Promoting Maltese language

I read recently about the activities of the Akkademja tal-Malti but was rather dismayed not to read that great enthusiasm is being churned by the RTK weekly programme Kellimni bil-Malti conducted by Charles Coleiro, as well as Charles Briffa's radio slot in Gloria Mizzi's weekly programme.

One perhaps should also mention that the Akkademja's council entered into partnership with APS Bank Ltd to help Maltese authors by creating a fund for writers of Maltese works. There are eight other books (ranging from studies to creative works) on the waiting list. I was given to understand that earlier this month a translation of Francis Ebejer's novel, Requiem ghal Siehbi Faxxista was the first book to be published in this series.

Other activities this year were the regular Jum l-Akkademja which was recently hosted by the President of Malta at the Palace, Valletta, as well as other activities held in Bay Street and in Victoria, Gozo.

Council activities included close co-operation with the Press Club and the Broadcasting authority, undertaking responsibilities to teach broadcasters and liaising with the authority on matters relating to language.

Council members visited the EU Commission and Parliament in Brussels to discuss translation and interpretation matters, had meetings with various groups of translators who were encountering difficulties and striving hard to suppress further howlers from finding their way into official translations.

It is a pity that the council is finding it very hard to have its own premises. Still, the Akkademja should be complimented for its work.