Language Beyond Words: Maltese
The Origin of Maltese
Maltese dates back to the 9th century, when Arab forces from North Africa conquered Malta in 870 CE. The Arabic spoken by these settlers, known as Siculo-Arabic, became the foundation of Maltese. Even after Arab political control ended, the local population continued speaking this form of Arabic. Over time, it evolved independently from other Arabic dialects. While Modern Standard Arabic developed elsewhere, Maltese followed its own path, shaped by isolation and later European influence.
Malta’s strategic location made it a prized possession for European powers. After Arab rule, the islands came under Norman control in 1091, linking Malta to the Kingdom of Sicily and later to other European states. For centuries, Italian (particularly Sicilian) influenced the island. Large portions of Maltese vocabulary especially in law, administration, and culture come from Italian. Words related to government, art, and education often have Romance origins. In 1530, Malta was granted to the Knights of St. John (also known as the Order of St. John). During their rule, Italian remained the language of administration, while Maltese continued as the spoken language of the people.
Later, in 1800, Malta became part of the United Kingdom. British rule introduced English, which left a lasting impact. Many modern Maltese words particularly in technology, business, and everyday life are borrowed from English. For centuries, Maltese was primarily a spoken language. Italian and later English were used for official documents and literature. It wasn’t until the 19th and early 20th centuries that Maltese began to be standardized and written more widely.
A major turning point came in 1934, when Maltese was officially recognized as a language of administration, alongside English replacing Italian. This marked a significant step in strengthening national identity. When Malta gained independence in 1964, Maltese was declared the national language. In 2004, when Malta joined the European Union, Maltese became one of the EU’s official language, an extraordinary achievement for a language spoken by fewer than half a million people.
In the general population, there is a trend towards increased used of English, and many parents nowadays choose to bring up their children in English. There are an estimated 500,000 Maltese speakers, 400,000 of which lives in Malta. Unlike other Semitic languages such as Arabic language or Hebrew language, Maltese uses the Latin alphabet, with additional letters such as ċ, ġ, għ, and ħ to represent specific sounds. This adaptation reflects Malta’s European ties while preserving its Semitic phonetic system, a visual symbol of its blended heritage.
Today, both Maltese and English are official languages of Malta. The Semitic core of Maltese remains strong. Basic vocabulary, grammar structure, and verb patterns clearly show its Arabic ancestry. Words like dar (house) and omm (mother) are directly rooted in Arabic. The percentage of borrowed words is estimated to be more than 50%. It is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet.
Alphabet:
A B Ċ D E F Ġ G H Ħ I IE J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Z Ż
a b ċ d e f ġ g h ħ i ie j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x z ż
Maltese Literature
The earliest known written work in Maltese is Il-Kantilena (15th century), attributed to Pietru Caxaro. This poem is considered the oldest surviving text in Maltese and offers a glimpse into the language during its formative period. Though heavily influenced by Sicilian poetic style, it clearly reflects Maltese’s Semitic roots.
For centuries, Italian was the language of literature, law, and education in Malta. During the rule of the Knights of St. John (1530–1798), Italian served as the language of culture and intellectual life. Even during British rule (beginning in 1800), Italian remained influential among the educated classes. Maltese, though widely spoken, was often seen as unsuitable for literature. This created a linguistic tension: while the people spoke Maltese, literary prestige belonged to Italian. The 19th century marked a turning point. Writers and intellectuals began advocating for Maltese as a legitimate literary medium. Standardization efforts gained momentum, particularly in the early 20th century.
One of the most important figures of this era was Dun Karm Psaila (1871–1961), widely regarded as Malta’s national poet. Initially writing in Italian, he later shifted to Maltese and helped elevate it into a language of philosophical and lyrical depth. His poetry explored identity, spirituality, and nationalism.
Another key figure was Mikiel Anton Vassalli (1764–1829), often called the “Father of the Maltese Language.” Though earlier than Dun Karm, his work in grammar, translation, and linguistic advocacy laid the groundwork for Maltese literary development.
In 1934, Maltese was officially recognized as an official language of Malta, strengthening its literary status. Malta’s independence in 1964 brought a surge of national consciousness. Literature became a vehicle for exploring identity, colonial legacy, religion, and modernity. Writers began experimenting with prose fiction, drama, and modernist poetry.
Oliver Friggieri – novelist, poet, and literary critic who deeply influenced Maltese literary scholarship. Verses from Friggieri's poem "Jekk" ("If") can be found printed on some bus shelters around Malta. This led to the poem being known as "the bus stop poem" by the general public.
Francis Ebejer – known for exploring psychological and social themes. He is regarded as one of the most influential writers in Maltese history, inspiring generations of writers beyond his death. Ebejer’s works have been translated into Italian, French, German, Spanish, Polish, Japanese and Flemish.
Immanuel Mifsud – whose works often confront political and personal trauma. He has written novels, short story and poetry collections, and also books for children. In 2011, he became the first Maltese writer to win the European Union Prize for Literature.
Pierre J. Mejlak – known for short fiction that captures modern Maltese life. He won the 2014 European Union Prize for Literature, Malta, Dak li l-Lejl Iħallik Tgħid.
Lara Calleja – Recognized for her work focusing on Maltese society and landscape, she is the first Maltese woman to win the European Prize for Literature.
Clare Azzopardi – A prominent author and educator whose work, including Kulħadd ħalla isem warajh (The names they left behind), won the National Book Prize for Fiction in 2015.
Maltese Art
Maltese art begins between 3600 and 2500 BCE, prehistoric communities built some of the world’s oldest free-standing stone structures, including the remarkable Ġgantija temples on Gozo.
These temple sites also including Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra contain carved stone reliefs, spiral motifs, and sculptural figures. The famous “Sleeping Lady” figurine, discovered at the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, reveals sophisticated symbolic and artistic sensibilities. These early works demonstrate that artistic expression in Malta began as part of ritual and religious life a theme that would continue for millennia.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Malta passed through Byzantine and Arab rule before becoming part of the Kingdom of Sicily. Medieval art in Malta was primarily religious. Church frescoes, iconography, and decorative stone carvings reflected strong Byzantine and later Romanesque influences. Surviving medieval wall paintings, though rare, show connections to Sicilian artistic traditions, emphasizing sacred imagery over individual artistic identity.
A dramatic transformation occurred in 1530 when Malta was granted to the Knights of St. John. Under their rule, Malta became a Baroque stronghold. The construction of Valletta after the Great Siege of 1565 ushered in a golden age of architecture and visual arts. Churches, palaces, and auberges were richly decorated to reflect the power and piety of the Order. The most significant artistic figure of this period was Caravaggio, who arrived in Malta in 1607. During his stay, he painted masterpieces including The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, which remains housed in St. John's Co-Cathedral. His dramatic use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) deeply influenced Maltese religious art. Baroque sculpture, painting, and elaborate church interiors came to define Maltese visual culture.
One of the leading painters of 18th-century Malta, Francesco Zahra was a central figure in late Baroque religious art.
A prolific church painter, Gio Nicola Buhagiar produced numerous devotional works and altarpieces.
When Malta became part of the United Kingdom in 1800, artistic tastes shifted again. British colonial presence introduced neoclassical and Victorian aesthetics. Art education became more formalized, and Maltese artists increasingly studied abroad, especially in Rome and London. Portraiture, landscape painting, and public monuments became prominent.
A leading neoclassical artist, Giuseppe Hyzler studied in Rome and brought refined academic techniques back to Malta.
One of Malta’s most important 19th-century painters, Giuseppe Calì is best known for his large-scale religious works.
Although more active into the early 20th century, Edward Caruana Dingli became prominent in the late 19th century. He is especially known for portraiture, capturing Malta society during the transition from Italian cultural dominance to British influence.
Frank Portelli was known for his strong social themes and bold, expressive style. His work often reflected Maltese society during times of change in the mid-20th century.
Another notable 20th-century figure was Anton Inglott, whose modernist approach marked a departure from strict academic traditions.
Hollywood, Water, and Sourdough
Malta’s historic cities have appeared in major films and series like Gladiator, Troy, and Game of Thrones. The capital, Valletta, often doubles as ancient Rome or medieval cities on screen.
Malta has no permanent rivers or natural lakes. Fresh water historically came from rainfall collection and underground aquifers.
Traditional sourdough bread (ħobż) is baked in stone ovens and is a staple of Maltese cuisine, especially in the popular sandwich ħobż biż-żejt (bread with olive oil, tomatoes, tuna, and capers).