A volume containing new studies on Mikiel Anton Vassalli, considered the father of the Maltese language, has been presented to the French ambassador, Patrick Chrismant, who has close links with Maltese.

The volume was published by the Ghaqda tal-Malti (Università) and the Institute of Linguistics.

The studies consolidate the past 10 years of scholarly contributions on Vassalli, whom Napoleon referred to as the "wisest of the Maltese".

Mr Chrismant speaks Maltese, which he learnt in his childhood in Morocco, where he had a Maltese nanny, Marie Buttigieg, whom he considered as his "second mother".

The publication, edited by Olvin Vella, was launched as part of Malta's EU accession celebrations.

It consists of nine papers most of which appeared in the local press but risked being forgotten. The respective authors updated their research, enhancing it with illustrations and notes. Joseph P. Borg, president of the Ghaqda tal-Malti (Università) said more publications were in the pipeline while the next Vassalli conference would take place at San Anton Palace in October.

Expressing himself in excellent Maltese, Mr Chrismant said that France was always willing to support Maltese students both at home and abroad.

Albert Borg, chairman of the Institute of Linguistics, highlighted the various areas in which the French embassy and the institute could collaborate for the benefit of students and researchers.

Prof. Borg said much could be achieved through cooperation with the French embassy, especially through student exchange schemes which can also be offered to academic researchers studying Maltese and Arabic Dialectology.