The spelling of "roath" may seem confusing at first, but it is actually quite simple when broken down phonetically. The word is pronounced as /rəʊθ/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the "oa" sound making the long "o" sound as in "boat", and the "th" representing the voiceless dental fricative sound. Thus, the spelling of "roath" accurately represents its pronunciation in English. While unfamiliar to some, the spelling of "roath" is consistent with the rules of English phonetics.
The etymology of the word "Roath" can be traced back to the Welsh language. The word is derived from the Welsh word "rhaead" or "rhôd", which means "ford" or "enclosure". Roath is a district located in the city of Cardiff, Wales, and it is believed to have taken its name from the Roath Brook, which flows through the area and was historically crossed by a ford. Over time, "rhaead" or "rhôd" transformed into "Roath", and it has been used to refer to this area since at least the 12th century.