A LEADING translator from Aberporth has called for the amendment of certain road signs to bring them into line with a list of place names published by the Welsh Language Commissioner.
The list, which offers the standardised spellings for the names of villages, towns and cities, has been described as a ‘dictionary’ that people can use to check the spelling of Welsh place names.
Among nearly 3,000 names on the list is the revelation that Llanon should be Llan-non, with Aberporth becoming Aber-porth.
“It’s high time this issue was addressed,” Mary Jones told the Cambrian News.
“If you’re going to follow these suggestions to the end then of course road signs and letterheads will have to be changed.
“But of course local authorities are going to say it’ll cost a lot of money and that they’ll get round to renewing these signs further down the line.
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
During the Urdd Eisteddfod, visitors were invited to test the list at the Commissioner’s stand. By the end of the week, over 750 pins had been put on the map to indicate that the name of a town or village was on the list, and any names that appeared to be ‘missing’ are in the process of being added.
Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws said: “Many of us will have personal opinions about how to write the names of places in our home turf and it is possible that not everyone will agree with each recommendation on the list.
“We do not intend to force these spellings, but rather offer recommendations, with the view to promoting consistency in the way we spell place names across Wales in official contexts.”
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