Maltesisch

Maltesisch, or Malti, is a Semitic language spoken in Malta and Gozo and by Maltese communities abroad. It is one of Malta's official languages, together with English. It serves as the national language and is used in schooling, government, media and daily life.

Origins and development: Maltese descends from Siculo-Arabic, the Arabic dialects brought to Malta and Sicily in the early Middle Ages. Over time it absorbed vocabulary from Italian and Sicilian and, more recently, English. The language’s syntax and morphology remain Semitic, with triconsonantal roots and templatic word formation, but its lexicon contains extensive Romance and English loanwords.

Writing system: Maltese is written in the Latin script with five special letters: ċ, ġ, ħ, għ and ż. The standard form, Malti, is used in education and media; there are regional dialects, but a standardized form is widely taught and used in official contexts.

Current status: Maltese is one of Malta's two official languages alongside English. It is used in government, education, press and broadcasting. A sizable Maltese-speaking diaspora exists in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.