![Iwan Rees BA, MPhil, PhD, FHEA](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/3268?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Iwan Rees
BA, MPhil, PhD, FHEA
- Welsh speaking
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Iwan Rees
Senior lecturer
Teaching and research
Overview
My research interests encompass a number of interrelated linguistic fields, including:
- Geographical and social dialectology;
- Phonetic and phonological variation and change;
- Language pedagogy (in Wales and Patagonia especially);
- Welsh grammar (including regional varieties);
- The historical development of Welsh and its scholarship.
I joined the School of Welsh in 2012 when I was appointed a Research Associate on a project which examined the acquisition of Welsh as a second language in the Welsh for Adults sector. I am now Senior Lecturer at the School as well as the current Director of the Cardiff Centre for Welsh American Studies.
Before joining Cardiff University, I was awarded an AHRC scholarship which allowed me to complete my doctoral thesis at Aberystwyth University on aspects of phonological variation and change in two distinctive dialects of mid Wales.
The phenomenon of dialect contact, i.e. the linguistic outcomes of dialect mixing, has always been of great interest to me. In addition to my variety of publications on the nature of the linguistic transitions found in mid Wales between the two main varieties of Welsh, namely Northern Welsh and Southern Welsh, I am also working on an ongoing project which focuses on the understudied variety of Welsh that is spoken in Patagonia, Argentina from a historical and synchronic perspective. This project has also led to the publication of an interdisciplinary special edition of Gwerddon in 2024 that I edited on the topic ‘New Interpretations of Welsh Patagonia’.
Another related field of interest of mine is the development of new dialects of Welsh in Wales and the role that the education system plays in their formation.
My colleague from the School of Welsh Dr Jonathan Morris and I have also played a pivotal role in another interdisciplinary project entitled ‘The Anatomy of Welsh’ (together with colleagues from CUBRIC). The broad aim of this project, funded by the university’s ‘Innovation for All’ programme and the EHRC, was to explore the applicability of MRI technology as a pedagogic tool that can help learners of Welsh to overcome pronunciation difficulties.
As a regular contributor to Welsh media productions, including several programmes on Radio Cymru, I also represent the discipline of Welsh and Celtic Studies on a national level as Chair of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s Panel for Welsh Language and Literature, a member of the Coleg’s Academic Board, as well as member of the British Academy’s Development of the Welsh Language Project.
Publication
2025
- Rees, I. W. 2025. Y Cyfryngau Cyfoes (Cyfres 'Mwy o Stori'r Iaith 2'). [Online]. Atebol / Rondo. Available at: https://mwyostoririaith.cymru/adnoddau/y-cyfryngau-cyfoes/
- Rees, I. W. 2025. Y Wladfa a Mudo Ehangach (Cyfres 'Mwy o Stori'r Iaith 2'). [Online]. Atebol / Rondo. Available at: https://mwyostoririaith.cymru/adnoddau/y-wladfa-a-mudo-ehangach/
2024
- Rees, I. W. 2024. Dau Ieithydd yn y Wladfa. Barn(738-9), pp. 54-56.
- Rees, I. W. 2024. Cymraeg Cynhwysol. O'r Pedwar Gwynt(24), pp. 9-12.
- Rees, I. W. and Jones, A. eds. 2024. Gwerddon (Rhifyn arbennig: Deongliadau newydd o'r Wladfa Gymreig). Vol. 36. Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
- Rees, I. W. 2024. Lleoliad Talaith Chubut, ynghyd â deongliadau o’r term 'Y Wladfa'.. Gwerddon Ionawr(36), pp. x-xi.
- Rees, I. W. 2024. Rhagair y Golygydd Gwadd.. Gwerddon (Rhifyn arbennig: Deongliadau newydd o'r Wladfa Gymreig)(36), pp. v-ix.
- Rees, I. W. 2024. "Un o fethiannau godidocaf" puryddiaeth ieithyddol? Dadansoddiad o batrymau geirfaol Cymraeg y Wladfa heddiw mewn cyd-destun hanesyddol.. Gwerddon (Rhifyn arbennig: Deongliadau newydd o'r Wladfa Gymreig)(36), pp. 87-117., article number: 5.
2023
- Rees, I. W. 2023. Casglu Elfennau o'r Tafodieithoedd Cymraeg Heddiw: Sut y gallwch chi ddechrau ar waith maes. In: Naylor, A., Roberts, L. and Foster Evans, D. eds. Beth yw'r Gymraeg?. Caerdydd: Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, pp. 89-94.
2022
- Rees, I. W. 2022. Hunanieithoedd Cymru heddiw. O'r Pedwar Gwynt 18, pp. 9-12.
- Uhl, K. G. and Rees, I. W. 2022. Audio recordings of the Welsh words in ‘Cadi & the Cursed Oak’. [Online]. Lost Art Press. Available at: https://blog.lostartpress.com/2022/03/27/audio-recordings-of-the-welsh-words-in-cadi-the-cursed-oak/
- Beltrachini, L., Cercignani, M., Morris, J., Rees, I., Papageorgiou, A. and Simpson, I. 2022. Gwylia dy dafod / Watch your Welsh. [Online]. Prifysgol Caerdydd / Cardiff University. Available at: https://gwyliadydafod.org/cy/index.html
- Rees, I. W. 2022. Adolygiad o: AmrywIAITH: Blas ar Dafodieithoedd Cymru (2020) gan Guto Rhys [Book Review]. Journal of Celtic Linguistics(23), pp. 193-200.
2021
- Rees, I. W. 2021. Hispanicization in the Welsh settlement of Chubut Province, Argentina: some current linguistic developments. In: Perez, D. and Sippola, E. eds. Postcolonial Language Varieties in the Americas. Koloniale und Postkoloniale Linguistik / Colonial and Postcolonial Linguistics (KPL/CPL) Vol. 18. Berlin: De Gruyter, pp. 239-269.
- Rees, I. W. 2021. The Welsh in diaspora: Patagonia. In: Morgan, W. J., Bowie, F. and O'Connell, J. eds. Social Anthropologies of the Welsh: Past and Present. The Royal Anthropological Institute's Country Series (Series Editor: Dr David Shankland) Canon Pyon: Sean Kingston Publishing, pp. 123-144.
2020
- Morris, J., Rees, I. W. and Prys, M. 2020. Amrywio. In: Cooper, S. and Arman, L. eds. Cyflwyniad i Ieithyddiaeth. Caerfyrddin: Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, pp. 139-180.
2019
- Rees, I. W. 2019. Casglu'r tafodieithoedd Cymraeg heddiw.. ond at ba ddiben?. Y Casglwr(125), pp. 10-11.
2018
- Rees, I. W. and Morris, J. 2018. Astudiaeth o ganfyddiadau tiwtoriaid Cymraeg i Oedolion o anawsterau ynganu ymhlith dysgwyr yr iaith. Gwerddon 27, pp. 39-66.
- Rees, I. W. 2018. Dilysu tafodieithoedd cyfredol yw’r flaenoriaeth. Y Dinesydd(426), pp. 12-13.
- Rees, I. W. 2018. Length and quality in Welsh mid vowels: new evidence from Mid Wales. Journal of Celtic Linguistics 19(1), pp. 157-208. (10.16922/jcl.19.6)
2017
- Rees, I. W. 2017. Modern Welsh: A Comprehensive Grammar (3rd edition; 2016) by Gareth King. [Book Review]. The Journal of Celtic Linguistics 18, pp. 234-240. (10.16922/jcl.18.8)
- Rees, I. W. 2017. Cyflwyno Tafodieithoedd Cymraeg y Wladfa. [Online]. Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Available at: https://llyfrgell.porth.ac.uk/Default.aspx?catid=528
2016
- Rees, I. W. 2016. 'Dim Sôn am Dduw na Dyn': Ar Drywydd yr 'U Ogleddol' yng Nghanolbarth Cymru. (“No Mention of a Duw or a Dyn”: Investigating the ‘Northern U’ vowel in mid-Wales). Gwerddon(22), pp. 47-74.
- Rees, I. W. 2016. Tafodiaith.. [Online]. Esboniadur y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php/Tafodiaith
2015
- Rees, I. W. 2015. Phonological variation in Mid-Wales. Studia Celtica 49(1), pp. 149-174.
- Rees, I. W. 2015. Ffordd iawn o siarad Cymraeg?. [Online]. BBC Cymru. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/34325522
- Rees, I. W. 2015. Cyflwyno Tafodieithoedd y Gymraeg: Canllawiau i Actorion a Sgriptwyr.. [Online]. Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Available at: https://llyfrgell.porth.ac.uk/Default.aspx?catid=487
2013
- Rees, I. W. 2013. Adolygiad o John Morris Jones gan Allan James.. Y Traethodydd. CLXVII(707), pp. 273-276.
- Rees, I. 2013. Astudiaeth o amrywiadau ffonolegol mewn dwy ardal yng nghanolbarth Cymru. PhD Thesis, Prifysgol Aberystwyth.
- Rees, I. W. 2013. Chwedl. Taliesin(149), pp. 84-85.
- Rees, I. W. 2013. Adolygiad o Rhint y Gelaets a’r Grug: Tafodiaith Sir Benfro gan Wyn Owens. Barn(609), pp. 48-49.
- Rees, I. W. 2013. Adolygiad o Ambell Air ac Ati gan Tegwyn Jones. Barn(609), pp. 48-49.
2012
- Rees, I. W. 2012. Gwreiddiau’r Gymraeg. Tu Chwith(36), pp. 89-102.
2011
- Rees, I. W. 2011. Tafodieitha. Llafar Gwlad(112), pp. 22-23.
- Rees, I. W. 2011. "Labordy gwag" y Gymraeg: Beth yw’r dyfodol?. Barn 582(3), pp. 78-79.
2010
- Rees, I. W. 2010. Adolygiad o Y Proffwyd a’i Ddwy Jesebel gan Gareth Miles. Y Traethodydd(165), pp. 183-186.
Articles
- Rees, I. W. 2024. Dau Ieithydd yn y Wladfa. Barn(738-9), pp. 54-56.
- Rees, I. W. 2024. Cymraeg Cynhwysol. O'r Pedwar Gwynt(24), pp. 9-12.
- Rees, I. W. 2024. Lleoliad Talaith Chubut, ynghyd â deongliadau o’r term 'Y Wladfa'.. Gwerddon Ionawr(36), pp. x-xi.
- Rees, I. W. 2024. Rhagair y Golygydd Gwadd.. Gwerddon (Rhifyn arbennig: Deongliadau newydd o'r Wladfa Gymreig)(36), pp. v-ix.
- Rees, I. W. 2024. "Un o fethiannau godidocaf" puryddiaeth ieithyddol? Dadansoddiad o batrymau geirfaol Cymraeg y Wladfa heddiw mewn cyd-destun hanesyddol.. Gwerddon (Rhifyn arbennig: Deongliadau newydd o'r Wladfa Gymreig)(36), pp. 87-117., article number: 5.
- Rees, I. W. 2022. Hunanieithoedd Cymru heddiw. O'r Pedwar Gwynt 18, pp. 9-12.
- Rees, I. W. 2022. Adolygiad o: AmrywIAITH: Blas ar Dafodieithoedd Cymru (2020) gan Guto Rhys [Book Review]. Journal of Celtic Linguistics(23), pp. 193-200.
- Rees, I. W. 2019. Casglu'r tafodieithoedd Cymraeg heddiw.. ond at ba ddiben?. Y Casglwr(125), pp. 10-11.
- Rees, I. W. and Morris, J. 2018. Astudiaeth o ganfyddiadau tiwtoriaid Cymraeg i Oedolion o anawsterau ynganu ymhlith dysgwyr yr iaith. Gwerddon 27, pp. 39-66.
- Rees, I. W. 2018. Dilysu tafodieithoedd cyfredol yw’r flaenoriaeth. Y Dinesydd(426), pp. 12-13.
- Rees, I. W. 2018. Length and quality in Welsh mid vowels: new evidence from Mid Wales. Journal of Celtic Linguistics 19(1), pp. 157-208. (10.16922/jcl.19.6)
- Rees, I. W. 2017. Modern Welsh: A Comprehensive Grammar (3rd edition; 2016) by Gareth King. [Book Review]. The Journal of Celtic Linguistics 18, pp. 234-240. (10.16922/jcl.18.8)
- Rees, I. W. 2016. 'Dim Sôn am Dduw na Dyn': Ar Drywydd yr 'U Ogleddol' yng Nghanolbarth Cymru. (“No Mention of a Duw or a Dyn”: Investigating the ‘Northern U’ vowel in mid-Wales). Gwerddon(22), pp. 47-74.
- Rees, I. W. 2015. Phonological variation in Mid-Wales. Studia Celtica 49(1), pp. 149-174.
- Rees, I. W. 2013. Adolygiad o John Morris Jones gan Allan James.. Y Traethodydd. CLXVII(707), pp. 273-276.
- Rees, I. W. 2013. Chwedl. Taliesin(149), pp. 84-85.
- Rees, I. W. 2013. Adolygiad o Rhint y Gelaets a’r Grug: Tafodiaith Sir Benfro gan Wyn Owens. Barn(609), pp. 48-49.
- Rees, I. W. 2013. Adolygiad o Ambell Air ac Ati gan Tegwyn Jones. Barn(609), pp. 48-49.
- Rees, I. W. 2012. Gwreiddiau’r Gymraeg. Tu Chwith(36), pp. 89-102.
- Rees, I. W. 2011. Tafodieitha. Llafar Gwlad(112), pp. 22-23.
- Rees, I. W. 2011. "Labordy gwag" y Gymraeg: Beth yw’r dyfodol?. Barn 582(3), pp. 78-79.
- Rees, I. W. 2010. Adolygiad o Y Proffwyd a’i Ddwy Jesebel gan Gareth Miles. Y Traethodydd(165), pp. 183-186.
Book sections
- Rees, I. W. 2023. Casglu Elfennau o'r Tafodieithoedd Cymraeg Heddiw: Sut y gallwch chi ddechrau ar waith maes. In: Naylor, A., Roberts, L. and Foster Evans, D. eds. Beth yw'r Gymraeg?. Caerdydd: Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, pp. 89-94.
- Rees, I. W. 2021. Hispanicization in the Welsh settlement of Chubut Province, Argentina: some current linguistic developments. In: Perez, D. and Sippola, E. eds. Postcolonial Language Varieties in the Americas. Koloniale und Postkoloniale Linguistik / Colonial and Postcolonial Linguistics (KPL/CPL) Vol. 18. Berlin: De Gruyter, pp. 239-269.
- Rees, I. W. 2021. The Welsh in diaspora: Patagonia. In: Morgan, W. J., Bowie, F. and O'Connell, J. eds. Social Anthropologies of the Welsh: Past and Present. The Royal Anthropological Institute's Country Series (Series Editor: Dr David Shankland) Canon Pyon: Sean Kingston Publishing, pp. 123-144.
- Morris, J., Rees, I. W. and Prys, M. 2020. Amrywio. In: Cooper, S. and Arman, L. eds. Cyflwyniad i Ieithyddiaeth. Caerfyrddin: Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, pp. 139-180.
Books
- Rees, I. W. and Jones, A. eds. 2024. Gwerddon (Rhifyn arbennig: Deongliadau newydd o'r Wladfa Gymreig). Vol. 36. Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
Thesis
- Rees, I. 2013. Astudiaeth o amrywiadau ffonolegol mewn dwy ardal yng nghanolbarth Cymru. PhD Thesis, Prifysgol Aberystwyth.
Websites
- Rees, I. W. 2025. Y Cyfryngau Cyfoes (Cyfres 'Mwy o Stori'r Iaith 2'). [Online]. Atebol / Rondo. Available at: https://mwyostoririaith.cymru/adnoddau/y-cyfryngau-cyfoes/
- Rees, I. W. 2025. Y Wladfa a Mudo Ehangach (Cyfres 'Mwy o Stori'r Iaith 2'). [Online]. Atebol / Rondo. Available at: https://mwyostoririaith.cymru/adnoddau/y-wladfa-a-mudo-ehangach/
- Uhl, K. G. and Rees, I. W. 2022. Audio recordings of the Welsh words in ‘Cadi & the Cursed Oak’. [Online]. Lost Art Press. Available at: https://blog.lostartpress.com/2022/03/27/audio-recordings-of-the-welsh-words-in-cadi-the-cursed-oak/
- Beltrachini, L., Cercignani, M., Morris, J., Rees, I., Papageorgiou, A. and Simpson, I. 2022. Gwylia dy dafod / Watch your Welsh. [Online]. Prifysgol Caerdydd / Cardiff University. Available at: https://gwyliadydafod.org/cy/index.html
- Rees, I. W. 2017. Cyflwyno Tafodieithoedd Cymraeg y Wladfa. [Online]. Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Available at: https://llyfrgell.porth.ac.uk/Default.aspx?catid=528
- Rees, I. W. 2016. Tafodiaith.. [Online]. Esboniadur y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php/Tafodiaith
- Rees, I. W. 2015. Ffordd iawn o siarad Cymraeg?. [Online]. BBC Cymru. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/34325522
- Rees, I. W. 2015. Cyflwyno Tafodieithoedd y Gymraeg: Canllawiau i Actorion a Sgriptwyr.. [Online]. Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Available at: https://llyfrgell.porth.ac.uk/Default.aspx?catid=487
Research
Linguistic variation and change in Patagonian Welsh
Following initial field trips (made possible by Banco Santander and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol) in Chubut Province, Argentina, I am currently working on a project which focuses on the understudied variety of Patagonian Welsh from a historical and synchronic perspective.
One of the main aims of this project is to establish how exactly a new dialect of Welsh was formed in South America as a result of contact between different dialect varieties from Wales, and thereby challenge previous interpretations of new dialect formation processes in other colonial varieties around the globe. Another objective is to investigate some of the outcomes of language contact, i.e. the Spanish influence on this Welsh variety, with particular emphasis on the implications of current cross-generational changes for the pedagogical practices and resources of the British Council’s Welsh Language Project in Chubut Province.
Introducing the dialect of Welsh to actors and scriptwriters
Having been awarded a grant from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, I have created an educational resource, aimed at familiarising actors and scriptwriters with the various dialects of Welsh. ‘Cyflwyno Tafodieithoedd y Gymraeg: Canllawiau i Actorion a Sgriptwyr’ [‘Introducing the Dialects of Welsh: Guidelines for Actors and Sriptwriters’] contains several audio and audio-visual clips (on the Coleg’s website), in addition to detailed commentaries on several varieties of spoken Welsh. This resource has led to invitations to collaborate with numerous non-academic stakeholders on various projects, e.g. Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru (the Welsh-language National Theatre), BBC Cymru and the National Centre for Learning Welsh, as well as several popular fiction authors. I have also been invited to lead several master classes alongside the coach and award-winning actress Rhian Morgan.
The acquisition of Welsh as a second language & ‘The Anatomy of Welsh’ project
Having led a project on the acquisition of Welsh as a second language and published an article (with Dr Jonathan Morris) on tutors’ perceptions of Welsh learners’ pronunciation difficulties, several of our recommendations have now been implemented by the National Centre for Learning Welsh.
More recently, Dr Jonathan Morris and I have also played a pivotal role in another interdisciplinary project entitled ‘The Anatomy of Welsh’ (together with colleagues from CUBRIC). The broad aim of this project, funded by the university’s ‘Innovation for All’ programme and the EHRC, was to explore the applicability of MRI technology as a pedagogic tool that can help learners of Welsh to overcome pronunciation difficulties.
Teaching
BA Cymraeg
- CY1600 Iaith ac Ystyr (Arweinydd)
- CY1754 Mapio'r Cymry
- CY2450/CY3450 Tafodieitheg (Arweinydd)
- CY3750 Cyfieithu Proffesiynol (Arweinydd)
- CY2360/CY3360 Ysgrifennu Creadigol
- CY3900 Blas ar Ymchwil
- CY3905 Ymchwilio Estynedig
MA Astudiaethau Cymreig a Cheltaidd / MA Translation Studies
- CYD405 Ymchwilio Academaidd a Phroffesiynol
- CYD406 Archwilio Astudiaethau Cymreig a Cheltaidd
- CYD407 Pwnc Arbenigol
- CYD408 Prosiect Estynedig / Extended Project
- MLT411 Translation of Minority Languages
Biography
Professional memberships
- Chair of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol's Panel for Welsh Language and Literature
- Member of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol's Academic Board
- Member of the British Academy's 'Datblygiad yr Iaith Gymraeg' (Development of the Welsh Language) project
- External Examinar of Linguistics at Bangor University
- Member of the Board of the Welsh Language Project in Chubut Province (British Council Cymru & Welsh Government)
- Member of the National Centre for Learning Welsh's Pronunciation Forum
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Current service to the School of Welsh
- Director of the Cardiff Centre for Welsh American Studies
- Director of Internationalisation and Student Mobility
- School Ethics Officer
- (I have also served as Director of Recruitment and Admissions and Chair of the Exam Board for WELSH)
