| We have chosen to call the journal Udaya. This word,
of Sanskrit origin, but Khmericized since ancient times,
signifies "the rising sun", and by extension,
"prosperity, success". In the context of contemporary
Cambodia, it has added the advantage of suggesting rebirth.
The journal publishes research on Cambodia in all domains
of the human sciences. Each issue includes two principal
types of original contributions:
1. In-depth articles (reflection and synthesis). Each
edition includes between three and four articles. Senior
theses from Phnom Penh's Department of Archaeology (Royal
University of Fine Arts) may be chosen for editing in view
of publication in article form in the journal. This ensures
that one or more articles of each edition will be composed
directly in Khmer.
2. "Monographs" presenting unprocessed data resulting
from field research. This may include data collected, for
example, by archaeologists, ethnologists, health or social
workers.
Each edition also includes a translation into Khmer of
an article concerning Khmer culture published in the past
and chosen for its particular importance in the domain (e.g.
Cœdès' "Etudes cambodgiennes").
The journal attempts to respond to a bi-fold void in publications
concerning Khmer culture.
There is, firstly, very little substantial reading material
currently published in the Khmer language. Virtually all
scientific research on Khmer culture appears in foreign
languages, particularly French, English and Japanese. The
material is moreover dispersed in different periodicals
or books which are often difficult to attain, and which
go rapidly out of print. The little that is published in
Khmer rarely undergoes scholarly or professional supervision,
and generally lacks solid scientific foundations. Though
translations, particularly of applied research carried out
in the NGO context, are relatively common now, the same
lack of scientific and linguistic foundations more often
than not renders the translated text incomprehensible to
a native Khmer speaker. For these many reasons, Khmer students,
scholars and professionals have relatively limited access
to tools essential for developing critical knowledge of
their own culture. Udaya aims to progressively fill this
void in Khmer reading materials by publishing articles written
directly in Khmer under the supervision of recognized scholars
and professionals, as well as carefully adapted translations
of foreign language texts. The publication of the Khmer
version of Angkor. A Manual for the Past, Present and Future
demonstrates the importance of this endeavor. This is the
first full-length book on Angkor ever to be translated into
Khmer; with numerous additions meant to illuminate the issues
discussed for the Khmer reader, the translation could in
fact be called an adaptation of the original.
Secondly, the journal aims to fill a void in foreign language
materials concerning Khmer culture. No single forum for
publications in this domain currently exists. Both national
and international readers will benefit immensely from a
regular exchange of information in easily accessible form.
The bi- or tri-lingual nature of the journal will encourage
readers to consult materials in a foreign language which
may otherwise be neglected. The journal's targeted readership
is diverse, including both national and international students,
scholars and professionals. It is precisely in view of facilitating
an open union of this community of people interested in
Khmer culture that the journal is conceived. Directed toward
a national and international readership, the journal aims
to elevate the level of reflection in both communities,
and also to unite them. |
