THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE MALTESE LANGUAGE

The Maltese Language Council was established in April 2005 with the enactment of the Maltese Language Act (Chapter 470 of the Laws of Malta) in order to promote the National Language of Malta and to provide the necessary means to achieve this aim.

The Council was established to adopt and promote a suitable language policy and strategy for the Maltese islands and to verify their performance and observance in every sector of Maltese life, for the benefit and development of the national language and the identity of the Maltese people. Apart from this, the Council should:

a) promote the Maltese Language both in Malta and in other countries by engaging actively to foster recognition and respect for national language;

b) update the orthography of the Maltese Language as necessary and, from time to time, establish the correct manner of writing words and phrases which enter the Maltese Language from other tongues

In the execution of its functions and duties the Council works to:

• develop, motivate and enhance the recognition and expression of the Maltese language;

• promote the dynamic development of such linguistic characteristics as identify the Maltese people;

• in consultation with the organs established by the Maltese Language Act, adopt a suitable linguistic policy backed by a strategic plan, and ensure that the same are put into practice and observed in all sectors of Maltese life;

• ensure that the language policy decided by the Commission is put into practice so as to ensure its effective and faithful implementation;

• evaluate and co-ordinate the work done by associations and individuals, in the Maltese language sector and to foster an atmosphere of co-operation through a consensual plan;

• draw the attention of all those who may contribute to the development of Maltese to work done in execution of the language policy and, where necessary, to advise the Minister of Education to commission any necessary assignment;

• seek to obtain financial resources locally and overseas in order to be able to strengthen its activities, especially such resources as are already accessible to local and international organisations for research purposes, the promotion of spoken languages by small nations, and other projects relating to the exchange of experts and research programmes;

• co-operate with persons, bodies and organisations in various fields of life in order to increase and augment the recognition and appreciation of linguistic and cultural activities for the further advancement of the Maltese language;

• establish a National Centre of the Maltese Language which, besides serving as the office of the Council, shall offer the necessary printed and audiovisual resources to members of Maltese language associations, institutions and other interested persons;

• ensure full access to available statistical data and information for the use of the Council and its organs in the execution of their duties under this Act.

The National Council for the Maltese Language maintains regular contacts with local, national and international organisations which have functions similar to or complementary to the functions of the Council and exchanges its views and resources with them.

It is a full member of the European Federation of National Institutions for Language (EFNIL). All institutions of the member countries of the European Union whose mission is to follow the evolution of the national language ​​of the country, advising on language use and develop a language policy are members of this Federation. In fact, this serves as a forum where these institutions can exchange information about their work and gather and publish information on language use and language policy in the EU. The organisation encourages the study of the official European languages ​​and a coordinated effort for the study of native and foreign languages ​​as a means to promote linguistic and cultural diversity in the EU.

You can also refer to this web page on Language Legislation in Malta (EN/FR)