The Sdok Kak Thom Inscription was cut into a tall stone stele recovered in the late 19th century from the ruins of a temple now on the Thai side of the frontier with Cambodia. Dating from A.D. 1052, it proved to be one of the fullest specimens of Cambodian epigraphy and of incomparable value for the reconstruction of early Cambodian history.

In the course of a century, the inscription has been described and analyzed by historians and Sanskritists, but has not been exploited for its surpassing linguistic interest. The inscription consists, typically, of two parts: 194 lines in Sanskrit, 146 lines in Old Khmer. For the first time, my study describes the grammatical structure of the Old Khmer part. Because the two parts are interdependent, the Sanskrit text is not excluded but is treated briefly.

The volume opens with an Introduction and a chapter presenting the main features of Old Khmer grammar. A second chapter presents a free translation of both parts of the text, followed by a short chapter presenting the Sanskrit text with a closer translation. The main body of the work presents the Old Khmer text, passage by passage, with description of the structure of each and close translation. The study closes with a glossary of the Old Khmer text and a bibliography of works consulted.