Languages in Malta

Malta is officially a bilingual country, with both Maltese (Malti) and English serving as official languages. This dual ecosystem makes Malta incredibly attractive to expats and international businesses.

English is spoken fluently by nearly 90% of the population. All government forms, legal contracts, business meetings, and university lectures are conducted in English. You can comfortably live your entire life in Malta without speaking a word of Maltese. However, Malti remains the language of the home, the street, and the heart for the local population.

The Maltese language is a fascinating linguistic anomaly. It is the only Semitic language in the world written in the Latin alphabet, and the only Semitic language that is an official language of the European Union.

• Arabic Roots: The core grammar, syntax, and foundational vocabulary (words for numbers, basic verbs, family members) are derived from Siculo-Arabic, an extinct dialect of Arabic spoken in Sicily and Malta between the 9th and 14th centuries.
• Romance Influence: Because of centuries of rule by the Knights of St. John, Sicilian, and Italian influence, over 50% of the modern Maltese vocabulary consists of Italian and Sicilian loanwords (especially words related to government, religion, education, and art).
• English Additions: Following 164 years of British colonial rule, English loanwords have thoroughly permeated the language, especially concerning modern technology and business.

How languages are spoken in Malta varies significantly depending on the generation and the region.

• The Older Generation (60+)

  Primarily speak Maltese. Notably, this generation has an exceptionally high understanding of Italian. Before the 1990s, Maltese television was limited, so most households tuned into Italian channels (RAI/Mediaset). As a result, older Maltese people often speak fluent Italian.

• The Middle Generation (30-60)

  Perfectly bilingual in Maltese and English, easily code-switching (swapping between the two languages mid-sentence, sometimes called "Maltenglish"). They also generally have a strong grasp of Italian.

• The Younger Generation (Under 30)

  Heavily influenced by the internet and international media, English is overwhelmingly dominant. In certain areas (like Sliema and St. Julian's), many young locals consider English their primary language. However, their Italian proficiency is significantly lower than previous generations.

For native English or Romance language speakers, Maltese is notoriously difficult to master. This is primarily due to its Semitic grammar.

Unlike English or Spanish where you add a suffix to make a word plural (cat -> cats), Semitic languages often use "broken plurals" where the internal vowels of the word change entirely (e.g., Ktieb is book, Kotba is books). Furthermore, verbs are based on a complex three-consonant root system.

On the positive side, pronunciation is completely phonetic—you pronounce every letter exactly as it is written. Once you learn the specific Maltese letters (like ċ [ch], ġ [j], għ [silent/lengthens vowel], and ż [z]), reading becomes very straightforward.

If you wish to integrate deeper into the community or help your children with their homework, several excellent resources exist:

• Lifelong Learning Directorate: The Maltese government offers heavily subsidized, evening Maltese courses for foreigners. These run from October to May and are the most popular route for expats.
• University of Malta: Offers formal "Maltese as a Foreign Language" proficiency courses.
• Books: The "Maltese for Foreigners" series by Charles Daniel Saliba is the gold standard for self-study textbooks, available in all local bookstores.
• Online/YouTube: Channels like Malti b'Xejn or Learn Maltese provide excellent free introductory videos on pronunciation and basic vocabulary.
• Apps: While not on Duolingo, local apps like "Il-Malti" and "Kliem" offer digital flashcards and quizzes.

Using a few words of Maltese will immediately endear you to the locals. Here are the essentials: