No, they are completely different languages. Lao is quite similar to Thai. Khmer is related to numerous languages spoken by minorities in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. It’s distantly related to Vietnamese.
What language is most similar to Khmer?
More distant relatives to Khmer are the Munda languages (of India), Khasi languages (India), Palaungic languages, Khmuic languages, Pakanic languages, Vietic languages (including Vietnamese), Katuic languages, Nicobarese languages (Nicobar Islands), Aslian languages, and Monic languages (including Mon).
Is Laos better than Cambodia?
It’s so hard to choose between these two beautiful countries! Cambodia has magnificent temples, beaches and a fascinating and haunting past, whilst Laos offers a glimpse of the Southeast Asia of times gone by, with a wonderful sense of peace and great diversity of people.
Is Laos safe?
Crime and safety. Laos is a relatively safe country for travellers, although certain areas remain off-limits because of unexploded ordnance left over from decades of warfare. As a visitor, however, you’re an obvious target for thieves (who may include your fellow travellers), so do take necessary precautions.
What do you call people from Laos?
The correct term for people that live in Laos is ‘Laotian‘. The term ‘indigenous peoples’ is not used by the Laotian government. Instead, they refer to non-Lao people as ‘ethnic minorities’.
Is Khmer hard to learn?
Khmer is a truly difficult language for Westerners to learn, harder than Mandarin to speak, and harder than anything other than Chinese or Japanese to read. There are several difficulties. First, many of the vowel sounds are unlike anything in a European language and are only subtly different from one another.
What language is Khmer?
The Khmer language, the national language of Cambodia, is a member of the Mon-Khmer family of languages spoken over vast area of mainland South-East Asia.
Is Laos the poorest country?
Despite its growth, Laos remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with a gross domestic product equal to less than 3% of neighboring Thailand, and less than 1% of the United States. About one-third of Laos’ population are living below the poverty line.
Is the S in Laos silent?
In English, the ‘s’ is pronounced, and not silent. In the Lao language, the country’s name is Muang Lao (ເມືອງລາວ) or Pathet Lao (ປະເທດລາວ), both of which literally mean ‘Lao Country’.