Beyond words : language hybridity in postcolonial multilingual classroom environments : Malta’s way forward

Abstract

The dominance of the English language around the world is rooted in British colonialism, where English was disseminated worldwide as a legacy of the British Empire (Kayman, 2004). Since then, however, the “ownership” of English is being challenged in many countries, as the English language has further evolved into a global language in such a way that “English no longer belongs to the English” (Kayman, 2004, p. 2). Malta is one such country, shaped linguistically and culturally through its many rulers and its British colonial heritage. This legacy offers important insights into the bi- and multilingual societies of today, and this chapter provides readers with an overview of Malta’s language history, focusing on how its colonial heritage has shaped its current bilingual status and its education system. Recent demographic changes in Malta have produced new language challenges in the classroom as Maltese teachers are seeking ways in which to support their multilingual pupils, whilst also striving to preserve the Maltese language. This chapter problematises these dilemmas, suggesting that García’s (2009) notion of transglossia, where different languages are not purposively separated but interrelate dynamically within a globalised society, may provide the way forward in the evolving multilingual situation in Malta and beyond.