When I first arrived in Cambodia in 2003, I lived with a local family for four years. During this time, I became fluent in everyday Khmer but also read extensively and thus became comfortable engaging in extensive discussions on all subjects of life.

In 2008 I began working as a Khmer Interpreter with a high-profile international organization - the  International Committee of the Red Cross. From 2007-2018, a period in which my personal responsibilities grew considerably, I acquired truly professional Khmer reading / writing / speaking abilities. As deputy head of mission, I oversaw the preparation of highly sensitive, confidential reports for submission to the Royal Government of Cambodia and directly handled negotiations with senior authorities of the government on humanitarian issues of concern to the ICRC. 

99% of the translations I have seen out there (English - Khmer - English) contain mistakes and most worringly, are often incomprehensible for the reader. Standard forms and documents are one thing. But if translating a report or letter - a document that contains substance where intended meaning is nuanced and thus can easily be lost - I take great care to think, re-think, and re-formulate again until I feel the intent of the original language is honored. My translations are meticulous, but NOT mechanical. Preferring that the final product be something the reader will understand as intended by the original author, my translations are more of an art than a science. 

Because of the time it takes to prepare translations that actually honor meaning and value readability, my rates may be higher than others. 

If you care about ensuring the person receiving your document understands what you want to say, I invite you to give my services a chance. One final note: if you engage with me, please be ready to exchange with me while I am preparing the translation. This is because if ever I am not confident that I understand what was meant by something that has been said, I will seek clarification.

Elijah