Comments on: Dumbing down by the Welsh Academy

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:40:49 +0000

Clive,

What point are you trying to make? In your short and rather pointless blog on the Encyclopaedia of Wales, you have a cheap dig at the print size being too ‘big’ and the articles being too short. You then complain about the price. Don’t you realist that you can’t have it both ways? You also then compare it with publications of no relevance whatsoever to its remit. Why not compare it to the Scottish or Irish versions, which frankly do not come close to its quality? You cannot have enormous detail and have a single volume that people outside your cherished circle could afford to purchase. They have tried to combine detail and also a written style that is both interesting and entertaining to read and as someone who has bought a copy, I think they have done a fantastic job.
This is a quite incredible publication that has actually compiled for the first time information on issues such as the scientists of Wales (this has never been published before). Perhaps you would like to come to the Eisteddfod and challenge the editors of this book face to face and endeavour to win your argument? Let’s face it. You wouldn’t have the guts and would be completely out of your depth.

I find it very disappointing that as a journalist who takes Wales so seriously, you are prepared to take so lightly such a fantastic publication- a book that the Academi are not avoiding but promoting with pride.

Take another look Clive and this time, take your blinkers off.

By: Efrogwr

Efrogwr — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:36:54 +0000

I haven’t seen the Gwyddoniadur yet but I was surprised when a flyer for advanced sales fell out of a Welsh mag I’d bought. Who had they chosen to promote it but Sian Lloyd and Tanni Grey-Thomson? Nothing at all against either of these people, but neither is known for their scholarly work; it’s the “celeb”-rification of cultcha, innit?
Not so sure that the change in name from The Welsh Academy to “Academi” really emphasising Welshness. When I hear “Academi” in Welsh, I want to ask “which academy”. If they wanted to go Welsh they could have just started to use the Welsh version of the old name: “Yr Academi Gymreig”. Isn’t this just more dumbing down at the behest of expensive ad men: last year’s marketing fashions which have turned The Samaritans into “Samaritans” and, dare I say it, Plaid Cymru into “Plaid”?

By: cambriapolitico

cambriapolitico — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:13:35 +0000

I don’t think we can blame the press although I’ve got my theories as to who might have headed the dumbing down – what’s known as trying to get circulation…

If you want Vol one, Abe have it for £75, and in the past I’ve used a decent-priced binder in Swansea valley…

By: Alwyn ap Huw

Alwyn ap Huw — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:32:03 +0000

I have nothing against paying lots for a good Welsh book. I am the proud owner of vol 2 of a “History of Merionethshire”, (£65) and am still bidding up to £150 for vol one when it’s up on e-bay.

I had a flick through the “Gwyddoniadur” in a local shop, but found nothing new, interesting or not available on Wikepedia in it! – A waste of money, better spent on 10 Welsh poets or novelists.