University of MaltaA conference is to be held on the role of Maltese in a national language policy. The conference, in Maltese, is entitled “Il-Malti f’Politika Lingwistika Nazzjonali” (The Role of Maltese in a National Language Policy) and will be held on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, 8:30am to 2:30pm, in the Aula Magna, Valletta Campus, St Paul Street, Valletta.
The main aim is to hold an open discussion on the role of Maltese in such a policy, thus informing it potential drafting. The conference is being organised by the Department of Policy, Politics & Governance and the Department of Maltese at the University of Malta in collaboration with the National Council for the Maltese Language and the Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology at the University.
As part of this discussion, there will be contributions from various academics and professionals who deal with language in various sectors of life and work in Malta.
Image: L-Università ta’ Malta
Prof. Ray Fabri and Prof. Mario Thomas Vassallo will introduce what a language policy is, while Ms. Marija Bellia and Mr. Thomas Pace will explore what others are doing in terms of language planning and compare it with the situation in Malta. This will be followed by a session by Dr. Luke J. Buhagiar and Dr. Phyllisienne Vassallo Gauci who will discuss intercultural relations in Malta and their connections to language.
The next session will deal with language policies in specific sectors and will be chaired by Dr. Kurt Borg. Dr. Benjamin Matthews and Mr. Chris Ripard will speak about Maltese Sign Language; Prof. Ray Fabri and Mr. Thomas Pace will address signage and public administration; Prof. Michael Spagnol will look at the broadcasting sector; Mr. David Muscat and Ms. Lara Stagno will focus on language policy in education; Mr. George Mifsud will talk about school administration; Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino will look at the language policy of the University of Malta; Ms. Kirsty Azzopardi will speak about foreign workers and the Maltese language; and Dr. Marc Tanti will focus on Maltese in the field of technology.
The fifth and final session, chaired by Ms. Justine Somerville, will be a plenary discussion. The discussion will lead to a set of recommendations for the drafting of a national language policy that recognises the central role of Maltese in key areas of life in Malta.
The conference is open to the public and free of charge. Those interested in attending can register by sending an email to mariella.gambin@um.edu.mt or by filling in this short form.
