Grammar

Language is your most important tool as a translator/interpreter, and therefore knowing how to use it is essential.

Your knowledge of grammar can influence your style and syntax, and most of all your control of the language!

All translators/interpreters should have a strong grasp of grammar or, if uncertain, should know where to obtain information on the subject. Having grammar books and websites to hand are key to ensure accuracy, as gut instinct is not always correct. Translators/interpreters should be able to justify their use of language, even if there is more than one solution.

Suggested below is a short list of grammar guides and specific linguistic reference books. Everyone has a favourite, therefore you should browse through them to find which is best suited to you.

Language and grammar books

A Comprehensive Welsh Grammar/Gramadeg Cymraeg Cynhwysfawr

David A. Thorne, Blackwell, 1993

Canllawiau Iaith a Chymorth Sillfau

J. Elwyn Hughes, Gwasg Gomer, 1997, 2000

Canllawiau Ysgrifennu Cymraeg

J. Elwyn Hughes, Gwasg Gomer, 1998

Cywiriadur Cymraeg

Morgan D. Jones, Gwasg Gomer, 1965

Elfennau Gramadeg Cymraeg

Stephen J. Williams, Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, 1980

Gafael mewn Gramadeg

David A. Thorne, Gwasg Gomer, 2000

Gramadeg y Gymraeg

Peter Wynn Thomas, Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, 1996

Iawn Bob Tro

Dafydd Glyn Jones, Dalen Newydd Cyf.

Idiomau Cymraeg - Y Llyfr Cyntaf

R. E. Jones, Ty John Penri, 1995

Idiomau Cymraeg - Yr Ail Lyfr

R. E. Jones, Ty John Penri, 1987

Orgraff yr Iaith Gymraeg Rhan 11

Ceri W. Lewis, Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, 1987

The Oxford Minidictionary of Spelling and Word-division

Oxford University Press, 1986

Pa Arddodiad?

D. Geraint Lewis, Gwasg Gomer, 2000

Y Golygiadur

Rhiannon Ifans, Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion, 2006

Y Llyfr Berfau

D. Geraint Lewis, Gwasg Gomer, 1995

Y Treigladau a’u Cystrawen

T.J. Morgan, Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, 1989

Y Treigladur

D. Geraint Lewis, Gwasg Gomer, 1993

Ymarfer Ysgrifennu Cymraeg

Gwyn Thomas, Y Lolfa, 2015

Editing

The Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors

Oxford University Press, 1981

Hart’s Rules for Compositors and Readers at the University Press Oxford

Oxford University Press, 1983

Editing and Revising for Translators

Brian Mossop, St Jerome, 2006

Courses and language improvement exercises

Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru, from time to time, arranges workshops on grammar. Please see our workshop page.

Some of the Welsh for Adult centres offer language improvement courses on request. The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offers an on-line Welsh language certificate course to its students.

Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru is part funded by the Welsh Government.