Peppi Azzopardi's call to prioritise English over Maltese sparks backlash

A comment by Peppi Azzopardi suggesting that English should take precedence over Maltese as the main language of instruction in schools has triggered an online backlash.

Azzopardi made the remarks while appearing on Popolin on TVM, during a discussion on the future of the Maltese language and concerns over its possible decline.

During the programme, host Quinton Scerri asked whether Azzopardi was worried that many Maltese people prefer speaking English over their native language.

Although describing himself as deeply passionate about Maltese - having written stories, plays and songs in the language - Azzopardi said he believes English should be prioritised in education.

“I believe that in schools, we should teach English first and then Maltese,” he said.

He argued that those who do not learn English are placed at a disadvantage compared to those who do, particularly in circumstances where only Maltese is spoken at home.

Azzopardi also argued that the way poetry is taught in schools has alienated generations of Maltese students.

He said that, rather than being encouraged to appreciate and understand poetry, children are often taught to “dissect” it, focusing heavily on elements such as rhyme and rhythm.

He further suggested that the Maltese language should be allowed to evolve, even floating the idea of removing certain letters, including ‘għ’ and ‘ħ’.

“Why, when writing ‘għax’, do I need to add the għ? To complicate our lives? Leave them out,” he suggested.

The comments by the former Xarabank presenter sparked a debate on social media, with many highlighting that both languages should be given equal importance and taught equally. Others highlighted that today, most children struggle to learn Maltese, not English.

When contacted, Azzopardi said that, as a child at school, he was forced to speak English.

“Honestly, if I didn’t have that experience at school, I would have never learnt how to speak and think in English, as we only spoke Maltese at home,” he said.

When asked whether he was concerned that Maltese was an inferior language and might die in future, Azzopardi said the language would never disappear if people continued to use it and evolve it.

“We will kill the language if we keep it the same and if we do not evolve and adapt the language to how people speak it and write it down," he said.

"Why all this fuss when people say “nirrilassa” (to relax/rest) instead of nistrieħ (to rest/relax)? People command the language."

Ensure neither language is diminished 

Speaking to Times of Malta, Jacqueline Zammit, a resident senior lecturer in Maltese pedagogy at the University of Malta, said Azzopardi's arguments that children should be taught English first are not an abstract concern.

She said they come from the reality of those who grew up without a strong proficiency in English and found themselves at a disadvantage in education and employment. 

"In practice, English often operates as a form of linguistic capital. It can open doors. It can shape outcomes," she said.

"But the question is not whether English matters. It clearly does. The more difficult question is what happens when language is reduced solely to its functional value."

She argued that a language shapes how people think, how they interpret the world and their thoughts, and how they relate to others. 

"A society that prioritises language solely as a tool of economic mobility may produce efficiency, but not necessarily depth. This is where the debate becomes less about English versus Maltese, and more about what kind of citizens we hope to cultivate," she said.

"There is, in Peppi Azzopardi’s argument, an implicit awareness of inequality, a concern that those from working-class backgrounds may be left behind if English is not prioritised early. Yet there is also a paradox. To respond to inequality by shifting entirely towards English risks reproducing a different kind of imbalance: one that echoes older hierarchies, where Maltese was confined to the private sphere, while authority and advancement belonged elsewhere. The solution, therefore, cannot lie in replacing one language with another. It must lie in strengthening both."

Zammit said English can and should remain a powerful tool for opportunity. But Maltese must remain a language of thought, of creativity, of intellectual and cultural expression. 

"To reduce Maltese to utility, or English to mere instrumentality, is to misunderstand both."

Kurt Meli, a freelance interpreter and TikTok creator who makes videos about the Maltese language, said Azzopardi’s argument was harmful, as for years, English has been portrayed as the superior language.

He emphasised that the education system prioritised teaching the English language over Maltese. “Now we have a swathe of the population who feel insecure in their ability to use their own native language, and another segment of the population who believe Maltese is not suitable for serious topics or discussions,” he said.

He said English is a valuable language to learn, but it is ‘inescapable’ given that it is the preferred language used in social media, books, and videos. 

Another guest on Wednesday’s show was Yana Psaila, a Russian-Maltese linguist and translator, who said that when she first moved to Malta 22 years ago, she realised the importance of learning the national language, especially if she wanted to integrate into society.

“I really enjoyed learning the language, as I could understand the mentality of the people and the history of the country,” she said.

“I believe foreigners today have enough resources to learn the language. There are diverse courses available," she added.

She said the foreigners who decide to move and settle in Malta should also have the desire to learn the language and respect the locals.

Other guests argued that instead of emphasising that the Maltese language is dying, there should be more positivity on the fact that many locals are bilingual or trilingual.