‘Language Is A Living Thing’: Maltese Government Open To New Pronoun For Non-Binary People
Malta’s Parliamentary Secretary for Equality said she is open to a discussion on creating a new pronoun in Maltese for non-binary people and said all options should be explored.
“Over the past decade, Malta has experienced a significant societal change as more civil liberties were introduced granting equal rights to the LGBTIQ community,” a spokesperson for Rebecca Buttigieg told Lovin Malta.
“The change in legislation brought with it a new reality which society has accepted however, certain aspects still need to be addressed.”
@lovinmaltaofficial What do you make of this? 🤔👀 #malta #maltatiktok #lovinmalta #fypmalta #fyp #maltapride #LovinMalta #nonbinary #pronouns ♬ original sound – Lovin Malta
“Activists have brought up the issue of considering creating new pronouns in Maltese for non-binary people. Language is a living thing, it grows and changes and is one of the most effective means of self-expression. For this reason, I believe that we should kick-start a discussion, in partnership with the community, and explore all options that suit best the local context.”
The possibility of creating a new Maltese surname was recently raised by trans activist and teacher Amanda Cossai.
“In English, we use the polite pronoun ‘they/them’, but Maltese is a more gendered language which makes it harder,” Cossai said.
“Some take the literal translation and use ‘huma’ but I believe we must find or create a new word. Why not? Language is constantly evolving.”
Parliamentary secretary Rebecca Buttigieg addresses the 'Indaqs' launch
Cossai proposed a new pronoun during a discussion organised by PL youth branch Żgħażagħ Laburisti to mark the start of a new equality campaign called ‘Indaqs’.
Addressing the event, Buttigieg urged her party’s young politicians not to treat equality is a won battle in light of legal advances such as gay marriage and a gender identity law.
“The fact alone that people are asking whether we’ve done enough in terms of equality shows we have a lot left to do, including as a party,” she said.
Without being specific on what kind of changes she is envisaging, Buttigieg called for Parliament to be more “representative in terms of intersectionality” and urged people to come forward with suggestions, even if they weren’t mentioned in the PL’s manifesto.
“We have an ambitious plan in our manifesto but as we all know, there could be things we encounter in our lives life that mightn’t have been picked up in the manifesto,” she said.
Do you agree with this proposal?
READ NEXT: 'Cease And Desist Order Was Sent To Stop Her Meddling': Staġun Teatru Malta Hits Back At Scriptwriter
