MP stopped from speaking Maltese... at languages conference
Labour MP Owen Bonnici was stopped from speaking in Maltese at a meeting of the joint committee of the European Parliament and the Maltese Parliament.
The meeting was ironically discussing the importance which European languages have in the promotion of European cultures.
Dr Bonnici pointed out that Maltese had been recognised as an official language of the EU but was made to deliver his speech in English because there were no interpreters present during the meeting held in Brussels last Monday.
Those present included EU Languages Commissioner Leonard Orban. The last person to protest publicly when he was prevented from speaking in Maltese at a plenary session of the European Parliament was Labour leader Joseph Muscat in 2005, then an MEP. He had cut short his address when after a few sentences into his speech the presiding chairman informed him he couldn't continue his speech in Maltese as no interpreters were available.
The situation had improved with the intake of more personnel but the limitations remain.
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Edwin John Matthews
Dec 13th 2008, 15:44
I think it's disgusting that Dr Bonnici was "forced" to speak English whilst representing Malta at the EU. As a former HM Courts Administrator, we were aware of defendants and witnesses that could not speak English and consequently had interpreters at hand. Surely an organisation as big as the EU could do likewise. As far as I am concerned, a person can express themselves better in their native tongue (to be interpreted) rather than try to explain what they wish to say in another language, even if English is the second language of Malta.
Perhaps this e-mail should be forwarded to the EU
fredmallia
Dec 13th 2008, 14:11
what do expect from the arrogance of eu
David Seychell
Dec 13th 2008, 13:44
Reminds me of the story of the Tower of Babel.
alfred agius
Dec 13th 2008, 13:02
A far fetched option:- Mr. Bonnici could have persisted to proceed 2 deliver in Maltese & the audience could have opted to leave......
lgalea
Dec 13th 2008, 10:21
SHAME on the organizers.
Dr Bonnici should not have delivered his speech in a foreign language as a protest against the organizers and their insult to the Maltese language and to the Maltese people.
Organizers, you ought to be ashamed of your actions.
philip pace
Dec 13th 2008, 09:38
Such is the balance found at Mount Olympus!!!!!!!
Criss Camilleri
Dec 13th 2008, 09:36
And yet you, Mr. Bonnici, did not walk out in protest!