Language change

Oliver Friggieri, a professor of Maltese literature and a poet who has been published in numerous languages, writes about the individual's relationship with God, society and history/destiny. He considers religion, history and language as the main pillars of the Maltese identity. He was interviewed by Deutsche Welle last year in conjunction with the German Chancellor's visit to Malta about the implication's of EU membership on the development of the Maltese language:

But some, such as Oliver Friggieri, a Maltese poet and literature professor, say Maltese is irreplaceable as a mother language. Friggieri himself also teaches in English, but he's convinced that his countrymen won't give up Maltese completely: The language is changing more than any other in Europe, according to him. "It will probably end up as a completely new language that's half Maltese and half English," Friggieri said..

But Friggieri still believes his mother language could help bridge the divide between Europe and the Arab world. "Maltese is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet," he said. "This combination is something unique that Malta has to offer."


Oliver Friggieri profile from Atlante Letterario Italiano

Extract from The Lie by Oliver Friggieri translated by Charles Briffa

Nidhol fis-silenzji tieghek - with a translation by the author