Researchers from the University of Malta have recovered recordings of Maltese dialects from the 60s and 70s. Long thought forgotten, now everyone can hear what the Maltese language sounded like over 50 years ago. THINK magazine goes into detail in their latest issue, which will be released on 18 November.
Studying Maltese is not just about understanding grammar and learning new vocabulary. It shines a light on Malta’s way of life, its inhabitants’ thoughts, tastes, knowledge, and culture. Language is tied to identity. Dialects, the subtle variations in a language, can express the unique qualities of a particular region and can foster a sense of belonging to a specific community. In its 316 km2 area, Malta manages to bring together many dialects, each one showing its speakers' heritage.
Prof. Alexandra Vella, Prof. Ray Fabri, Dr Michael Spagnol, and the team at University of Malta’s University Radio found and recovered old tapes from the 60s and 70s with Maltese dialects. The 92 audio samples are, thanks to this team, now preserved in a CD collection. Each audio is someone’s testimony, a sample of almost-extinct professions and lost traditions.
The recordings were an initiative from Prof. Ġużé Aquilina, the father of Maltese Linguistics, and Benedikt Isserlin. They will be available on the website of the Department of Maltese, called malti.mt by early 2021.
Other articles on Malta’s identity can be found in THINK magazine. THINK is the research magazine of the University of Malta and a platform for students and academics to share their work with citizens. You can follow the magazine on social media for exclusive, thought-provoking content or enter the website for regular new articles. The new issue of THINK focuses on “Breaking Research Boundaries”. The magazine is free and can be found on the University of Malta campus.
The full version of this article will be published in THINK issue 33 and is available online.
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