Welsh iPhone app launched

A new Welsh phrase book, Learn Welsh, which has been designed for use on Apple's latest iPhone, the 3GS, has been launched at the National Eisteddfod.

Developed by Professor Chris Price, Head of Computer Science and a Welsh learner, the app will be available from the iTunes App Store for 59p.

Based on Chris’ own experience of learning Welsh, the phrase book is divided into twelve themed sections that include greetings, common phrases, food and drink, and travelling. Welsh learners visiting this year’s Eisteddfod will no doubt be relieved to know that it also includes a section on the weather!

As well as seeing the written word, Chris has recorded each phrase, a feature he hopes will help with pronunciation. Another innovative feature is a ‘practice mode’ which offers learners the opportunity of testing themselves as they learn.

Chris said:
“There are many apps for learning other languages available to iPhone users, amongst them 27 for French, 23 for Italian and even ones for Irish, and Tagalog which is spoken in the Philippines. I felt it was high time that help of this kind was made available for those learning Welsh.”

Learn Welsh was launched by Chris and Dr Adrian Shaw, a Senior Teaching Fellow at the Department of Computer Science. As part of the presentation, Adrian, who is originally from Wiltshire and who started learning Welsh by listening to Catchphrase on BBC Radio Wales, gave a presentation in Welsh on how to build apps for the iPhone.

The Department of Computer Science runs the highly successful and popular degree programme Mobile and Wearable Computing which offers students the opportunity of developing apps for the iPhone. The department is also a recognised provider of training on mobile software development for industrial developers.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Chris is keen to develop Learn Welsh further and invites people to send suggestions to chrisinaber@googlemail.com.