Al.luġatu al.mālṭīyyatu ūālʿarbiyyatu al.tūnisiyyatu : dirāsatun muqāranatun

Abstract

Our objective in this research is to highlight the aspects of convergence between the Maltese language and the Tunisian Arabic dialect. We took into consideration as a starting point that Maltese descends from the Arabic language, based on what has been previously approved by researchers in the analysis of the Maltese language. We conducted a descriptive and comparative study of linguistic phenomena with their counterparts in the Tunisian dialect. This research includes the history of Malta, highlighting the Arab period and focusing on the text "Himyari"; perhaps, through historical events, at the end of the research a hypothetical conclusion can be drawn about the origin of the language and the population of Malta. We studied grammar and morphology, based on the Maltese approach to establishing linguistic rules and comparing them with Tunisian Arabic and Classical Arabic. We conducted an analysis of ancient Maltese texts from different periods to highlight the linguistic changes that occurred in the historical period between the 15th century and the present day; in particular, we performed a careful analysis of the poem "La Cantilène," as it is the oldest Maltese document, and the poem 'Mejju ġie bil-Ward u ż-Żahar' which dates from a later period, and finally an analysis of the poem "Catherine Ta'a Médine." We collected Maltese sayings and lessons and compared them with Tunisian ones. We also collected ancient Maltese words of Arabic origin, surnames, and place names of Arabic origin and compared them with Tunisian Berber words used in both countries. We conducted a field study using a questionnaire with Maltese people from different classes and regions to compare their linguistic and cultural perspectives on the relationship between Tunisia and Malta. We concluded with the research findings.