Austroasiatic

/ˌɔːstrəʊeɪʒiˈætɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to a major language family of Southeast Asia that includes Vietnamese, Khmer, and many other languages spoken in the region.

Etymology

From austro- (southern) + Asiatic (relating to Asia). Linguists created this classification term in the 20th century to group geographically and linguistically connected language families.

Kelly Says

This language family connects over 170 million people across Vietnam, Cambodia, and beyond through ancient linguistic roots—it's one of the world's major language families that most English speakers have never heard of.

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