Though most Welsh records are written in English, understanding some basic elements of the Welsh language can help you with your research. Do not, however, rely on a translation of a record made by using a dictionary. Get help from someone who knows the language.

The Welsh Alphabet

Though the Welsh and English alphabets are very similar, each has some letters not used in the other. The letters j, k, q, v, and z are not used in the Welsh language. The following double letters are treated as a single letter in Welsh: ch, dd, ff, ll, ng, ph, rh, and th. These letters are part of the Welsh alphabet.

When you use a Welsh dictionary or an index written in Welsh, use Welsh, not English, alphabetical order.

Welsh Pronunciation

The sounds produced by certain letters in the Welsh alphabet are often misinterpreted and spelled incorrectly. This is particularly true of Welsh sounds not used in English. For example, the sound made by a double l (ll) is formed by placing the tongue at the roof of the mouth and blowing air sharply out the side. The sound comes when using it in conjunction with other letters. Words with ll are often misspelled. For example, Slanvihangel should be Llanfihangel, and Thlangthovery should be Llanddovery.

The letter dd, which forms the soft th sound, also causes confusion. Pontypridd should be pronounced with pridd rhyming with the word breathe.

The following table lists Welsh letters and their sounds:

Letter	Pronunciation
a	Ah as in father.
b	Same as English b.
c	K as in cat, never soft as in cease.
ch	Like Scottish ch as in loch.
d	Like English d.
dd	Voiced th as in breathe.
e	The sound as in breath.
f	Like English v.
ff	Like English f.
g	Hard g as in get.
ng	Sound as in longer.
h	Like English h.
i	Long e as in meet.
l	Like English l.
ll	No English equivalent. Made by putting tip of tongue on roof of mouth and blowing.
m	Like English m.
n	Like English n.
o	Long o as in go.
p	Like English p.
ph	Like English f as in phone.
r	Trilled r.
rh	No English equivalent. Made by blowing while trilling an r.
s	Soft s as in sat, never as in advise.
t	Same as English t.
th	Unvoiced th as in wreath.
u	Long e as in tea.
w	Oo as in broom.
y	Uh as in come; or long e as in family.