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The official languages of the Maltese islands are Maltese (Malti)  and English.  Maltese is a language of Semitic origin with roots that go back to Phoenician and Carthaginian times.  Over the years, it has incorporated many words derived from English, Italian and French.  It is a complicated language and spoken only within the islands; with Maltese spoken on Gozo being distinguished by its dialect.  Although the Maltese never expect visitors to speak to them in Malti it is  pleasing and good manners for both parties to be able to make and return the most basic of phrases and greetings in Malti.  English is the second language and is spoken, or at least widely understood by the vast majority of the population.  Italian is also spoken or understood fairly fluently.

Useful Phrases

Good morning

   Bongu
Yes 
   Iva
No 
   Le
OK 
   Orajt
Goodbye 
   Sahha

How are you ?

   Kif int

I'm very well, thank you

   Thaba grazzi
Good evening
   Bonswa
Thank You 
   Grazzi
Mr 
   Sinjur
Mrs 
   Sinjura
Miss 
   Sinjorina
My name is ... 
   JIen jisimni ...
Excuse me! / Sorry 
   Skuzani! / Jidispjecini
I don't understand 
   Ma fhimtx
Do you speak English? 
   Titkellem b'ingliz?

The Maltese Alphabet

Letter
 Approximate Pronunciation
A
 short, like 'u' in 'shut'
long, like 'a' in 'far'
B
 like Eng. b
C
 like ch in 'church'
D
 like Eng. d
E
 short, as e in 'shed'
long, as ai in 'hair'
F
 like Eng. f
G
 like j in 'join'
G
 like g in 'great' g gardell
GH
mostly silent *
H
 silent within a word
pronounced like h in hen when at the end of a word
H
 like h in 'house'
I
 short, as i in 'fit'
long, as ee in 'jeep'
J
 like y in 'yes'
K
 like k in 'kit'
L
 like l in 'life'
M
 as in Eng. m
N
 as in Eng. n
O
 short, like o in got
long, like aw in law
P
 as in Eng. p
Q
 glottal plosive sound produced by the closure of the vocal chords followed by their sudden separation
R
 trilled like Scottish r
S
 like s in 'sea'
T
 like t in French 'tante'
U
 short, like u in 'full'
long, like oo in 'fool'
V
 as in Eng.
W
 like w in 'war'
X
 like sh in 'sheep'
Z
 voiced, like z in 'fuzz'
Z
 unvoiced, like ts in 'hats'

(*) 'GH' is regarded as a single letter in Maltese. Preceding or following any one of the vowels 'a', 'e', 'o' it prolongs the sound of the vowel.

When 'GH' is followed by the vowel 'i' it takes the sound of 'ay' in the English word 'pay'. When 'GH' is followed by the vowel 'u' it takes the sound of 'ou' in the English word 'soul'.

When 'GH' is the final letter in a word, it is pronounced as a soft aspirate sound like 'h' in the English word 'hair'.

Language Schools

If you plan to make a longer stay, and wish to learn or improve your English, you will find that English language teaching is well established on the Islands.  There are numerous language schools and you will doubtless find one to suit your experience and capability. 


Contact  FELTOM, the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations in Malta.  FELTOM works with the Education Ministry’s monitoring board in overseeing professional standards in language schools.

 

 

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