Street naming in Malta as a geo-cultural and political exercise as seen from local sources

Abstract

Street naming in Malta is essentially a reflection of the colonial and post-colonial influences. This is seen within a number of spatial scales: the national (country), regional (towns and villages), and local (streets). A further factor that influences the naming of streets is the language used in identifying their location with a spray of vernacular Maltese (Semitic), Italian (Romance) and English. Although the Maltese Islands were occupied by a succession of rulers who were intent on exerting their influence in the central Mediterranean, it was the Arabs (870–1090), Knights of St. John (1530–1798) and the British (1800–1964) who left their mark on the written and spoken word. This chapter presents a description and critique of the initiation, evolution, change and purposes of street naming in Malta using three main sources. The first are maps and sketches drawn by the official designate such as the Public Works Department (Malta) and the Ordnance Survey (UK); secondly, the minutes and proceedings of the street-naming committees in both Malta and Gozo; and, thirdly, a ground-truth exercise at selected sites. It is expected that the geo-political influences at local, regional and international levels, together with the transition from socio-religious to secular attitudes are reflected in street naming.