Wrong sounds

I have been finding it hard to pick up the Khmer language lately.  There are many sounds.

When listening to the Cambodians speak, there will be times when one will pronounce a word differently from the CD and the teachers I have been listening to.  They will make a different vowel sound, but preserve the consonants and the same number of syllables.  This is acceptable, though.  Cambodians will just dismiss this as a different accent.

When I make a different vowel sound but preserve the consonants, I am not understood.  I would have said something that does not exist in the language, or else said a word that does not make sense in the context.  I am sure I will embarass myself like this many times before coming to have a good grasp of he language.

Even if I make the right sounds, some will understand me while others will not.  Those who don't understand will to switch off my Chinese accent when speaking their language.  Those who do understand wonder why their friends give me a hard time when I am speaking clearly.  I am left bewildered at the phenomenon.

I am finding the language difficult, but I am determined to press on.