This brand new dictionary, containing some 12,000 Welsh and English idiomatic phrases, is sure to be of interest to both Welsh speakers and learners. The phrases included range from those which are true idioms in both languages and cannot be translated literally - such as chwerthin yn ei dwrn: to laugh up her sleeve - to those where only the use of a preposition is different or peculiar - such as amneidio ar rywun: to beckon to somone. Many of the other phrases contain a peculiarity of vocabulary, word order or tense, which means that they cannot be translated word for word. This is a dictionary which will allow you to look up such diverse Welsh phrases as achub y blaen arnyn nhw, blwyddyn gron, corff yr eglwys, dan ei sang, elwa ar ..., Gorau oll!, mewn bri, siarad fel pwll y mor or wedi chwythu ei phlwc; or to see how to translate such English idioms as all and sundry, cat's whiskers, get a fair crack of the whip, in the nick of time, Mum's the word!, on the off chance, stick out like a sore thumb or throw down the gauntlet. An important aim of this dictionary is to help those learning Welsh to make the difficult transition from idiomatic usage in English to idiomatic usage in Welsh, and it will very quickly earn its place as an invaluable tool in that learning process. However, there is little doubt that it will be of great value to many whose first language is Welsh and to those who are studying in universities, colleges and Welsh-medium schools.
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'... the most comprehensive and most thorough dictionary of its type currently available...a reference work and learning tool which will be of great value to all students of Welsh at all levels, to translators, and to first-language Welsh speakers wishing to improve their command of both languages...essential stock, to all academic, reference and lending libraries in Wales, and to libraries anywhere with an interest in Wales, Celtic Studies, Linguistics.' Reference Reviews
About the Author
Alun Rhys Cownie is a retired university lecturer. He was born in Cardiff and now lives in Pwllheli, where he has learnt Welsh.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Broga
Format:Paperback
I first came across this book, given to me as a present by a native Welsh speaker, and the book has been in regular use ever since. As a supplement to reading Welsh novels, which I do all the time, the book is both a source of knowledge and inspiration. I have been learning Welsh for 15 years and I am now fluent in speaking, reading and writing. Welsh is not an easy language to learn and, even using a dictionary, looking up a simple word is often made difficult by the mutations of the language. As an example the simple word cath (cat) may appear as gath, nghath, chath. The problem is increased with idioms which often cannot be translated literally and may have their source in agriculture from a rural life long gone, or in religion.
However, given some progress in Welsh, and perhaps if you enjoy browsing through idioms, as I do, this book will provide you with pleasure, insights into a rich culture and knowledge.
However, given some progress in Welsh, and perhaps if you enjoy browsing through idioms, as I do, this book will provide you with pleasure, insights into a rich culture and knowledge.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By David Hill
Format:Paperback
i have now been learning welsh for about 2 years, and whilst not entirely fluent, i can converse reasonably well with many of my friends who are first language speakers. A year ago i thought i'd try and become a touch more colloquial and, to this end, bought this book. So what can i say about the book? How has it helped me? Well, the short answer is that it really really hasn't. I've looked up phrases in novels, from transcripts, song lyrics, snatches of conversations, even idioms that i've learnt directly from the mouths of fluent first language speakers and, to date, i have still not found one of these phrases in this book. What's more, when i've taken phrases from the book and applied them, they've been met with, at best, amusement for their complete lack of idiomatic use. don't get me wrong- if you were a beginner in the tongue and wanted to know how using 'wedi..' affects certain verbs, then it's all in their. Unfortunately, i had learnt that within my first 6 weeks of class, so it was no help to me. My advice: skip past this one and invest in a good dictionary instead- you'll find far more useful and applicable idioms under many of the entries there.
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By wynn545
Format:Paperback
The book I purchased was despatched and received within the quoted times. The condition of the book was as described and I am fully satisfied with the service I received.
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