2014

Cymraeg

December 2014

Welcome to the New version of GPC Online

Android:

A new version of the Dictionary was published on 9 December. For the first time, this version runs correctly on Android phones and tablets. In some browsers (e.g. Chrome and Firefox) explanations of the grammatical and bibliographic abbreviations cannot be seen when tapping on them (as is possible on a normal computer or on iOS devices) but these will work with Android browser itself (the ‘minibrowser’ or ‘open-source browser’).
Hopefully this version is much easier to use on Android devices.
Please let us know if there are any problems.

The new version of GPC Online running on Android.

The new version of GPC Online running on Android.

Other improvements:

This version also improves the process of searching by taking into account the Welsh mutations. From now on, if you search for a word, the results which are shown on the left will include combinations (or collocations) containing mutated forms of the word. For example, if you search for ‘brig’, you will find such collocations as ‘awr frig’, ‘codi ym mrig’, and ‘mân frig’ as well as ‘brig yr hwyr‘ and ‘o’r brig i’r bôn’.

The results of a search for 'brig' showing mutated forms.

The results of a search for ‘brig’ showing mutated forms.

GPC attempts to follow the orthographical (or spelling) guidelines in Orgraff yr Iaith Gymraeg (3rd ed., Cardiff, 1987). The spelling of certain words in this version has been changed to comply with the latest interpretation of these guidelines (for example, ‘caeëdig’ has been changed to ‘caeedig’). If you search for a word in non-standard spelling, GPC Online now tries to refer you to the standard spelling. For example, if you search for ‘adborth’, the spelling ‘atborth’ will be suggested. Click on it to see the full record.

Error correction and standardization:

The data available has now been corrected and standardized. Tens of thousands of minor changes have been made in the data in an attempt to facilitate searching, some typing errors have been corrected, and the consistency of the work improved. No new words, new meanings, or new collocations have been added to the data this time. It is intended to publish the next batch of brand new entries in about three months’ time. The majority of these will be relatively new words which became common after the publication of the relevant parts of GPC.

Thanks to everyone who has commented, corrected errors, or supplied us with new evidence. You can contact us in various ways, click here or on the ‘Contact‘ page.

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15 August 2014

GPC at the National Eisteddfod

Gorsedd ceremony at the National Eisteddfod 2014

Gorsedd ceremony at the National Eisteddfod 2014

During a lively week at the 2014 National Eisteddfod in Llanelli members of the Dictionary staff worked at the University of Wales stand.

Visitors to the University of Wales & GPC stand

Visitors to the University of Wales & GPC stand

A number of friends dropped by to see how to use the online Dictionary.

Simon Thomas, A.M., giving his backing & support for GPC Online

Simon Thomas, A.M., giving his backing & support for GPC Online

On Friday afternoon Arwel Elis Owen and Simon Thomas, A.M., came to the stand to give a short address on the importance of publishing the online Dictionary and of securing public support for it.

Angharad Fychan demonstrating GPC's new website

Angharad Fychan demonstrating GPC’s new website

The audience had the opportunity to hear Angharad Fychan, one of the project’s Senior Editors, explain how to use the Dictionary’s new website.

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05 August 2014

GPC Online at the National Eisteddfod

Our flyer announcing the forthcoming demonstration of GPC Online at this years National Eisteddfod in Llanelli

Announcing the forthcoming demonstration of GPC Online at this years National Eisteddfod in Llanelli

To learn more about the Online Dictionary and how to use it, come to the University of Wales tent at the National Eisteddfod (number LL04, opposite the pavilion) on Friday 8 August at 3pm.

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24 July 2014

Introducing the new website and Online Dictionary

Angharad Fychan shows off our new website

Angharad Fychan (on the left) shows off our new website

Following the highly successful launch of our new website and Online Dictionary on June 26th, our two senior editors, Manon Roberts and Angharad Fychan, are seen here giving a live demonstration.

Angharad Fychan describes how to search the Online Dictionary

Angharad Fychan describes how to search the Online Dictionary

They presented the new ‘app’ at the July 4th meeting of the CAWCS Advisory Committee where they gave an introduction and step by step guide to the many features and versatility of the freely available Online Dictionary.

A search result using the Online Dictionary

A search result using the Online Dictionary

The informal session was warmly received by the committee members who recognised the effort and hard work put in by GPC and our associates, iLEX Digital Publishing, in order to create our new online presence.

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03 July 2014

An historic day – The launch of GPC Online

After three years’ work, GPC Online was launched by the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, AM, in the National Assembly, on 26th June 2014.

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, AM

Carwyn Jones, AM at the launch of GPC Online

During his speech the First Minister emphasized that:

“This online version is a huge step forward in the history of the Dictionary. It will enable people to get hold of information quickly and easily, using modern technology.”
“I congratulate Dictionary of Wales staff on the excellent work they have done to produce this online version. It’s an excellent resource which will support the growth of the language over the years ahead.”

The period before the launch saw intense activity here at GPC and the day before the big event the staff went to Cardiff to ensure that everything was set up and working correctly for the ceremony.

After all the preparation, having assured ourselves that all was as it should be, we took the opportunity, with colleagues, to relax and unwind at a pre-launch supper at the Cote Bistro in Cardiff Bay.

GPC staff at supper before the launch

GPC staff & colleagues relaxing before the big day.

Some of the officials, pictured below, who were present on the day included:

Officials at the launch of GPC Online

The launch at the National Assembly.

Professor Dafydd Johnston, Jens Erlandsen, Andrew Hawke, Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, Professor Medwin Hughes, Meri Huws and Alun Thomas.

The launch ceremony itself went very well with the new web site and online dictionary being enthusiastically received and welcomed.

The launch ceremony with Carwyn Jones, AM speaking.

Carwyn Jones, AM speaking at the launch.

Professor Dafydd Johnston & Andrew Hawke speaking during the launch

Professor Dafydd Johnston & Andrew Hawke at the launch ceremony.

Word spread rapidly with GPC Online attracting 10,251 visitors to its search page on that first day.

After the official part of the proceedings was over Dictionary staff members were on hand to personally demonstrate GPC Online to the guests and to encourage those who wanted to ‘have a go’.

Demonstrating how to use GPC Online.

Senior Editor Manon Roberts demonstrating how to use GPC Online on an iPad.

A member of GPC staff explaining to an interested guest thefeatures of GPC Online.

Senior Editor Angharad Fychan explaining the features of GPC Online.

Launch guests 'having a go' with the new GPC Online.

Assistant Editor Brenda Williams encouraging guests to ‘have a go’.

The GPC Online project represents the culmination of several years’ work that makes this acclaimed historical dictionary freely available to one and all for the first time.

Not only a research tool for scholars and academics, or a reference for schools and government departments, GPC Online will be invaluable to anyone with a desire to learn more about the Welsh language and its rich history.

More supper photos:

GPC staff & friends at supper.

GPC staff & friends at supper.

GPC staff & friends at supper.

GPC staff & friends at supper.

And, many thanks to Huw Dylan Owen @Gurfal for the englyn written to celebrate the launch of GPC Online:

Yn rhad dyma’r @geiriadur – pora ef
Heb bres am wir ystyr
A daw elw heb dalu’r
Bunt boeth, yn gyfoeth heb gur.

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26 June 2014

Changing with the times

These are exciting times, and the Dictionary is evolving to meet the needs of the modern user.

The ways in which people access and use information have changed dramatically in recent years and, here at GPC, we’ve worked hard to improve accessibility and availability for a new generation of users.

GPC Online

In 2011, collaborative work began with iLEX Digital Publishing from Denmark to convert the Dictionary data to XML so that it could be used in the iLEX dictionary editing
system, and to produce an online dictionary.

This free online version will permit searching for English words as well as Welsh words and expressions. It will be an invaluable resource for all those interested in the Welsh language.


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