A manuscript of an unpublished Maltese-English and English-Maltese dictionary by Salvatore Mamo, compiled over a century ago, has been rediscovered by Dr Steve Borg, Senior Manager at the National Bibliographic Office within Malta Libraries. The document, digitised for preservation and study, is now being transcribed by the Department of Maltese at the University of Malta for public release.
The announcement was made during a 3 December 2024 agreement signing between Malta Libraries and the University of Malta. Through this agreement, academics from the Department of Maltese within the Faculty of Arts led by Mr Dwayne Ellul, and including the graduates Javier Degiorgio and Maria Simiana, will study the dictionary, transcribe it, and prepare it for co-publication with Malta Libraries. Prof. Sollars of the University highlighted the alignment of this initiative with teaching, research, and community engagement goals, while Prof. Grima, Head of the Department of Maltese, highlighted its importance in advancing Maltese linguistic and cultural studies.
The manuscript, completed before Mamo’s death in 1918, is a more comprehensive version of his 1885 English-Maltese dictionary with over 1800 handwritten pages. It was found in a private collection during the summer of 2023 with a typed letter confirming it was compiled by Salvatore Mamo. Its rediscovery disproves claims by Dun Karm Psaila, who asserted during his own dictionary project (1947–1955) that it was destroyed in World War II. This raises questions about whether Psaila was misinformed or deliberately avoided using Mamo’s work.
Little was previously known about Mamo (1838–1918). He does not feature among the over 3,500 personalities listed in the Dictionary of Maltese Biographies by Michael Schiavone (2009). Research by Ellul has established that Mamo was a leading educator and dedicated many years to the compilation of this dictionary. Malta Libraries’ CEO Cheryl Falzon noted the manuscript's significance in fulfilling the library’s cultural mission. Initial examinations by Dr Borg, Dr Olvin Vella, and Mr Ellul in August 2024 confirmed its authenticity, though parts of the English-Maltese dictionary are missing.
Speakers at the event emphasised the manuscript’s cultural and educational value, highlighting how the collaboration brings together resources to preserve and share Maltese linguistic heritage with local and international audiences.