Maltese Language Council’s 18-Month Silence Raises Concerns

In the heart of Valletta, at the historic Auberge de Castille, the office of the Maltese Language Council lies quiet. Too quiet. For the past 18 months, this body tasked with promoting and protecting the Maltese language has been eerily silent, its wheels spinning no more. Why? And what does this mean for our national identity?

The Maltese Language Council was established in 2016, a promise fulfilled from the 2013 election manifesto. Its creation was hailed as a victory for Maltese, a language often overshadowed by its English and Italian cousins. The council was to be the guardian of our linguistic heritage, ensuring Maltese thrived in a multilingual world. Yet, here we are, six years later, with the council’s last meeting held in December 2020.

Dr. Albert Harkins, a respected linguist and former council member, expresses his concern, “The council’s inactivity is alarming. Maltese is a young language, still evolving. It needs nurturing, not neglect.”

Attempts to reach the council’s chairperson, Dr. Antonella Vassallo, and other members proved futile. Emails bounced back, phone calls went unanswered. The council’s website remains unchanged since 2020, a digital graveyard of old news and unfulfilled promises.

Meanwhile, the council’s budget, a hefty €150,000 per year, continues to be allocated. Where is this money going? What services are being provided? The silence from the council and the responsible ministry is deafening.

While the council languishes, Maltese faces challenges. English continues to dominate, especially among the youth. The language is under threat, not just from English, but also from the global influence of social media and international content.

Prof. Joseph Brincat, a Maltese language expert, warns, “If we don’t promote and protect Maltese, we risk losing it. It’s happening in other small nations. We must learn from their mistakes.”

All is not lost. The council can be revived. It needs a shake-up, a new vision, and dedicated members. It needs to engage with the public, especially the youth, and create meaningful initiatives to promote Maltese.

Dr. Harkins suggests, “Let’s make Maltese cool. Let’s use it in pop culture, in tech, in education. Let’s make it relevant to today’s generation.”

It’s high time we demand answers. It’s high time we save our language. Because Maltese is more than just words. It’s our identity, our culture, our heritage. And it deserves better than this silent treatment.