- Hardcover: 872 pages
- Publisher: Christopher Davies Publishers; 8th Ed edition (Sep 1987)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0715405438
- ISBN-13: 978-0715405437
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
556,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #75 in Books > Languages > By Language > Other European Languages > Celtic Languages > Dictionaries
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Product Description
Product Description
This perennial bestseller continues to be a valuable resource in schools, homes and colleges. This Dictionary is divided into two main sections: namely (i) meanings of Welsh words in Welsh and in English, giving the gender, plural and part of speech; (ii) meaning of English words in Welsh. In addition, the volume contains glossaries in Welsh-English and English-Welsh of personal names, place names, animals, birds, fish, plants, flowers and fruits. Incorporated in the body of the Dictionary are many important old Welsh words as well as modern technical terms. This Dictionary will always be an essential volume in the library of every student of the Welsh Language and its Literature
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Although Messrs. Evans and Thomas point out that Welsh is a living language, the last update of this dictionary was in 1968, so there are one or two words which you might have trouble locating.
Nevertheless, the words and definitions are tightly packed, and for the student of the language, it is an eminently useful tome. (I write as a Scot who worked in Wales for a couple of years and made an abortive attempt to learn the language.) The dictionary's organisation is basic - the first half presents you with a Welsh to English translation, the second half, English to Welsh.
Perhaps the major failing, however, is the limited number of words listed against each definition. "Y Geiriadur Mawr" lacks the sophistication of more modern dictionaries - inevitable, really, given its 'minority' status. English, French, Spanish dictionaries, for instance, are going to sell in their thousands the world over; even Scottish or Irish Gaelic may sell to a wider market, given their North American appeal. So, perhaps, there hasn't been the investment necessary to update and expand this tome more regularly.
Welsh, meanwhile, remains a beautiful, poetic language, and deserves to be supported by a range of dictionaries and thesauri. Evans and Thomas are right - it is a living language. As a Scot I can envy the Welsh and their ability to support their language - even if there is a degree of political/cultural divide. An excellent book, but limited, and one which deserves to be thoroughly revised.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Lets not forget what this book is. It is a bilingual English to Welsh, Welsh to English Dictionary. It never will give as comprehensive coverage of a minority language as an Oxford dictionary will of English.
Stage set, and you are looking for this type of dictionary. This is the largest and most comprehensive that you can buy. There is the Welsh academy Dictionary which is larger but only translates English to Welsh.
There are appendices on many subject areas (for me as en ecology student the plant and animal section is particularly useful). I have also been told (by my Welsh University) that this dictionary will be sufficient to help me write my dissertation yn Gymraeg. Which is an ambition of mine, as an English man.
My logic works like this; this dictionary contains sufficient vocabulary to write a final year degree essay with, is the largest 'both way' Welsh dictionary you can buy, therefore has the most words and recognises both North and South Walian dialect.
There are more 'modern' dictionaries that contain a lot more 'wenglish' than this, if that's what you are after then buy them. They also happen to be smaller and lighter than this book too. If you are after a dictionary that will almost always have the word you are looking for in it then this is the only one that will do the job.
Which, in my opinion, makes it the best.
Stage set, and you are looking for this type of dictionary. This is the largest and most comprehensive that you can buy. There is the Welsh academy Dictionary which is larger but only translates English to Welsh.
There are appendices on many subject areas (for me as en ecology student the plant and animal section is particularly useful). I have also been told (by my Welsh University) that this dictionary will be sufficient to help me write my dissertation yn Gymraeg. Which is an ambition of mine, as an English man.
My logic works like this; this dictionary contains sufficient vocabulary to write a final year degree essay with, is the largest 'both way' Welsh dictionary you can buy, therefore has the most words and recognises both North and South Walian dialect.
There are more 'modern' dictionaries that contain a lot more 'wenglish' than this, if that's what you are after then buy them. They also happen to be smaller and lighter than this book too. If you are after a dictionary that will almost always have the word you are looking for in it then this is the only one that will do the job.
Which, in my opinion, makes it the best.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have been learning Welsh for about three years now after retiring and now living in Wales. Now I have a basic understanding of the structure of the language I have found my original learner's dictionary, although excellent, no longer contains some of the vocabulary I require. After consultation with my tutor and visits to various booksellers, this publication appeared to be the most suitable for me. Since purchasing the book it has not disappointed and I am finding it an extremely valuable and comprehensive tool. I find it easy to follow and it is giving me a much greater scope with my Welsh and a better ability to use compound words. Also really useful are the appendices containing personal and place names, animals etc and really valuable lists of prefixes and suffixes.
All in all a very comprehensive tool for Welsh learners after they have learnt some basics of the Welsh language and a very good follow on for the learner's Modern Welsh Dictionary by Gareth King. Excellent value for money too!
All in all a very comprehensive tool for Welsh learners after they have learnt some basics of the Welsh language and a very good follow on for the learner's Modern Welsh Dictionary by Gareth King. Excellent value for money too!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Exactly as expected.
I ordered this because it's the same one we use in school, and it's perfect for A level standard. It came exactly as I expected it to; the sleeve it a bit battered around the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by thediamondunicorn
One for the desk, not the briefcase
It's called 'The Big Dictionary' but I'd class it as a standard, desk dictionary. Certainly too large to carry around but, when I think of the size of some of the dictionaries on... Read more
Published 22 months ago by J. Kirkham
One for the desk, not the briefcase
It's called 'The Big Dictionary' but I'd class it as a standard, desk dictionary. Certainly too large to carry around but, when I think of the size of some of the dictionaries on... Read more
Published 22 months ago
Geiriadur da
Mae'r Geiriadur Mawr yn ddefnyddiol os ydych chi'n astudio hen lenyddiaeth gyda geirfa hen ffasiwn, ond gan na ddiweddarwyd ef ers blynyddoedd, nid y geiriadur gorau ar gyfer... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2008 by Barry Taylor
Geiriadur dda, ond gwnewch yn siwr bod un arall gennych chi
Mae'r geiriadur yma yn un dda, ond does dim digon o geirfa genno fo, felly prynwch geiriadur bach hefyd.
Published on 30 May 1999
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