Speak more Maltese or we risk losing the Maltese language, President George Vella has urged.

“No one is saying that we should abandon bilingualism. Let us use the two different languages at the right time and correctly. I appeal to everyone working in administration to use the Maltese language correctly”  Vella said.

He said this during the “L-ilsien Malti Għal Qalbi – Konferenza Dwar L-Użu Ta’ Lsienna Fostna” which was attended by people in managerial and administrative positions in the public sector.

He also urged Maltese media to use the language correctly so while it “remains alive and continues to develop, it does not change uncontrollably”.

Kit Azzopardi, on behalf of the Maltese language organisations, said “in order to bring about a change in culture and in the attitude towards languages, we require political and executive will. It is pointless to conduct research and develop new and excellent resources, if you are not aware of them or continue to insist on a monolingual reality”.

“Now we must move from words to action and do what is necessary to use the Maltese language correctly,” Vella ended.