The Maltese language in Maltese primary legislation : 1921 to 1947

Abstract

The National language of Malta did not always enjoy the official and fundamental status that it enjoys now. In the past, before it reached legal recognition, a long drawn-out struggle prevailed for years on end. Legislation dealing with the Maltese language was mostly triggered by the existing political situation of the times. Legislation governing the Maltese language depended mostly on the Constitutions that the British authorities granted to the Maltese people. This thesis aims at presenting a legal story of language legislation in Malta, particularly the Maltese language. The period surveyed spans from 1921 when the Maltese were granted the first self government, down to the year 1947 when the Maltese were granted the second responsible government. It starts with an introduction which illustrates the aim, the sources and the method used. The First Chapter delineates the position of the Maltese language during the first one hundred years of the British rule. This chapter examines the period up to the granting of the 1921 Constitution and how this Constitution treated the Maltese language. The Second Chapter surveys the period till 1927. It deals with legislative enactments proposed or enacted which affected the Maltese language and with the attempts that were made in the Legislative Assembly to better the status of the Maltese language. Chapter 3 focuses on the introduction of the Maltese language in the Courts and in notarial deeds till the report of the Malta Royal Commission, 1931. The 1932 and 1934 amendments made to the 1921 Constitution, which had a direct impact on the Maltese language, are included in chapter 4. This chapter encompasses various Acts an<l Ordinances till 1935. Chapter 5 looks at the 1936 and 1939 Constitutions and the Ordinances which concerned the Maltese language and the 1947 MacMichael Constitution.