The Maltese Language

Whenever I say that I am Maltese, one of the next questions is usually: Is that Italian?  Do you speak Italian in Malta? or something similar.

Although Malta is very close to Italy, in the middle of the Mediterranean, it has a unique language of its own.  In fact, Maltese is an Arabic dialect which uses the Roman alphabet. It is also the only Semitic language to be officially recognized in the European Union.

Above are the first two stanzas of Psalm 23 in Maltese (The Lord is my shepherd).

Actually, Malta has two official  languages.  One is, of course, Maltese but the other is English.  It is the only island in the Mediterranean that has English an an official language.

Now you know.

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances the book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos. The book is available through Amazon.

Author: Anne Pflug

I presently live in Venice Florida but was born on the island of Malta. I have relatives there and visit quite often. I am in the process of writing a travelogue and memoir about my visits and memories of Malta. I would like to use my blog to show the many photos I have taken and the beautiful sights that I have seen in Malta. View all posts by Anne Pflug