Travel by Train

In this unit, a driver and a friend deal with a car that won’t start due to a dead battery. They discuss diagnosing the problem, finding a mechanic, getting the car repaired, and the cost of repairs. The dialogue practices vocabulary for car trouble, mechanical problems, and getting help.

Basic Dialogue

Between a Driver and a Friend:

#	Cambodian	English
1	laan khñom m chɛh, pəhael oh akuy’ əh.	My car won’t start— the battery must be run down.
2	mɛc baan-tə look thaa ñceŋ?	Why do you say that?
3	baan-tə khñom thaa ñceŋ, púh faa m chɛh,, siflee m lɨɨ,, raadyou m chɛh..	The reason I say that is because the lights won’t go on, the horn won’t sound, and the radio won’t go on.
4	ñceŋ pəhael oh akuy mɛɛn’ əh.	Then I guess it really is run down.
5	nɨh’ ə, laan khñom’ ə.	Here’s my car.
6	meel deemarei’ meeh.	Try the starter once.
7	m chɛh’ teh, tɔ́l-tə róo ciaŋ’ əh.	It doesn’t start. Have to find a mechanic (before it will).
8	coh terɔ́o ciaŋ inaa’ tɨw?	Well where can we find a mechanic?
9	baat, mian garaah muoy nɨw cɨt vɔ́t peloom.	There’s a garage near Wat Pralome.
10	coh haw kee móo pəchɛh məphlɛɛt, baan’ teh?	Could we ask them to come and start it up?
11	mian ɛy?	Sure, why not.
12	kee yóo pəmaan’ tɨw.	How much will they charge for it?
13	baat, thómedaa merɔ́oy haasəp’m.	Normally it’s a hundred and fifty.
14	ñceŋ look cuun khñom tɨw məphlɛɛt, baan’ teh?	Then would you mind taking me there?
15	mian ɛy?	Why not?

Key Vocabulary

Cambodian	English
laan	car
akuy	battery
faa	lights
siflee	horn
raadyou	radio
deemarei	starter
garaah	garage
ciaŋ	mechanic
pəchɛh	to start (a machine)
chɛh	to start, to run
terɔ́o	to look for, to find
haw	to call
merɔ́oy haasəp	hundred and fifty
cuun	to take (someone)
vɔ́t peloom	Wat Pralome
oh	to be used up, run down
masin	engine
pelut	to turn off
koŋ	tire
pah	to patch

Grammar Notes

1. Two-Clause Constructions: This unit emphasizes sequences of two clauses forming a single sentence. These are characterized by conjunctions or other signals (such as modifiers referring to time or cause and effect) in the first clause, in the second clause, or in both clauses.

2. Cause with /baan-tə/: The expression /baan-tə khñom thaa ñceŋ, púh…/ means ‘The reason I say that is because…’

3. Obligation with /tɔ́l-tə/: The pattern /tɔ́l-tə/ expresses necessity, as in /tɔ́l-tə róo ciaŋ/ ‘have to find a mechanic.‘

Practice Drills

Drill A: Response — Car Problems

Cambodian	English
m teŋ’ teh, (pah)	It won’t inflate. (patch)
coh, oy kee mepah, kee yóo pəmaan’ tɨw?	Well, how much will it cost to have them come and patch it?
m suol’ eh, (thaem pèeŋ)	It doesn’t run smooth. (add oil)
coh, oy kee methaem pèeŋ, kee yóo pəmaan’ tɨw?	Well, how much will it cost to have them come and add oil?
m lien’ eh, (pdou masin)	It doesn’t run fast. (change the engine)
coh, oy kee me-pdou masin, kee yóo pəmaan’ tɨw.	Well, how much will it cost to have them come and change the engine?
m chɛh’ teh, (šaažee akuy)	It won’t start. (charge the battery)
coh, oy kee mešaažee akuy, kee yóo pəmaan’ tɨw?.	Well, how much will it cost to have them come and charge the battery?

Drill B: Substitution — Requesting Help

Cambodian	English
coh haw kee móo pəchɛh məphlɛɛt, baan’ eh?	Well, could we call them to come and start it?
coh haw kee móo pah məphlɛɛt, baan’ eh?	Well, could we call them to come and patch it?
ñceŋ look cuoy pah məphlɛɛt, baan’ eh?	Then could you help me to patch it?
ñceŋ look cuoy ruñ məphlɛɛt, baan’ eh?	Then could you help me to push it?
ñceŋ look cuoy pdou masin məphlɛɛt, baan’ eh?	Then could you help me to change the engine?