A study of syntax elements in Maltese English among Maltese university students

Abstract

This dissertation observes syntactic structures used by Maltese speakers of English diverging from Standard British English, in order to determine whether any are recurrent and if they may be considered part of a new Variety of English. The possible emergence of a Maltese English variety is explored in the context of the emergence of other post-colonial varieties. Anecdotal evidence suggests, that elements from the native language, Maltese, may have been borrowed and modified into the local use of English by Maltese speakers, on all levels of the language, contributing to the development of a variety. A sample of spoken data was recorded from a selection of Maltese speakers of English, chosen from among University students completing their third year in a B.A. Hons. English course. The data was analyzed for common recurrent syntactic features which deviated from Standard British English. It is suggested that, although forming through contact between Standard English and Maltese, these features have developed into independent features, with patterns of their own. A number of features were observed in the data, all with an independent structure identifiable to some degree. The study focused on one prominent aspect of syntax that was produced rather more frequently than the other features observed: Fronting. The pattern of use in Fronting is analyzed in some detail and conclusions are drawn. Other features observed, though not studied in detail, are considered for their evident structure of use. All features are considered as potentially recognized features of a variety.