When writing link text that is accessible and understandable in Welsh, it is necessary to pay attention to some considerations that are specific to the language.
This is an adaptation of the corresponding Welsh-language guide. That was written for Welsh-speaking practitioners. This version is to help non-Welsh speakers to get the gist and share with colleagues.
All examples will remain in Welsh.
This builds on resources such as:
I’m not going to repeat those helpful guidelines here, but read them to understand the wider topic.
Links and the imperative
Links should describe one of these two things:
- the content that is at the other end of the link
- the action that the user can perform
If you are suggesting or proposing a direct action to a user within a sentence, use the imperative mode:
- Cysylltwch â’r swyddfa… (Contact the office)
- Gwnewch gais am… (Apply for)
- Talwch am… (Pay for)
To explain further, here is a Welsh language example of a link in a sentence on gov.wales:
- “i gael teithio ar fysiau am ddim gwnewch gais am bàs bws.”
When to avoid the imperative
Link text should not contain a verb that describing how the user should act to access – or understand – the information. That is:
- Darllenwch am… (Read about…)
- Ewch i… (Go to…)
- Darganfyddwch… (Find…)
- Defnyddiwch y… (Use the …)
- Dysgwch am… (Learn about…)
- Cliciwch ar… (Click on…)
There’s nothing to say you can’t use those verbs within sentences, just not in the link text itself.
Use the infinitive of a verb in buttons
If button text represents a task that the user is navigating themselves, use the infinitive verb.
Buttons contain common actions such as:
- Dechrau arni (Getting started)
- Parhau (Continue)
- Arbed a pharhau (Save and continue)
- Cyflwyno (Submit)
- Cwblhau (Complete)
- Anfon (Send)
Use the infinitive of a verb in headings, navigation links and titles:
Use the verb noun if you are writing a:
- page title
- heading
- link in a menu
- any link not in a sentence
Examples include:
- Gwneud cais am… (Apply for)
- Trefnu… (Book…)
- Archebu… (Order..)
This is because these are describing the action in order to direct the user to the right place.
Avoid the impersonal
Do not use impersonal forms of ‘-er’ or -‘ed’. These are less familiar, less direct and less user-friendly.
- Gweler (See)
- Defnyddier (Use)
- Darllener (Read)
- Eled (Go)
Links to content in another language
GOV.UK suggests adding text to links that go to another language
For example:
- ‘trwydded car, ee o awtomatig i drawsyriant gyda llaw (yn Saesneg)’ where ‘yn Saesneg’ means ‘in English’.
In conclusion
These are general guidelines. I’m sure you’ll come across occasions where there is ambiguity, especially within sentences. In those situations, you should:
- remember and consider the good practice that has been shared here
- test links with screen readers
- always prioritise clarity and directness