not intended with any malice and there is no offense taken at being asked these questions or at being told that you are fat, but that is in this culture. Coming from American culture some of these questions may seem too personal and it would likely be offensive to be called fat. Whereas, here in Cambodia one of my Khmer language instructors asked me to call him by the name “Amup” (meaning fat boy). I told him I was hesitant to do so as I didn’t want to insult him and he said that he didn’t mind; that he liked it. So, where does the power of words come from? I think that the most important factor to the power and meaning of words comes from relationship.