[Michael Juster]

I am looking for help on the best translation of a word used from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries in Welsh religious poetry: "Goreudduw."

The word "duw" translates as "God" and I am quite sure it is a compound noun (which is common in Welsh). The only translation I have found is "Christ immaculate," which I am fairly sure is off base.

I have a very speculative guess, but I am going to hold that back for now. If anyone can help me, I would be very grateful.

Thanks!

[Don Jones]

Alex Foreman will know. Perhaps he'll stop by. Or PM him via Eratosphere. I remember him claiming that Welsh is his favorite tongue out of the gazillion he knows.

Good luck.

[ross hamilton hill]

goreudduw
[gorau1+duw]
eg.
Duw gorau, Duw goruchaf:
best or highest god, the supreme God. 

from the online welsh dictionary GPC, you probably want more than that, using 'online' as part of your search term may be helpful.
Ann Drysdale is from Wales, she might be able to help, she will probably see this post soon enough.

[Catherine McDonald]

Here's another source that says "Goreu" means "best": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goreu_...generated1_1-1

Granted, it's a Wikipedia entry, but it does cite Rachel Bromwich as the source using this work: http://www.amazon.com/Trioedd-Ynys-P.../dp/0708313868

[Ann Drysdale]

From the source of all wisdom in Welshness. (Ross found this but I'm giving the link in case the notes are useful)

http://geiriadur.ac.uk/gpc/gpc.html?goreudduw

And an example of an apparent "mistranslation" - read Richard Poole's review.

http://www.gwales.com/goto/biblio/en/9781870206549/


(Meanwhile, I am investigating its possibilities as an expletive...)

.

[Michael Cantor]

Originally Posted by Ann Drysdale

(Meanwhile, I am investigating its possibilities as an expletive...)

Knowing Mike, I assumed that's where we were headed.