This guide adapts rules and examples from Microsoft’s Welsh Localization Style Guide (originally written for software/UI localization). The underlying linguistic rules apply universally — to legal contracts, medical documents, marketing copy, and any Welsh translation work. Restructured and reformatted as a general Welsh translator reference by ChatsControl.

Welsh Translation Style Guide — Voice, Word Choice & Common Pitfalls (Legal, Medical, Marketing, IT)¶

TL;DR¶

• Welsh uses polite 2nd person -wch forms — never familiar -i forms in consumer-facing content.
• Yes/No is context-dependent — use Iawn for OK/Yes where possible, Na for No, Ydw for ‘Are you sure’.
• Mutations are a Welsh peculiarity — feminine singular nouns trigger soft mutation in following adjectives; compounds: second part mutates.
• Don’t use ampersand; no comma before final ‘a’/’neu’ in lists; no periods in abbreviations.
• Reference Gramadeg y Gymraeg, Orgraff yr Iaith Gymraeg, Y Golygiadur, TermCymru, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru.

Register and tone for modern Welsh translation¶

Register is the level of formality, warmth, and conversational ease the target text projects. Three principles define the modern Welsh register for consumer-facing content:

• Warm and relaxed. Natural, less formal, more grounded in honest conversations.
• Crisp and clear. Written for scanning first, reading second. Sentences short enough to parse on a phone screen.
• Ready to help. Anticipates what the reader needs and offers it at the right moment.

The general style should be clear, friendly, and concise. The intended audience is not just teenagers — avoid technical jargon AND overly colloquial language. Present information as simply as possible.

Why this matters: Bureaucratic register damages outcomes across spheres. In marketing copy it kills conversion. In patient-facing medical materials it reduces comprehension and compliance. In software UI it creates friction. In consumer-facing legal documents (terms of service, privacy notices) regulators increasingly demand plain language.

Polite 2nd person forms¶

Use the polite 2nd person (-wch forms) to address the user — never the familiar -i forms.

English	Welsh translation
You are now connected to the Internet.	(+) Rydych nawr wedi’ch cysylltu â’r Rhyngrwyd / (-) Rwyt ti nawr wedi dy gysylltu â’r Rhyngrwyd
Type your name	(+) Teipiwch eich enw / (-) Teipia dy enw
Are you sure you want to exit Setup?	(+) Ydych chi’n siŵr eich bod am adael y broses gosod? / (-) Wyt ti’n siŵr dy fod am adael y broses gosod?

Impersonal forms¶

The impersonal may be used in past tense (-wyd forms). Less familiar in present tense (-ir forms). In present sense, the verb noun form may be used. If strings must be truncated, the impersonal may be used in present tense.

English	Welsh translation
The message has been sent	(+) Anfonwyd y neges / (-) Mae’r neges wedi’i hanfon
The message is being sent	(+) Mae’r neges wrthi’n cael ei hanfon / (-) Anfonir y neges

Yes and No¶

The translation of Yes and No depends on the question — no single word works in every context. Use “Iawn” (OK) instead of various translations of “Yes” where possible. For negative, “Na” (short form) usually works.

English	Welsh translation
Yes	(+) Iawn
OK	(+) Iawn
No	(+) Na

Exception: when asked “are you sure you wish to do something” — use “Ydw”.

Active vs. passive sentences¶

Use active/direct sentences — subject performs the act. Passive sentences (something happens to the subject) can confuse users.

Active	Passive
(+) Mae’r cyfrifiadur yn cau.	(-) Cafodd y cyfrifiadur ei gau.
(+) Cadwodd y rhaglen y ffeil	(-) Cafodd y rhaglen ei chadw gan y ffeil.

Word choice¶

Use approved terminology consistently from provided reference materials (TermCymru, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru).

en-US source term	Welsh word	Usage
app	ap	rhaglen used for program and application
stuff	stwff

Words and phrases to avoid¶

Welsh word/phrase to avoid	Preferred Welsh word/phrase
Fodd bynnag	Ond
Cyflawni	Gwneud
Caffael	Cael
Cyrchu	Cael gafael ar
Ynglŷn â Microsoft	Manylion Microsoft
ailgychwyn	bwtio
gyriant fflach USB	cof bach

Inclusive language¶

Microsoft technology reaches every part of the globe — communications must be inclusive.

Use this	Not this
arbenigwr	gwrw
cydweithwyr; pawb	bois; boneddigion a boneddigesau
rhiant	mam neu dad

Avoid gender bias¶

Use gender-neutral alternatives. Avoid compounds containing gender-specific terms (dyn, menyw).

Use this	Not this
Person / Pobl	Dyn / Menyw
Plentyn / Plant	Bachgen / Merch

For generalization, use plural noun forms (pobl, unigolion, myfyrwyr).

Don’t use gendered pronouns (ei, hi, e) in generic references. Instead:

• Rewrite using second/third person (chi/ti or un).
• Use plural noun and pronoun.
• Use articles instead of pronouns (y ddogfen instead of ei ddogfen).
• Refer to a person’s role (darllenydd, gweithiwr, cwsmer, cleient).
• Use person or unigolyn.

Use this	Not this
Mae angen i ddatblygwyr gael mynediad at weinyddion yn eu hamgylcheddau datblygu, ond nid oes angen mynediad arnynt i’r gweinyddwyr yn Azure.	Mae angen i ddatblygwr gael mynediad at weinyddion yn ei amgylchedd datblygu, ond nid oes angen mynediad arno i’r gweinyddwyr yn Azure.
Pan fydd yr awdur yn agor y ddogfen ….	Pan fydd yr awdur yn agor ei dogfen ….
I ffonio rhywun, dewiswch enw’r person, dewiswch Gwnewch alwad ffôn, ac yna dewiswch y rhif yr hoffech ei ddeialu.	I ffonio rhywun, dewiswch ei enw, dewiswch Gwneud galwad ffôn, ac yna dewiswch ei rif.

Avoid sentences referring to a single person of unknown gender. When unavoidable, do NOT use “he or she”, “him or her”, or “his or hers”. Avoid slash combining genders except in exceptional cases (License Terms, table headers) where ef/hi may be used.

Accessibility¶

Focus on people, not disabilities. Don’t use words that imply pity (dioddef o). Don’t mention a disability unless relevant.

Use this	Not this
person heb anabledd	person arferol; person iach
Dewis	Clicio

Spell out a, plws, am — screen readers misread &, +, ~.

Language-specific standards¶

Abbreviations¶

No periods in Welsh abbreviations. Extended characters not used in abbreviated forms.

Expression	Acceptable Abbreviation
er enghraifft	(+) ee / (-) e.e.
hynny yw	(+) hy / (-) h.y.
ac yn y blaen	(+) ayb / (-) a.y.b.
dalier sylw	(+) ds / (-) d.s.
ôl nodyn	(+) on / (-) o.n. / (-) ôn

Use non-breaking space in any abbreviation. If NBSP not available (Help files), write without space.

Measurement abbreviations¶

Use full term in Welsh where possible.

Measurement	English abbreviation	Welsh abbreviation	Comment
Gigabyte	GB	GB
Gigabit	GBit	GDid
Kilobyte	KB	KB
Kilobit	KBit	KDid
Megabyte	MB	MB
Megabit	MBit	MDid
Terabyte	TB	TB
Terabit	TBit	TDid
Bits per second	Bit/s	Did/e	Use same type for similar measurements (frames per second → F/s)
Megabits per second	MBit/s or Mbps	MDid/e
Kilobits per second	KBit/s or Kbps	KDid/e
Bytes per second	B/s	B/e
Megabytes per second	MB/s	MB/e
Kilobytes per second	KB/s	KB/e
Point	Pt.	Pt.	No plural form
Inch	“	“	Acceptable in packaging and tables, not body text

Don’t abbreviate any other words in Welsh.

Acronyms¶

Don’t include a generic term after an acronym if one of the letters stands for that term:

• (-) Galwad RPC
• (-) Iaith HTML
• (-) Protocol TCP/IP
• (-) Rhif PIN

Localized acronyms¶

Only DU (UK) and UDA (USA) should be localized.

en-US source	Welsh target
UK	DU
USA	UDA

Unlocalized acronyms¶

All other acronyms remain in English: ANSI, ISO, ISDN, etc.

Adjectives¶

Welsh adjectives have masculine (bachgen cryf), feminine (merch gref), and plural (ceffylau cryfion) forms. Plural/feminine only when very familiar.

Soft mutation occurs in adjective following singular feminine noun.

en-US source	Welsh target
Control Panel	(+) Panel Rheoli / (-) Panel Reolaethol
Recovery System	(+) System Adfer / (-) System Adferol

Possessive adjectives¶

Frequent possessives are English feature. For Welsh see Pronouns section — generally omitted.

Articles¶

Three forms of article in Welsh: yr, y, ‘r. Used to make a noun specific.

en-US source	Welsh target
Change the visual effects and the sounds on the PC	Newid effeithiau gweledol a’r synau ar y cyfrifiadur

In phrases with “this” where object is obvious, Welsh “this” may be omitted (if no ambiguity):

en-US source	Welsh target
Delete this file	(+) Dileu’r ffeil / (-) Dileu’r ffeil hon

Microsoft product names and translated feature names used without articles:

en-US source	Welsh target
Microsoft Defender	Microsoft Defender
Calculator	Cyfrifannell
Paint	Paent

English borrowed terms:

en-US source	Welsh target
Enter a valid URL.	Rhowch URL dilys.

Capitalization¶

Follow English practice — but English source over-capitalizes. Don’t mimic the source; use Welsh spelling conventions. Over-capitalization is awkward and creates UI inconsistencies.

Electronic terminology not usually capitalized in Welsh:

en-US source	Welsh target
E-mail	(+) e-bost
E-mail (verb)	(+) e-bostio
Website	(+) gwefan
web	(+) y we

Exceptions: y Rhyngrwyd, y We Fyd-eang.

Don’t apply English heading rules (capitalize all nouns/pronouns/adjectives/verbs/adverbs). Follow normal Welsh capitalization rules:

en-US source	Welsh target
Switching between Windows	(+) Newid rhwng Windows / (-) Newid Rhwng Windows

Compounds¶

Compounds should be understandable and clear. Nouns, adjectives, pronouns, verb-nouns, and prepositions may be compounded into single words. Second part of the compound is mutated.

en-US source	Welsh target
Hibernate	(+) Trwmgysgu
Invert	(+) Gwrthdroi
Metadata	(+) Metaddata
Shuffle	(+) Hapdrefnu
AutoCorrect	(+) Awtogywiro

Hyphen rule: generally needed when second element is one syllable; not needed when more than one syllable.

Examples
Di-waith vs. Diweithdra
Cyd-fynd vs. Cydadolygiad
Gor-ddweud vs. gorweithio

Exceptions: ad- + words beginning with t (ad-drefnu); cyd- meaning fellow/joint (cyd-bwyllgor).

Hyphen after these adjectives: ail-, arch-, blaen-, cam-, lled-, ôl-, pen-, prif- (and uwch-, is- when referring to organisation or job).

Exceptions: Prifysgol, Prifddinas (one word); Prif Weinydd (two words).

Hyphen always after prefix e-: e-bost, e-bostio, e-lywodraeth.

en-US source	Welsh target
Internet Accounts	(+) Cyfrifon Rhyngrwyd
Logon script processing	(+) Prosesu sgript Mewngofnodi
Internet News Server Name	(+) Enw Gweinydd Newyddion Rhyngrwyd

Compounds with product/component names¶

Product names (trademarked) remain unchanged. Additions added with hyphen or periphrastic construction. Component name comes BEFORE the product name in Welsh.

en-US source	Welsh target
Windows password	(+) Cyfrinair Windows
Microsoft Word document	(+) Dogfen Microsoft Word
Microsoft SQL Server database	(+) Cronfa Ddata Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft Dynamics 365 product family	(+) Teulu cynnyrch Microsoft Dynamics 365

Compounds with acronyms, abbreviations, numerals¶

Abbreviations always left in English; component names translated.

en-US source	Welsh target
USB drive	(+) gyriant USB
2-D gridlines	(+) llinellau grid 2-D
24 bit color value	(+) gwerth lliw 24 did

Plural abbreviations use -s ending (not -au):

en-US source	Welsh target
URLs	(+) URLs / (-) URLau
USBs	(+) USBs / (-) USBau

Contractions¶

Where one word ends in vowel and following word begins with vowel, an apostrophe joins them (omitting one vowel). The definite article “y” replaced by “r” after a vowel.

en-US source text	Welsh long form	Welsh contracted form
Color of	Lliw y	Lliw’r
Has been	Wedi ei	Wedi’i
File name	Enw y ffeil	Enw’r ffeil

Conjunctions¶

Welsh modern voice prefers simpler conjunctions:

Welsh old	Welsh new
yn yr un modd â	fel
unwaith y byddwch chi wedi	pan
oherwydd	felly
o achos	gan
os byddwch chi byth yn	os
hyd oni byddwch yn	nes
a chithau wedi	ar ôl

Genitive¶

Some noun phrases may be adjectival or genitive. Following a feminine noun, an adjective takes soft mutation; a genitive does not mutate. Example: merch wen (adjectival) vs. merch Gwen (genitive). Use soft mutation only where adjectival sense is unambiguous: neges rydd (adjectival) but neges rhybudd (genitive).

en-US source	Welsh target
Action Center	Canolfan Gweithredu

Localizing colloquialisms, idioms, and metaphors¶

Three options:

1. Don’t replace source colloquialism with Welsh unless perfect fit.
2. Translate intended meaning if integral.
3. If omittable without affecting meaning, omit.

Modifiers (mutations)¶

Mutations are a Welsh peculiarity — first-letter changes following grammar rules. Rephrase menus to avoid grammatical mutations where possible.

In bulleted lists, only the first bullet should be mutated if necessary. If letters/numbers used, letter/number is part of text — first bullet should NOT be mutated.

en-US source	Welsh target
Selecting this will enable you to either • shut your computer down • allow the user to log off	(+) Wrth ddewis hwn gallwch naill ai • gau eich cyfrifiadur • caniatáu i’r defnyddiwr adael
Selecting this will enable you to either a) shut your computer down b) allow the user to log off	(+) Wrth ddewis hwn gallwch naill ai a) cau eich cyfrifiadur b) caniatáu i’r defnyddiwr adael
Selecting this will enable you to either 1. shut your computer down 2. allow the user to log off	(+) Wrth ddewis hwn gallwch naill ai 1. cau eich cyfrifiadur 2. caniatáu i’r defnyddiwr adael

Consult Y Golygiadur for required mutations.

Nouns¶

Welsh nouns: masculine, feminine, or plural. Singular form always follows a number. Loan words follow Welsh syntactic and morphological rules.

en-US source	Welsh target
Delete the format.	(+) Dileu’r fformat hwn.
Format this word.	(+) Fformatio’r gair hwn.
Invalid formats.	(+) Fformatau annilys.
Please format this file.	(+) Fformatiwch y ffeil hon.
this library	y llyfrgell hon
this picture	y llun hwn

Plural formation¶

en-US source	Welsh target
Clients	(+) Cleientiaid
Blogs	(+) Blogiau
Engines	(+) Injans
Formats	(+) Fformatiau
Diagrams	(+) Diagramau

Prepositions¶

When translating “to” for emails, use “at” (person) not “i” (place). For page numbers, use “i”. Use â/ag after peidio. No preposition “ar” after cliciwch.

Consult Pa Arddodiad? by D. Geraint Lewis for verb+preposition list.

Source	Welsh
migrate to	(+) mudo i
migrate from	(+) mudo o
import to	(+) mewngludo i
import from	(+) mewngludo o
export to	(+) allgludo i
export from	(+) allgludo o
update to	(+) diweddaru i
upgrade to	(+) uwchraddio i
change to	(+) newid i
click on	(+) clicio
connect to	(+) cysylltu â
welcome to …	(+) Croeso! Dyma
do not	(+) peidio â
from 3 to 6 days	(+) rhwng 3 a 6 diwrnod / (-) o 3 i 6 diwrnod

Source	Welsh	Comment
in the toolbar	(+) yn y bar offer
on the tab	(+) ar y tab
on the menu	(+) yn y ddewislen
on the net	(+) ar y Rhyngrwyd	ar y fewnrwyd (if intranet)
on the Internet	(+) ar y Rhyngrwyd
on the Web	(+) ar y we
on a web site	(+) ar wefan
on a web page	(+) ar dudalen we

Pronouns¶

Frequent possessives are English feature. In Welsh, avoid possessive adjectives — follow omission from “My Computer”, “My Documents”.

Source	Welsh	Comment
File already exists / The file already exists / This file already exists	(+) Mae’r ffeil eisoes yn bodoli	Use determiners consistently even if source doesn’t.
Not enough memory to complete this operation.	(+) Does dim digon o gof i wneud hyn.	No need for demonstrative unless important.
Windows cannot start your system. If the problem persists, contact your network administrator.	(+) All Windows ddim dechrau’r system. Os bydd y broblem yn parhau, holwch weinyddwr y rhwydwaith.	Avoid “your” unless ownership matters.

Common pronoun errors:

en-US source	Welsh target
Files you have saved	(+) ffeiliau rydych wedi’u cadw / (-) ffeiliau rydych wedi cadw
I was shocked	(+) roeddwn wedi fy syfrdanu / (-) roeddwn wedi’m syfrdanu
As noted in the instructions	(+) fel y nodwyd yn y cyfarwyddiadau / (-) fel a nodwyd yn y cyfarwyddiadau
Terms agreed in setup	(+) telerau y cytunir arnynt yn y broses gosod / (-) telerau a gytunir arnynt yn y broses gosod
Any comments you have	(+) Unrhyw sylwadau a fydd gennych / (-) Unrhyw sylwadau y bydd gennych

Punctuation¶

Open punctuation practices preferred — use as little unnecessary punctuation as possible. No semicolon at end of bullet points. Don’t punctuate address in letters, nor “Annwyl…” greeting, nor “Yn gywir…”.

Bulleted lists¶

Only first bullet mutated if necessary. If letters/numbers used, first bullet not mutated.

Comma¶

Commas before “a” and “neu” in list-type constructions: there should be NO comma before the final “a” or “neu”:

US English	Welsh
Check for available updates to the Software, such as fixes, and enhanced functions.	Chwilio am y diweddariadau sydd ar gael i’r meddalwedd, fal datrysiadau a swyddogaethau gwell.
Check for available updates to the Software, such as fixes, or enhanced functions.	Chwilio am y diweddariadau sydd ar gael i’r meddalwedd, fal datrysiadau neu swyddogaethau gwell.

Acceptable (and necessary) to have a comma before “a” or “neu” when used to break up two separate but related clauses:

US English	Welsh
On Google Maps, your ad can appear right on the map, and you can pick a special icon related to your business.	Ar Google Maps, gall eich hysbyseb ymddangos yn uniongyrchol ar y map, a gallwch chi ddewis eicon arbennig sy’n ymwneud â’ch busnes.

Colon¶

Colon represents longest pause within a sentence. Use to introduce a list of items or a quote.

US English	Welsh	Comment
Show the temperature in:	Dangos y tymheredd mewn:	A long line should not follow a colon (:–).

Dashes and hyphens¶

Hyphen — divides words by syllables, links compound parts, connects inverted/imperative verb forms. Y Golygiadur deals with this in detail.

US English	Welsh
Undo	Dad-wneud

En dash — minus sign with spaces; number ranges (no spaces).

Em dash — emphasize isolated elements; introduce non-essential elements.

US English	Welsh
Setup the program—you have downloaded—on the PC	Gosodwch y rhaglen—y byddwch wedi’i llwytho i lawr—ar y cyfrifiadur.

Ellipses¶

Used for omitted quotation parts or end of strings. Space before and after. No period at end when omitted part is at sentence end.

US English	Welsh
Open Shared Calendar…	Agor Calendar a Rennir…

Period¶

Use in all complete sentences (conjugated verb). Do NOT use in software strings without conjugated verb.

US English	Welsh
Select item (dialog above drop-down list)	(+) Dewiswch eitem.
Select item (checkbox in dialog)	(+) Dewis eitem

One space after period. No periods in abbreviations:

US English	Welsh
eg	(+) ee / (-) e.e.
ie	(+) hy / (-) h.y.

Quotation marks¶

Both single (’ ‘) and double (” “) used in Welsh. Follow source quotation marks.

US English	Welsh
For example: “Kitchen PC” or “Sam’s PC”.	Er enghraifft: “Cyfrifiadur y Gegin” neu “Cyfrifiadur Alun”.

Parentheses¶

No space between parentheses and text inside.

US English	Welsh
This day [13 April 2022]	Roedd y diwrnod hwn [13 Ebrill 2022]

Sentence fragments¶

Sentence fragments convey conversational tone where possible.

US English source text	Welsh long form	Welsh sentence fragment
Use the following steps to print a document.	Defnyddiwch y camau canlynol i argraffu dogfen.	Angen argraffu dogfen? Dyma sut.

Subjunctive¶

The subjunctive should be avoided — use present tense instead.

US English	Welsh target
When the computer shuts down	(+) pan fydd y cyfrifiadur yn cau / (-) pan fo’r cyfrifiadur yn cau

Symbols and non-breaking spaces¶

Deal with as English source. Exception: ampersand (&) should NOT be used in Welsh — use “a”.

US English	Welsh
Devices & Printers	Dyfeisiau a Pheiriannau Argraffu

Verbs¶

Simple tenses preferred. English verbs may be used as loan words following Welsh syntactic/morphological rules:

US English	Welsh noun	Welsh verb-noun	Welsh imperative
dump	(+) dymp	(+) dympio	(+) dympiwch
blog	(+) blog	(+) blogio	(+) blogiwch
format	(+) fformat	(+) fformatio	(+) fformatiwch

Ancillary verbs common in English may be omitted in Welsh:

US English	Welsh target
To make use of	(+) defnyddio / (-) gwneud defnydd o
To pay a visit	(+) ymweld â / (-) talu ymweliad â
To give consideration	(+) ystyried / (-) rhoi ystyriaeth i
To make a decision	(+) penderfynu / (-) gwneud penderfyniad

Be consistent translating verbs in error messages. If grammatical to omit “be”, omit it consistently.

US English	Welsh target	Comment
The document is too large. / Document too large.	(+) Mae’r ddogfen yn rhy fawr.	Be consistent with verb “to be” usage.
Access was denied. / Access denied.	(+) Dim mynediad.	In complete sentences use verbs and same tense as source.
The file ‘%s’ is an unknown graphics format.	(+) Mae’r ffeil ‘%s’ yn fformat graffeg anhysbys.	Rephrase “is” with “have” if needed for appropriate translation.
The application may attempt to convert the graphic.	(+) Gall y rhaglen geisio trosi’r graffigyn.	may + Verb can become Verb + possibly.
A problem occurred while trying to connect to the network share ‘%1!s!’.	(+) Problem wrth geisio cysylltu â’r rhan rhwydwaith ‘%!s!’.	Shorten/rephrase where possible.
The following error occurred: ‘%1!s!’ (error #%2!lx!)	(+) Dyma’r gwall: ‘%1!s!’ (gwall #%2!lx!)	Shorten where possible.
An unknown error has occurred. / No error occurred.	(+) Gwall anhysbys. / Dim gwall.	Shorten where possible.

“Gallu” (able) vs. “cael” (allow) in error messages — usually the program tells user they’re not allowed (not unable):

US English	Welsh target
You cannot save this file.	(+) Chewch chi ddim cadw’r ffeil. / (-) Allwch chi ddim cadw’r ffeil.
You can open this folder.	(+) Cewch agor y ffolder. / (-) Gallwch agor y ffolder.
You will not be able to open this folder.	(+) Chewch chi ddim agor y ffolder. / (-) Allwch chi ddim agor y ffolder.

Tense care:

US English	Welsh target	Comments
The program saved	(+) Cadwodd y rhaglen	past
The program has saved	(+) Mae’r rhaglen wedi cadw	perfect
The program had saved	(+) Roedd y rhaglen wedi cadw	pluperfect

Localization considerations¶

Accessibility¶

Accessibility options make computers usable by people with cognitive, hearing, physical, or visual disabilities. Some accessible products may not be available in Welsh-speaking markets.

Applications, products, and features¶

Application/product names often trademarked, rarely translated. Feature names occasionally trademarked.

Copilot predefined prompts¶

Copilot prompts are functional — accuracy, consistency, conciseness, and natural tone are critical.

Apply the same Copilot prompt best practices as other languages: be clear and specific, keep it conversational, be polite/professional, use quotation marks, pay attention to punctuation/grammar/capitalization, place entity tokens correctly, be consistent.

Trademarks¶

Trademarked names and “Microsoft Corporation” should not be localized unless local laws require translation and an approved translated form exists.

Software considerations¶

Arrow keys¶

Arrow keys move input focus within a group.

Error messages¶

Apply Microsoft voice principles for natural, empathetic, non-robotic translation. Use consistent terminology and language style.

Keys¶

Key names handled per English source — many remain in English. Welsh key names follow standard Welsh conventions where translated.

Keyboard shortcuts¶

Standard rules apply per general Microsoft localization practice.

Numeric keypad¶

Don’t distinguish numeric keypad keys from other keys unless required.

Voice video considerations¶

A good voice video addresses one intent, isn’t too long, has high audio quality, has informative visuals, uses the right language variant in voiceover.

Successful techniques: focus on intent; show empathy; use SEO; talk to the customer as if next to you; record scratch audio file for length/pace/clarity check.

English pronunciation¶

English terms pronounced English way with slight Welsh accent. Microsoft pronounced English way. Numbers in Welsh; “r” always Welsh way.

Tone¶

Match target audience: informal/playful for products and games; formal/informative/factual for technical content.

Reference materials: authoritative Welsh sources¶

Normative references (adhere to these):

1. Gramadeg y Gymraeg — Peter Wynn Thomas, Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, 1996. ISBN 0-7083-1345-0.
2. Orgraff yr Iaith Gymraeg Rhan I a Rhan II — Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, 1987.
3. Y Golygiadur, Llawlyfr i Awduron a Golygyddion — Rhiannon Ifans, 2006. ISBN 1-84512-026-4.
4. TermCymru — gov.wales/bydtermcymru. Welsh Assembly Government Translation Service terminology.
5. Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru — welsh-dictionary.ac.uk/gpc/gpc.html.
6. Geiriadur yr Academi — geiriaduracademi.org.
7. Y Termiadur — termiaduraddysg.cymru.
8. Termau Technoleg Gwybodaeth a’r We — Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg, 2004.
9. Pa Arddodiad? — D. Geraint Lewis, 2007. ISBN 978 1 58902 764 6.
10. Adroddiad ar Safoni Termau Priffyrdd — Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg, 1998.

Informative references:

1. The Welsh Academy English-Welsh Dictionary — Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, 1995.
2. Cysgliad — bangor.ac.uk/canolfanbedwyr/cysgliad_am_ddim.php.en.
3. Arddulliadur Gwasanaeth Cyfieithu Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, 2006.
4. Canllawiau a Safonau Meddalwedd Dwyieithog — Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg, 2006.
5. Safle meddalwedd Cymraeg — meddal.com.
6. The European Computer Driving Licence (Welsh Version).

FAQ¶

What’s the modern register for Welsh translation across professional contexts?¶

Clear, friendly, concise — avoid jargon and overly colloquial language. Use polite 2nd person -wch forms (chi). Active sentences preferred over passive. Welsh has distinctive features (mutations, Yes/No context-dependence) that don’t map to English directly.

How does the polite 2nd person work in Welsh?¶

Use -wch forms (Rydych chi nawr wedi’ch cysylltu â’r Rhyngrwyd; Teipiwch eich enw; Ydych chi’n siŵr eich bod am adael) — NOT -i forms (Rwyt ti / Teipia dy enw). For impersonal in past use -wyd forms (Anfonwyd y neges). In present, prefer verb noun form (Mae’r neges wrthi’n cael ei hanfon).

How should I handle Welsh mutations?¶

Mutations are first-letter changes following grammar rules. Feminine singular nouns trigger soft mutation in following adjectives (Panel Rheoli, not Panel Reolaethol). Compounds: second part mutates. In bulleted lists, only the first bullet should be mutated if necessary; letter/number markers prevent the mutation. Rephrase menus to avoid mutations where possible. Consult Y Golygiadur.

How should I translate Yes and No in Welsh?¶

Welsh Yes/No depend on the question — no single word covers all contexts. Use ‘Iawn’ (OK) for Yes where possible. Use ‘Na’ for No (short form). Exception: ‘Ydw’ for ‘Are you sure you wish to…?’ questions.

What are the most common Welsh translation pitfalls?¶

Using familiar -i forms instead of polite -wch (Rwyt ti instead of Rydych chi), passive instead of active voice, ampersand & (use ‘a’), comma before final ‘a’/’neu’ in lists (don’t), periods in abbreviations (no — write ‘ee’ not ‘e.e.’), subjunctive forms (use present tense), Anglicisms (Fodd bynnag → Ond; Cyflawni → Gwneud; Caffael → Cael; Cyrchu → Cael gafael ar).

Sources¶

• Microsoft Localization Style Guide for Welsh
• Microsoft Globalization Style Guides hub
• TermCymru
• Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru
• Geiriadur yr Academi
• Y Termiadur