Overview

A handy guide to the meanings of Welsh place names, comprising a detailed list of names, instructions on unravelling multiple elements in Welsh names, together with useful notes on pronunciation and mutations. First published in June 2001. -- Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru

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9780862435141

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The quirky title derives from Brian Davies's determination to take any mystique out of understanding Welsh place-names. He reassures the reader in the introduction that Welsh place-names are composed just like English ones often are - of words 'zipped' together like Ox-ford. A Welsh learner himself, he understands the challenge Welsh can pose with its mutations - demonstrated by Newgastle on Dyne and Meldon Fowfrey! To this end, he has provided a summary of the kinds of mutations likely to be found in place-names, as well as a 'Special Welsh Word List' highlighting the most commonly recurring words such as 'aber' and 'bryn'. There is a well thought-out and up-to-date brief history of Wales and the origin of foreign influences on Welsh place-names. Another attractive inclusion is a chart showing the relationships between Welsh and other Celtic Group languages. There is also a comparison of the English and Welsh alphabets and a guide to pronunciation, together with a brief guide to further reading, though it must be said that these works are all in Welsh. The Special Welsh Word List takes up the greater part of the book, so, in effect, what you have here is a mini-dictionary, but one that is rather easier to follow than Welsh dictionaries can be for the uninitiated. This is because Davies includes word components like 'iog' with its meaning of 'possession of/lands of'. And you will find words listed in mutated and unmutated forms like fawn/mawn - peat. A great deal of trouble has been taken not only to make place-names more accessible, but also the Welsh language itself, and although there are other excellent place-name guides available in English, one can envisage this book being particularly valuable to tourists and those whose ancestors came from Wales but who do not possess the language. Cheap (at GBP3.95) and cheerful, it's a handsome, glossy book, full of encouragement for anyone faced with an unpronounceable and complex-seeming name - it's not surprising that it has been reissued: it first appeared in 2001. The word list is not fully comprehensive: for instance you will find 'ystum' but not 'tuen', but it is a valiant effort and is highly recommended. -- Sue Passmore @ www.gwales.com

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