88 Years Ago, Maltese Was Declared Official Language Of Malta
It’s a special day today for Malta’s very own language!
88 years ago today, on 16th August 1934, Maltese was declared the official language of the Maltese islands, alongside English.
When this change occurred under the British administration, Maltese replaced Italian, which was previously also an official language of Malta.
The National Archives of Malta, along with Spunt, an educational research centre, announced the anniversary earlier today, commemorating the special day.
In a photo published by the National Archives, it features the main promoters of the Maltese language in the 1930s, including Dun Karm Psaila, Anton Buttigieg, Ġuże Aquilina and Dun Pietru Pawl Saydon.
Maltese is one of the 24 official languages of the European Union, and it’s spoken by communities as far-flung as Australia, Canada and the USA.
Over the last years, the Maltese language has been experiencing some problems, with English becoming even more favourable due to various reasons, such as the increasing number of foreigners in Malta.
Photo: Spunt.mt
“The current linguistic situation in Malta is a complex one, especially because both Maltese and the local variety of English, i.e. Maltese English, are used by most speakers, to different degrees of proficiency and in different contexts,” the National Council for the Maltese Language explains.
“The two languages influence one another in various subtle ways, and often resulting in code-switching and code-mixing.”
“Maltese gives its speakers a strong sense of identity and belonging, helping them to look ‘inwards’ and giving them a sense of tradition, continuity and history.”
“English helps them look ‘outwards’, allowing them to communicate directly with the rest of the world, and keeping them from becoming culturally isolated.”
Do you tend to speak in Maltese or English?
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