Lessons from Dizzjunarju.mt

Every so often, a project comes along that reminds us where real national progress originates. The recent launch of Dizzjunarju.mt is one such example. While political debate often focuses on announcements and electoral promises, this initiative stands as a testament to something more enduring: the value of scholarship, research and long-term investment in education.

As a graduate and current student of the Department of Maltese at the University of Malta, I immediately recognised the practical importance of this new resource. Maltese is not merely a subject I study; it is a language I use extensively in my professional life. For this reason, I have little doubt that Dizzjunarju.mt will become an indispensable tool not only for students and academics but also for journalists, educators, public officials and many others who work in Maltese every day.

My interest in this issue predates the launch of Dizzjunarju.mt. In 2022, I wrote publicly about the proposed development of a Maltese spell-checker, a project that had featured in successive budget speeches but had yet to materialise. At the time, I argued that investing in digital language tools was essential for the long-term vitality of Maltese. That conviction remains unchanged today.

For years, successive governments referred to the development of a spell-checking tool for Maltese. The ambition was entirely legitimate. If Maltese is to remain fully functional in an increasingly digital world, it must be supported by modern technological resources. Yet, despite repeated announcements, the spell-checker never emerged in the form originally envisaged. Technical challenges, procurement difficulties and financial constraints were often cited as reasons.

Developing language technology for a small linguistic community is undoubtedly complex. Nevertheless, one cannot help but wonder whether the outcome might have been different had greater priority been given to this area. Malta has rarely lacked resources to spend; the challenge has often been deciding where best to invest them.

If Malta is serious about strengthening the position of Maltese in the digital age, it must be prepared to invest accordingly

The story of Dizzjunarju.mt therefore offers an important lesson. The future of Maltese will not be secured through political promises alone. It depends on the patient work of researchers, linguists and educators who dedicate years to developing the foundations upon which future innovations can be built.

It is important to distinguish between these two realities. The spell-checker was principally a political commitment. Dizzjunarju.mt, on the other hand, is the product of sustained academic endeavour. While both seek to strengthen the position of Maltese in the modern world, they arise from fundamentally different processes. One begins with a promise; the other is built through research.

One lesson I have learnt as both a graduate and current student of the Department of Maltese is that meaningful academic achievements are seldom the result of sudden inspiration. They are built over years of meticulous research, linguistic analysis and collaboration.

Having had the privilege of being taught by many of the academics involved in this field, I appreciate the dedication behind projects such as Dizzjunarju.mt. Their work may rarely capture public attention but its contribution to Malta’s linguistic, cultural and intellectual heritage is immeasurable.

For this reason, the launch of Dizzjunarju.mt should be viewed not merely as the unveiling of a new digital platform but as a reminder of the value of our academic institutions. The University of Malta, and, particularly, its Department of Maltese, continues to make a significant contribution to the preservation, study and modernisation of our national language. This contribution deserves both recognition and support.

Indeed, one of the most important lessons from Dizzjunarju.mt concerns investment. If Malta is serious about strengthening the position of Maltese in the digital age, then it must be prepared to invest accordingly. The success of this project should encourage policymakers to provide greater support for the University of Malta, for linguistic research and for the development of language technologies. More broadly, it should strengthen the case for increased investment in education across the board.

Perhaps this is why a quotation I recently came across online resonated with me: “A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout your life.” The quote is frequently attributed to Winston Churchill, although I cannot verify whether he actually said it. If it is indeed his, the attribution is fitting. If it is not, the sentiment remains no less valuable.

At its heart lies a simple but profound idea: words matter. The quality of our language shapes the quality of our thought, our communication and, ultimately, our public life.

Dizzjunarju.mt is more than a digital dictionary. It is evidence that when Malta invests in education, research and expertise, meaningful results follow. Political promises are important; indeed, many worthwhile national projects begin as political commitments. When such promises are implemented, they can bring about tangible and lasting improvements.

Yet, promises alone are not enough. Lasting progress requires sustained support, institutional commitment and the expertise needed to transform ambition into reality.

Dizzjunarju.mt stands as a reminder that the most enduring achievements are often born from the successful partnership between public vision and academic excellence. That may be the most important lesson of all.

James Aaron Ellul is director of Informa PN.