Committee to change Maltese Language Act draws opposition

Six organisations committed to the development of the Maltese language said today they did not agree with the setting up of consultative committee to change the Maltese Language Act, insisting that the National Council for the Maltese Language enjoyed strong support.

The Akkademja tal-Malti, the university’s Għaqda tal-Malti, the Għaqda tal-Qarrejja tal-Provi, the university’s Department of Maltese, the university’s Institute of Linguistics and the Junior College Department of Maltese said that a public consultation exercise, open to everyone and attended by about 200 people, already took place on November 7.

“This exercise manifested clearly the opinions and aspirations of a wide range of people. We do not agree with changes which will weaken the Maltese Language Act.”

This public forum, the organisations said, wholeheartedly supported the National Council for Maltese and its work. This council, an autonomous organ, was the highest authority in Malta on Maltese, and its members together with the committees which it set up, were specialists in their field and worked on a voluntary basis.

“We who in our associations and institutions are involved in working for the development of...