Teach Your Cat Manx

Published by Y Lolfa in conjunction with Culture Vannin

The author of an unusual new handy pocket-sized book is hoping to use humour to inspire people to learn and use a few simple bits of Manx. Unlike many traditional phrasebooks, Teach Your Cat Manx shows that learning useful expressions doesn’t have to be boring or daunting, and makes picking up a few basics accessible to everyone.

“If you're going to teach your (or someone else's) cat a little Manx (and why wouldn't you?), this is the ideal place to start.” (Adrian Cain)

Every phrase is shown in both Manx and English, accompanied by appealing 1950s-style retro illustrations as well as help with the Manx pronunciation. There are over 60 expressions to practise from 'Mie lhiat nuiddragh?' (‘Do you want a cuddle?’) to 'Vel oo kiart dy liooar?' (‘Are you OK?’) - it’s an excellent and really fun introduction to learning Manx for all ages – and most of the phrases can also be used in non-cat related situations!

“It’s wonderful to see a revival in the language, with more adult learning classes and teaching in schools. As I’ve discovered whilst learning Welsh, it’s so important to start using a language outside the classroom, in order to normalise it. I want to help promote language-learning, especially languages such as Manx and Welsh, as they are of huge cultural and emotional value as well as being important to communities,” says author and illustrator Anne Cakebread.

The book is part of a series designed to help you learn a language while engaging with your favourite furry friend, and was inspired by Anne Cakebread’s bestseller Teach Your Cat Welsh (Y Lolfa, 2018). “The popularity of the series has been amazing! I was thrilled when Teach Your Cat Welsh was re-printed for the first time – but I’m amazed that it’s been reprinted three more times since! I was very keen to do a Manx version, with a wilful Manx cat as the star,” says Anne.

The book is intended to help Manx learners, tourists and people who are completely new to Manx.

Anne Cakebread is a freelance illustrator with over 20 years’ experience in publishing and TV, including cover art and illustrations for numerous books, magazines and adverts. She also illustrated sets and props for an award-winning children’s programme on S4C. She grew up and went to school in Radyr, Cardiff and now lives with her partner and four dogs in St Dogmaels.