Maltese-language associations concerned about newly set up ‘consultative council’

Six associations have rallied together to express concerns at the recently set up consultative council for the Maltese language, claiming that such governmental interference in the way the Maltese language is handled can be detrimental to its development. 

In a press release published on 30 November, the education ministry announced that a consultative council is to be appointed by the education ministry to determine how the Maltese Language Act can be amended. 

The consultative council will aim to determine how the National Council can be strengthened through the contributions of new members, including research regarding the language and its future. Dr Mario Caruana will chair the council, which will comprise a representative of the National Council, as well as representatives of the translation, education and academic areas.

However, the move was heavily criticized in a statement issued on behalf of six different associations related to the Maltese language. Making reference to the fact that a previous consultation exercise – which took place on 7 November – already addressed concerns pertaining to the Maltese language in a public sphere, the statement added that the associations “do not agree with changes which will weaken the Maltese Language Act”.

“This exercise manifested clearly the opinions and aspirations of a wide range of people,” the associations said in the statement, adding that the National Council for Maltese already serves as a more than adequate safeguard for the language. 

“As one can see in detail from the publication which documents the Council’s work over the first 10 years of its existence, the widespread consultation which the Council continuously carries out in the different sectors of society is an integral part of the way it functions and reflects the spirit and the letter of the Act,” the statement said. 

“We who in our associations and institutions are involved in working for the development of Maltese in all sectors, strongly disagree that measures through which the Council’s autonomy would be whittled away and its work hindered, should be implemented by whatever Government happens to be in power, irrespective of its intentions,” the statement said. 

The associations added that, “pointless changes turn the clock backwards by several years, to the time when whoever was writing in Maltese was always uncertain in the face of contrasting opinions – often reached capriciously – by a few individuals. 

“This is something which those who have at heart the development of Maltese as a modern language definitely reject.”

The statement was issued by the following associations: L-Akkademja tal-Malti (The Maltese Language Academy), L-Għaqda tal-Malti – Università (The Maltese Language University Association), L-Għaqda tal-Qarrejja tal-Provi (The Association of Proof Readers), The Department of Maltese at the University of Malta, The Institute of Linguistics at the University of Malta and The Department of Maltese at the UOM Junior College.