The Heartbeat – Culture & Context

Module 5: The Heartbeat – Culture & Context Language is more than just words; it's a window into the soul of a culture. In this module, you will learn the crucial cultural context that gives meaning to the Khmer language. Understanding these concepts will help you communicate with respect, avoid misunderstandings, and form deeper connections with Cambodian people. Pronunciation Engine Status: Initializing... Lesson 5.1: The Sampeah (សំពះ): Levels of Greeting and Respect The សំពះ (sampeah) is the traditional Cambodian greeting and gesture of respect. It involves placing your palms together like in prayer. The height of your hands and the deepness of your bow indicate the level of respect you are showing. Level Hand Position Used For Level 1 Chest level Friends, peers, people of the same age. Level 2 Mouth level Older relatives, bosses, people of higher rank. Level 3 Nose level Parents, grandparents, elders. Level 4 Eyebrow level Monks and the King. Level 5 Forehead level Praying to God or sa…