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Event: The Role of Maltese in a National Language Policy

Date:  Saturday 3 May 2025

Time:  08:30-14:30

Venue: Aula Magna, Valletta Campus, St Paul Street, Valletta

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A conference in Maltese entitled "Il-Malti f'Politika Lingwistika Nazzjonali" (The  Maltese in a National Linguistic Policy) will be held on Saturday, 3 May 2025. The event will take place at the Aula Magna, , St Paul Street, Valletta, starting at 08:30 with registration and coffee, and concluding at 14:30.

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Open Discussion

The main aim is to hold an open discussion on the role of the national language in a national language policy that is yet to be drafted. As part of this discussion, there will be contributions from a number of academics and professionals who deal with language in various sectors of life and work in Malta.

This conference is being organized by the Department of Policy, Politics & Governance (Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy) and the Department of Maltese (Faculty of Arts) 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 a series of conferences on politics, language, and literature.

The conference is open to the public and free of charge. Those interested in attending can register by sending an email .

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Five Sessions, Many Voices: 

In the first session, Prof. Ray Fabri, Chairperson of the Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology, and , Head of the , will speak about what language policy is.

In the second session, Ms Marija Bellia and Mr Thomas Pace, Executive Director of the National Council for the Maltese Language, will explore what other countries are doing in terms of language planning and compare this with the situation in Malta.

In the third session, and Dr Phyllisienne Vassallo Gauci will discuss intercultural relations in Malta and how these are linked to language.

The fourth session, chaired by , will feature a number of speakers from different fields discussing documents and practices related to sectoral language policy in Malta. and Mr Chris Ripard will speak about Maltese Sign Language; Prof. Ray Fabri and Mr Thomas Pace will address signage and public administration; will look at the broadcasting sector; and Ms Lara Stagno will focus on language policy in education; Mr George Mifsud will talk about school administration; will look at the language policy of the University of Malta; will speak about foreign workers and the Maltese language; and will focus on Maltese in the field of technology.

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Plenary Discussion and Closing

The fifth session, chaired by , will be a plenary discussion intended to lead to a set of recommendations for the drafting of a national language policy that recognises the central role of the national language in key areas of life in Malta.

The conference will close with remarks by , Head of the at the University of Malta.

This article is also available in Maltese.