https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/1041 2026-07-19T22:03:31Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148110 Title: Il-lingwa tas-sinjali u r-rikonoxximent tagħha : analiżi fuq il-funzjoni, l-adozzjoni, u l-effettività tagħha Authors: Vassallo, Mario Thomas Abstract: Il-lingwi tas-sinjali jiffurmaw parti essenzjali mill-komunikazzjoni umana u jirrappreżentaw sistemi lingwistiċi kompluti li jiżviluppaw b’mod naturali fi ħdan komunitajiet b’nuqqas ta’ smigħ madwar id-dinja. Minkejja li ħafna drabi ġew trattati storikament bħala forom ta’ komunikazzjoni sekondarji jew mhux ekwivalenti għal-lingwi mitkellma, ix-xjenza lingwistika kontemporanja, flimkien mar-riformi tad-drittijiet tal-persuni b’diżabbiltà, issa tirrikonoxxi li l-lingwi tassinjali għandhom struttura, grammatika, lessiku u varjazzjoni interna tagħhom, u li mhumiex sempliċement it-traspożizzjoni f’sinjali ta’ xi lingwa mitkellma. Fil-kuntest Malti, il-Lingwa tas-Sinjali Maltija (LSM) għandha importanza partikolari, peress li tiffunzjona, mhux biss bħala mezz ta’ komunikazzjoni, iżda wkoll bħala pilastru kulturali u identitarju għall-komunità tal-LSM. [silta]; Maltese Sign Language (Lingwa tas-Sinjali Maltija - LSM) is the natural language of the Deaf community in Malta and forms an essential part of the country’s linguistic and cultural heritage. Developed organically within the Deaf community, LSM has its own grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, distinct from spoken Maltese and English, and is not simply a signed version of either language. It reflects Malta’s unique social and historical context while also showing features common to other sign languages. In recent years, Maltese Sign Language has gained increased recognition and institutional support, including legal recognition and academic research, which have strengthened its status and visibility. The promotion of LSM in education, public services, and media plays a crucial role in ensuring accessibility, inclusion, and equal participation for Deaf individuals in Maltese society. [excerpt] 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148099 Title: Is-senjaletika u l-amministrazzjoni pubblika Authors: Pace, Thomas; Fabri, Ray Abstract: Is-senjaletika pubblika, jiġifieri t-tabelli informattivi u direzzjonali li naraw fuq barra, fit-toroq, u fuq ġewwa, fil-binjiet pubbliċi, kif ukoll il-posters, l-istickers u kwalunkwe kitba oħra fil-pubbliku jiffurmaw dak li jissejjaħ ‘pajsaġġ lingwistiku’,38 suġġett li kulma jmur qed jiġi rriċerkat dejjem aktar. It-tabelli pubbliċi huma fost l-iżjed modi immedjati u viżibbli li bihom l-amministrazzjoni tikkomunika man-nies fil-ħajja ta’ kuljum. Jiffaċilitaw ir-relazzjoni ta’ bejn l-entitajiet pubbliċi u l-pubbliku għax jittraduċu partijiet minn liġijiet u regolamenti twal f’messaġġi qosra (Landry u Bourhis, 1997). [silta]; This presentation delved into the "linguistic landscape", in other words the analysis of language display in public spaces (road signs, billboards, hospital notices). The authors argued that public signage is not merely functional; it transforms geographical space into social space.; • De Jure vs. De Facto: Signage provides evidence of which languages are actually used in practice versus those recognised by law. If a hospital only has signs in English, it sends a message that Maltese is not a language of medicine.; • Design as Policy: The visual hierarchy matters. If Maltese is displayed in a smaller font, or in italics below the English, it signals a "subordinate" status.; • The Standard: The authors presented a ten-point standard for bilingual signage [excerpt] 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148092 Title: Politika lingwistika għax-xandir f’Malta Authors: Spagnol, Michael Abstract: Ix-xandir għandu sehem ewlieni fil-pjanifikazzjoni lingwistika. Ir-radju, it-televiżjoni, u l-mezzi diġitali, minbarra li jwasslulna l-informazzjoni u l-intratteniment, jinsġu n-narrattivi u n-normi lingwistiċi, ixerrdu reġistri partikolari, u jsawru l-identità jew l-identitajiet kulturali (Spolsky, 2009; Shohamy, 2006). Ilmezzi ta’ komunikazzjoni huma mera tar-realtajiet lingwistiċi daqskemm mudell li jinfluwenza kif tintuża l-lingwa u liema forom jitqiesu ‘korretti’ jew popolari.; Id-dritt li nikkomunikaw u li taslilna l-informazzjoni bi lsienna hu wieħed middrittijiet fundamentali tal-bnedmin. Skont l-artiklu 19 tal-Istqarrija Universali tal- Jeddijiet tal-Bniedem (Nazzjonijiet Uniti, 1948), kulħadd għandu l-jedd li “jfittex, jirċievi u jgħaddi tagħrif u ideat bil-mezzi li jidhirlu, mingħajr konsiderazzjoni ta’ fruntieri.” Peress li x-xandir jilħaq udjenzi kbar, politika lingwistika għal dan is-settur ikollha effett dirett fuq min jinstema’ u min jitħalla bla leħen, fuq min jista’ jisma’ u min le (permezz tas-sottotitli, id-doppjaġġ, il-lingwa tas-sinjali, u mezzi oħra ta’ aċċessibbiltà lingwistika u inklużjoni), u fuq kif tista’ tiżviluppa l-lingwa għax hi l-media li ħafna drabi tiddetta l-moda lingwistika. [silta]; Prof. Spagnol’s contribution critically examined the broadcasting sector, embracing radio, television, and digital media, as a primary engine of linguistic planning. Broadcasting establishes what is considered "correct" or prestigious language.; The Regulatory Landscape; Spagnol detailed the current framework, which relies on the Broadcasting Act and the Code on the Proper Use of the Maltese Language. This code distributes responsibility across three tiers:; 1. Individual Broadcasters (presenters/journalists).; 2. Station Management (editorial boards).; 3. The Broadcasting Authority. Description: This record includes two versions of the article by Prof. Michael Spagnol; the original version in Maltese and a version in English 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148041 Title: Il-politika tal-lingwa tal-Università ta’ Malta : skop, żvilupp u punti saljenti Authors: Baldacchino, Godfrey; Vassallo, Mario Thomas Abstract: L-Università ta’ Malta, bħala l-ogħla istituzzjoni edukattiva fil-pajjiż u l-qalba tar-riċerka u l-għarfien xjentifiku, għandha responsabbiltà doppja: li tħejji professjonisti għall-ħajja akkademika u professjonali permezz ta’ prattiki lingwistiċi robusti, u li tikkontribwixxi għall-preservazzjoni, l-iżvilupp, u l-promozzjoni talidentità nazzjonali permezz tal-lingwa Maltija. Għalhekk, il-formulazzjoni ta’ Politika tal-Lingwa ma tistax tiġi interpretata bħala dokument amministrattiv biss, iżda bħala sett ta’ prinċipji li jagħtu direzzjoni lill-komunità universitarja b’karattru bilingwi u b’aspirazzjonijiet internazzjonali. Din il-kontribuzzjoni se tiddeskrivi l-iskop tal-politika, il-proċess ta’ kif ġiet żviluppata, u l-punti saljenti tagħha, qabel tikkonkludi dwar l-importanza tagħha fil-kuntest kontemporanju.; The Maltese language holds a central and symbolic role at the University of Malta as both a medium of cultural identity and a field of scholarly inquiry. As the national language of Malta and one of the official languages of the European Union, Maltese is studied at the University not only as a vehicle of communication but as a subject of linguistic, literary, and historical research. The University serves as a key centre for the documentation, analysis, and promotion of Maltese, contributing to its modernisation in professional, technological, and academic domains. Through research, publications, conferences, and collaboration with national language bodies, the University plays a vital role in safeguarding the linguistic heritage of Maltese while supporting its continued growth as a modern European language. Description: This record includes two versions of the article by Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino & Prof. Mario Thomas Vassallo; the original version in Maltese and a version in English 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z