https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/135348 2026-07-21T16:40:36Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148145 Title: Il-politika lingwistika Authors: Fabri, Ray Abstract: X’inhi l-lingwa? : Il-lingwa għandha żewġ aspetti fundamentali li jikkaratterizzawha: l-aspett formali u l-aspett funzjonali. Mill-aspett formali, il-lingwa narawha bħala sistema konjittiva li tipproċessa elementi u strutturi mentali fuq livelli differenti: (a) il-ħsejjes (foni, fonemi) u t-tagħqid tagħhom, li nistudjawhom fil-fonetika u fil-fonoloġija; (b) il-binja tal-kelma u tas-sentenza, li nistudjawhom fil-morfoloġija u fis-sintassi, u li flimkien jibnu l-grammatika; u (ċ) it-tifsira u l-użu fil-kuntest, li nistudjawhom fis-semantika u fil-pragmatika. Mill-aspett funzjonali, nikkonsidraw il-lingwa bħala sistema komunikattiva u soċjali li tikkodifika u tittrażmetti l-ħsibijiet, l-emozzjonijiet, il-kultura, l-istorja, it-tradizzjonijiet u, fuq kollox, l-identità tal-individwi li jużawha, jiġifieri l-kelliema, is-signers1 u l-kittieba. Hemm rabta intima bejn il-lingwa, l-individwu, u s-soċjetà: Il-lingwa hija ħolqa f’katina li torbot individwu ma’ ieħor li biha l-individwu jħoss li huwa parti integrali mill-komunità li jgħix fiha; il-lingwa hija l-bażi ta’ kull attività tal-bniedem: soċjali, kulturali, ekonomika, eċċ.; Prof. Fabri provided the definitions required to navigate the conference's theme. He viewed language through dual lenses: as a formal cognitive system (involving phonology, syntax, and semantics) and as a functional social tool (encoding culture, history, and identity). In the context of globalisation and Malta’s rapid demographic shifts, he argued that a laissez-faire approach is insufficient; deliberate policy is required to protect the national language. Description: This record includes two versions of the article by Prof. Ray Fabri; the original version in Maltese and a version in English 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148144 Title: X’qed jagħmlu pajjiżi oħrajn fil-qasam tal-politika u l-ippjanar tal-lingwa Authors: Pace, Thomas Abstract: Biex infasslu strateġija effettiva għall-ilsien nazzjonali jiswielna jekk nagħtu ħarsa lejn il-ħidma ta’ pajjiżi jew reġjuni oħrajn u lejn l-istrateġiji lingwistiċi li jadottaw fuq bażi nazzjonali jew reġjonali. L-aġenti tal-lingwa li jfasslu dawn id-dokumenti jkunu ħasbu sew fuq kif jistgħu jġibu l-lingwa tagħhom ’il quddiem u jiżviluppawha fl-aktar oqsma importanti tal-ħajja.; Thomas Pace presented a comparative analysis, arguing that studying other jurisdictions helps policymakers understand how to promote language across key domains like administration, education, and media. However, he cautioned that comparisons must be contextual: Malta’s official bilingualism (Maltese and English) and its status as a small island state create a unique "linguistic ecology" different from large monolingual nations like France or Germany. Description: This record includes two versions of the article by Mr. Thomas Pace; the original version in Maltese and a version in English. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148143 Title: L-użu tal-Malti fostna : is-sitwazzjoni lokali Authors: Bellia, Marija Abstract: L-ewwel studji marbutin mal-użu u l-preferenzi tal-lingwa saru l-ewwel fiddisgħinijiet, u, minkejja dawk li forsi nistgħu naħsbu jew nisimgħu dwaru, tista’ tgħid li x-xejriet ewlenin tagħhom ma nbidlux wisq – il-Malti kien u għadu l-iktar lingwa mitkellma fl-ambjent tad-dar.; Se nagħtu ħarsa lejn erba’ sorsi ta’ statistika miksuba fl-aħħar snin.; Id-data miġbura miċ-ċensiment li sar mill-NSO fl-2021 uriet li l-Malti għadu l-iktar lingwa mitkellma fl-ambjent tad-dar (Uffiċċ ju Nazzjonali tal-Istatistika, 2022). L-aħħar ċensiment xeħet dawl ukoll fuq it-tendenzi lingwistiċi tat-tfal b’mod ġenerali. Ħareġ li kwart tat-tfal li għandhom inqas minn 10 snin u 15% ta’ dawk li għandhom bejn 10 snin u 19-il sena jqisu l-Ingliż bħala l-lingwa ewlenija tagħhom. It-tfal li huma ikbar minn 5 snin u jitkellmu bl-Ingliż jgħixu l-iktar is-Swieqi (38%), Tas-Sliema u San Ġiljan (ftit iktar minn 25%), u l-Imdina (24%).; Bellia challenged the common perception that English is rapidly overtaking Maltese by presenting a data-driven analysis. Drawing from national census data and original sociolinguistic research, she demonstrated that Maltese remains the dominant language in the home environment for the vast majority of the population, though specific cracks are appearing in the demographic bedrock.; Detailed Findings and Statistics:; • Census 2021; ◦ While Maltese dominates generally, there is a sharp generational shift. 25% (one-quarter) of children under the age of 10 now consider English their main language.; ◦ Among adolescents aged 10–19, this figure is 15%.; ◦ Geographic variance: This shift is not uniform. It is heavily concentrated in the "Northern Harbour" district, specifically in towns like Swieqi, Sliema, and St Julian’s, where English often functions as the community vernacular. Description: This record includes two versions of the article by Ms. Marija Bellia; the original version in Maltese and a version in English. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148141 Title: Ir-relazzjonijiet interkulturali f’Malta : l-inklużjoni u l-lingwa f’inkontri varji Authors: Buhagiar, Luke Joseph Abstract: Fl-intervent tiegħi se nitkellem fuq ir-relazzjonijiet interkulturali f’Malta u l-lingwa Maltija. Se nibda b’veduta ġenerali tal-idea tal-integrazzjoni interkulturali li nsibu f’dokumenti statali f’Malta. Waqt li nħares lejn dawn il-politiki, se nagħti kas ukoll kif tiġi msemmija l-lingwa fihom. Imbagħad se ndur lejn sejbiet akkademiċi fuq ir-relazzjonijiet interkulturali f’Malta. Se nuża dal-materjal sabiex nara fejn jistgħu jiltaqgħu r-relazzjonijiet interkulturali u l-politika lingwistika nazzjonali: x’implikazzjonijiet joħorġu minn dan l-inkontru u x’għandna nżommu f’moħħna. Nikkonkludi billi nargumenta li l-apprezzament u l-ingaġġar mal-lingwa Maltija jibbenefikaw minn relazzjonijiet interkulturali b’saħħithom u viċeversa.; Dr Luke J. Buhagiar discussed the relatonship between intercultural relations and the Maltese language in Malta. He started by providing a general overview of the idea of integration, both in terms of its meaning in academic literature, and also in terms of its application in policy documents in Malta over the years. In the process, Buhagiar took note of how language is discussed or represented in these policies, noting shifts in emphasis over the years. In recent years, there has been documented recognition of the problem of systemic racism in Malta, which is a serious hindrance both to positive intercultural relations and to a holistic language policy. Description: This record includes two versions of the article by Dr Luke Joseph Buhagiar; the original version in Maltese and a version in English 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z