Anger over misspelled sign in Dwygyfylchi

Oct 2 2008 by Michelle Coyle, North Wales Weekly News

Anger over misspelled sign in Dwygyfylchi

WELSH speakers have spoken out against a misspelt sign in Dwygyfylchi.

Welsh-speaking historian Dennis Roberts has complained about the incorrect spelling of a sign for Treforris Road at the junction to Conwy Old Road in Dwygyfylchi.

Dennis, 68, said: “It is clearly meant to be ‘Treforris’ but one sign spells it as ‘Trefforis’, a misspelling that should not be there. These people who make these signs should check them before they put them up.

“I first complained about this to Penmaenmawr Town Council two years ago but nothing was done so I am raising the issue again. I don’t know who is responsible for this but it needs to be fixed.”

Dennis, who lives on the correctly signposted Gwynant Park in Dwygyfylchi, added: “If they spelt a sign for Buckingham Palace incorrectly there would be outrage. Dwygyfylchi should expect the same treatment.”

Osian Jones, spokesman for Welsh language society Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, condemned the poor spelling on the sign.

“Under the 1993 Welsh Language Act there should be bilingual spelling and the Welsh should be correct. It is quite obvious that ‘Trefforis’ is wrong. Conwy County Council is cutting corners and breaking the law by having this sign. This happens all the time and there is nothing that the people of Wales can do about it,” he said.

Capelulo councillor and Welsh speaker Gail Hall said: “To a Welsh speaker, ‘Trefforis’ is obviously wrong. I don’t see this as a misuse of the Welsh language but I do think the signs should be consistent.

“I don’t mind personally, it’s just one of those quirks of living in a place with two languages. Many people here can’t even pronounce Dwygyfylchi: they call it ‘Doogie Doogie’.”

A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council admitted that one sign was wrong: “The official spelling is ‘Treforris’. We will add the ‘Trefforis’ sign to the list of street signs awaiting replacement.”