heddlu iaith

Welsh

Etymology

From heddlu (“police”) +‎ iaith (“language”), "language police".

Pronunciation

• (North Wales) IPA^(key): /ˌhɛðlɨ̞ ˈjai̯θ/
• (South Wales) IPA^(key): /ˌhɛðli ˈjai̯θ/

Noun

heddlu iaith m (uncountable, not mutable)

1. (derogatory) language police, grammar Nazis (especially in the context of the Welsh language)
   • 2018 September 10, BBC Cymru Fyw‎^[1]:

     Pan mae'n dod at sgrifennu a siarad Cymraeg mae 'na wastad heddlu iaith o gwmpas yn barod i gywiro a beirniadu ond o bryd i'w gilydd mae'r heddlu go iawn angen help gyda iaith.

     When it comes to writing and speaking Welsh there are always language police about ready to correct and criticise but from time to time the actual police need help with language.

   • 2022 September, Huw Onllwyn, Golwg‎^[2]:

     Herio'r Heddlu Iaith

     Challenging the Grammar Nazis