Malta’s Dictionary Breaks Taboo: Informal Words Make the Cut

Malta’s Taboo Words: From Profanity to Proudly Printed

Imagine walking into a local bookstore, browsing through the latest edition of the Maltese dictionary, and finding words like ‘fotna’ and ‘kif kif’ staring back at you. This isn’t a joke or a typo. It’s a sign of the times, as Malta’s national dictionary has just welcomed its first batch of colloquial and informal words, including some that were once considered too ‘dirty’ for print.

Breaking the Language Barrier

For years, the Maltese dictionary has been a bastion of formality, reflecting the language’s rich history and literary tradition. But as Maltese evolved, so did its speakers. Today, Maltese is as much about street slang as it is about poetry. The dictionary’s latest edition, published by the National Council for the Maltese Language, finally acknowledges this reality.

“It’s about time,” says Dr. Loranne Vella, a linguist at the University of Malta. “Language is a living thing. It changes, it grows, and it reflects the society that speaks it. Our dictionaries should too.”

From Street to Page

Some of the new entries are innocuous enough: ‘kif kif’ (meaning ‘like for like’) and ‘x’jabber’ (to chat). Others, like ‘fotna’ (a crude term for a part of the anatomy) and ‘hnejja’ (a vulgar exclamation), are decidedly more colourful. But they’re all part of Malta’s linguistic scene, and their inclusion is a step towards a more comprehensive reflection of the language.

Take ‘fotna’, for instance. It’s a word you’d hear more often in the bustling markets of Marsaxlokk than in the hushed halls of the University. But it’s a part of Maltese, nonetheless. “We can’t ignore these words just because they’re not polite,” says Dr. Vella. “They’re part of our language, our culture. And our dictionary should reflect that.”

Of course, not everyone is thrilled about the change. Some have criticized the decision, arguing that it trivializes the language. But others see it as a sign of progress, a recognition of the diversity of Maltese. “It’s about time we start embracing all aspects of our language,” says Mark, a 25-year-old from Birkirkara. “It’s not just about the fancy words. It’s about the way we talk to each other every day.”