Why Malta needs a serious language framework

Malta is officially a bilingual country. Maltese and English are both official languages, while Maltese also holds the status of national language, as enshrined in Article 5 of the Constitution.

Bilingualism brings significant advantages to our economy and society, opening doors to international communication, education, tourism and employment.

However, bilingualism also carries responsibilities; it requires us to protect, respect and actively use both languages. Unfortunately, this balance is currently being lost.

Part of the problem may lie in a misunderstanding of what bilingualism actually entails. It does not mean it is sufficient to use either Maltese or English.

On the contrary, it means both languages are recognised, utilised and valued, and that every citizen has the right to communicate in whichever of the two languages they choose.

Language and identity are deeply interconnected. In a context of rapid demographic change, it is vital to reflect on what our bilingual status means in practice.

While bilingualism is an important intellectual and cognitive resource for everyone, for the migrant community, proficiency in both languages is a key tool for successful integration and to contribute more fully to society.

If linguistic tensions are ignored, they risk feeding frustration and undermining social cohesion – an outcome that serves no one’s interest. If we want to prevent these situations from developing into wider social friction, we must sustain bilingualism properly.

Many Maltese schools are already implementing effective bilingual strategies when communicating with parents. Since staff are usually proficient in both languages, one-to-one meetings often take place in the parent’s preferred tongue.

Many schools issue circulars in both languages, while others hold information sessions in Maltese while providing English slides or subtitles.

I have seen parents support one another through informal interpreting, and in some cases, additional staff are engaged to hold separate meetings in different languages.

These initiatives require time, planning and resources. They carry financial and human costs and often depend solely on the goodwill of individual schools, operating without any clear national policies or official frameworks which are desperately needed.

Regrettably, this same commitment is far less visible in society at large.

Although we pride ourselves on our bilingualism, Malta’s linguistic landscape often suggests otherwise. In many bilingual nations, road signs, public notices and official information appear in both languages. In Malta, this remains far from standard practice.

Some may argue that bilingual presentation is impractical, but in reality, visibility matters. Public language use sends a message about whose language counts and whose rights are being acknowledged.

Bilingualism also carries responsibilities; it requires us to protect, respect and actively use both languages- Phylisienne Vassallo Gauci

The issue is equally prevalent in everyday services. In shops, clinics and customer care settings, people are increasingly asked to “speak in English, please”. Many hesitate to declare a preference for Maltese for fear of being labelled a

‘difficult’ client, or simply because there is no one available to serve them in the national language anyway.

This is where the system is failing.

Speaking Maltese in Malta and expecting a service in Maltese is not being ‘difficult’. It is not a sign of a lack of education, provincialism, nationalism or narrow-mindedness. It is a constitutional right.

That right is too often overlooked because it is seen as incompatible with an economy-driven model that prioritises rapid growth over linguistic obligations.

Malta undoubtedly depends on foreign workers, whose contribution is essential. They should not be blamed for a system that tells them English alone is sufficient. A system that is more eager to fill vacancies than to assess language competence or provide necessary training.

Responsibility lies elsewhere. It lies with employers and the competent authorities. They must ensure that workers are prepared to meet the linguistic needs of both the Maltese- and English-speaking populations. At present, language competence is too often treated as secondary; Maltese is rarely listed as a requirement, even in roles involving direct service to the public.

Recent government initiatives may be a step in the right direction. However, if the expected level of Maltese is limited to basic phrases like “bonġu”, “il-lejl it-tajjeb” or “għandi l-ġuħ”, we are not truly addressing service quality or language rights in any meaningful way. Symbolic measures are not enough.

What Malta needs is a serious national commitment to bilingualism. This means clear policies, realistic language standards, proper training and robust support for employers to ensure that the rights of both Maltese and English speakers are protected.

If bilingualism is one of Malta’s defining strengths, it must be sustained not only in principle, but in practice.

Phyllisienne Vassallo Gauci is a linguist, senior lecturer and head of the Department of Inclusion and Access to Learning at the Faculty of Education, University of Malta.