In a significant cultural milestone, the four Gospels have been translated into the unique Welsh dialect of north Pembrokeshire. This launch took place at one of Wales’ largest cultural gatherings, highlighting the importance of preserving local languages and dialects.
Pembrokeshire’s Distinct Dialect
The Welsh dialect spoken in north Pembrokeshire stands out in a region where the south predominantly speaks English. This linguistic difference has inspired efforts to make the Gospels more accessible to the local community.
Rev Lyn Lewis Dafis: The Translator
Rev Lyn Lewis Dafis, known for his profound linguistic skills, was born in 1960 in Llain, Mynachlog-Ddu. He pursued Welsh Language and Literature at Aberystwyth University and dedicated 25 years to the National Library of Wales as a librarian. His passion for theology and communication made religious texts more relatable to all generations.
Besides his translation work, Dafis was an active contributor to Radio Cymru and various Welsh-language journals under the bardic name Dogfael. He was honored at the National Eisteddfod in 2002 and began blogging as Dogfael in 2005. Ordained as a deacon in 2015 and a priest in 2016, he served in various roles within the Anglican Church in Wales until his passing in 2022.
Translating the Gospels
Utilizing the Beibl Cymraeg Newydd (New Welsh Bible), Rev Dafis translated the four Gospels into the Welsh dialect of his native north Pembrokeshire. His translation, completed around 2000, was driven by a commitment to the Gospel and a love for his homeland’s linguistic heritage. Although it remained unpublished during his lifetime, it has since been made publicly accessible.
Bringing the Gospels to Life in Audio
With the blessing of Dafis’s family, the translation was eventually published online as Y Beder Ifengyl yn iaith Sir Benfro (The Four Gospels in Pembrokeshire Welsh). In 2026, the Bible Society commissioned an audio version, produced by Undeb yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg and Llyfrau Llafar Cymru, involving a team of volunteers from Pembrokeshire.
This audio rendition was featured on the BBC Cymru program Dechrau canu dechrau canmol on 31 May 2026, further highlighting its cultural significance.
Unveiling at the Eisteddfod
The audio Gospels were officially launched on 6 August 2026 during the Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire, a major Welsh cultural festival. Sian Rees from the Bible Society introduced the audio content and paid tribute to Rev Dafis. The Eisteddfod, one of Europe’s largest cultural events, attracts around 150,000 attendees, celebrating Welsh culture through arts and literature.
How to Listen
The four Gospels are accessible through the ap Beibl app, available for free download. Users can explore Y Beder Ifengyl on this platform, as well as through YouVersion.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
