Il-Malti, our anchor in a hybrid identity

Abstract

In this opinion piece, Jacqueline Zammit responds to commentary on her earlier article about the role of Maltese in shaping national identity. She acknowledges Malta’s hybrid identity, shaped by centuries of cultural contact, and the hybrid structure of the Maltese language itself. While valuing bilingualism and multilingualism, she stresses that Maltese must remain a living, fully functional language across education, work, media, and public life. The article warns against domain shrinkage when English is consistently privileged, framing Maltese as an anchor that sustains identity in a globalized and multilingual context.