The Maltese Language
Maltese (Il-Malti) is one of the most fascinating languages in the world — and a living testament to Malta's turbulent history. It is the only Semitic language written in Latin script, and the only Arabic language that is an official language of an EU country.
The foundation is a North African Arabic dialect from the time of Arab rule (870–1091 AD). Layered upon this are massive influences from Sicilian and Italian (centuries under southern Italian rule) and English (British colonial period). The result is a language partially understandable to Arabic speakers, yet also containing words recognizable to any German: “skola" (school), “natura" (nature), “kompjuter" (computer).
Useful Words & Pronunciation
| Maltese | German | Pronunciation Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Bonġu | Good Morning | Bon-dschu |
| Saħħa | Bye / Bless you | Sa-ha |
| Grazzi | Thank you | Gra-tsi |
| Jekk jogħġbok | Please | Jek jo-dsch-bok |
| Iva / Le | Yes / No | I-wa / Le |
| Kemm? | How much? | Kemm |
| Fejn? | Where? | Fein |
Most Maltese speak fluent English — it is the second official language and the language of instruction in schools. Many also speak Italian (due to TV reception from Sicily). For tourists, English is completely sufficient, but a “Bonġu" or “Grazzi" is rewarded with a warm smile.
