Maltese speak on TVM

Franco Farrugia

Dec 29th 2008, 17:18

@ John Bundy - While I think that your comment is an extremely valid one, I feel that your very last comment trying to excuse your mistakes in the Maltese English as it is written, is a very poor one, in bad taste and simply, disgusting.

Joe Xuereb (London UK)

Dec 28th 2008, 22:39

Deb Bugeja.. Amazing.
Joseph Micallef. Thanks. I disagree about your comment on the 'gh' in Maltese. Maltese is an Arabic language and as such, the 'ghajn' has, at least, a historical value. It presents difficulty because Maltese children are misinformed. When taught that it is silent, people, of any age, knowing it is within a word but where? panic and basically, just give up and omit it altogether. After all, it is silent, isn't? If teachers taught, and they should, that the ghajn may be colloquially silent but is in fact a consonant, this has to be born in mind in the written language. 'Demonising' this difficult letter to the extent of silencing it, literally, does nothing to make the Maltese people as a nation appreciate their beautiful, dying language. A strong language makes a strong, knowledgeable people. A people, therefore, that knows how to vote and avail itself of the democratic processes that now govern all things. Otherwise, people will indeed get the Government, and the presenters, that they deserve. As they say (in UK anyway), the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Joe Xuereb (London UK)

Dec 28th 2008, 22:09

Franco Farrugia. Your very special brand of humour I remember from many years ago before Malta took the world (well, Europe, and creeping stealthily east) by storm via its Eurovision offerings. Some things never change.

M.Bezzina

Dec 28th 2008, 21:43

John
I always admired your expressions and intentions.Keep going strong man!!

John Bundy

Dec 28th 2008, 13:23

Insellem lil kullhadd,

Jekk hemm haga wahda li nemmen fiha hi l-liberta ta' l-espressjoni u tal kelma, inhoss li dan kien l-akbar akkwist li l-poplu Malti ghamel f'dawn l-ahhar 25 sena. Minkejja dan kollu, wiehed irid joqod attent li ma' jaqbizx il-limiti u joqod ifettaq fuq kull haga li jaghmel haddiehor. Jien haga wahda biss nghidilkom, meta tkun qed taghmel xandira televiziva hajja ghal 4 sieghat shah bla waqfien inkun facli li taghmel zball fil verbal hu ta' liema lingwa hu. Mela, zommu naqra l-kolp u ahsbu ftit. Moira, grazzi min qalbi ta' l-ghajnuna li tajtni dak inhar ta' l-irkant, ghamilt bicca xoghol tajba hafna. Grazzi hafna. (ktiebt bil Malti u ghamilt hafna zbalji halli dawk li m'ghandhomx x'jaghmlu joqodu jikkoreguni)

John Bundy

Schevon Debono

Dec 28th 2008, 13:17

@ Alfred Camilleri
Why bring politics into all this?? I think you are very wrong in your comment and should not be drifting away from the subject which should already be forgotten!!

deb bugeja

Dec 28th 2008, 10:04

Moira Delia is a good presenter and a very sympathic person. I admire her for her outspoken thoughts about animals. I am sure she is doing much more good in bringing awareness in how much we should love animals and treat them with love and respect. I am sure that viewers enjoy watching her programmes. Saying ' giet inghatata' and tlett pittura does not make any difference. Languages changes from time to time.

Maghqad is an example word that used to be for siggu. we dont use it any more.

Franco Farrugia

Dec 28th 2008, 09:23

@ Joseph Micallef: As we say in Maltese - Issa ghaxxaqtha!

So, you denigrate Moira for her Maltese, you denigrate the competent authority for their latest rules (skond, skont) and then, you come out with your wisdom regarding the removal of the 'għ'!!!!!

That's wisdom for you. Great wisdom! And with what authority do you come telling us and suggesting that the għ should be removed? So, now, every Tom, Dick and Harry must have his say about any topic under the sun!

U hallina!

Joseph Micallef

Dec 28th 2008, 08:47

Even though out of subject now - I don't even fancy using the word Bastardised because every language is actually bastardised and there is no PURE, VIRGIN language. Having said this I don't agree with the new rules that now, for instance, don't make a distinction between "skond" (meaning 'according to' from the Italian 'secondo') to "skont" (meaning 'discount' from the Italian 'sconto')! I would have preferred had the now defunct gh been removed though so that writing words such as 'zghazagh' would not be that complicated!

Lawrence Mifsud

Dec 28th 2008, 05:11

If I am not mistaken, the recent rules on writing Maltese are now encouraging the use of bastardized foreign words. This is in spite of of having proper Maltese words that are well established - not the ones you can find them only in an old dictionary. This will only help to destroy the Maltese Language bit by bit, not only on TV but on all media. Can anyone please confirm or deny this? Thank you all.

Mike O'Hara

Dec 28th 2008, 00:15

"Writing in English is a totally different concept - you cannot expect everyone to speak and write it in an excellent manner because after all, albeit it is our second official language, it is still a foreign language.

Not even the English can use it properly and as correctly as is expected."

Reluctantly, I have to agree with this statement. Our education system cannot compete with the relentless dumbing-down by the media. I wouldn't advise anyone now to aim for a career as a crossword compiler, unless they can do it in TXT speak, which is all the younger people seem to know.

Hang on to Malti - once lost, it is very hard to recover a language. I fear English (as opposed to american) is heading towards oblivion. Watch out for English dictionaries getting thinner!

Happy New Year, Everyone

Joseph Micallef

Dec 27th 2008, 23:39

My letter and comments have no ulteriour motives. I just criticised her Maltese. Nothing more nothing less. Good use and knowledge of Maltese should be a prerogative of any TV announcer or presenter. I repeat I have nothing against Moira...and politics never even hit my mind in this context!

manwel magrin

Dec 27th 2008, 23:35

Well done Moira. Keep up the good work. We support you 100% in your mission to help our FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS.

Wish that more Radio and TV presenters join forces with you and others to give a voice to GOD's creatures.

M.Bezzina

Dec 27th 2008, 22:09

Let her alone in peace miskina toqoghodu tmaqdruwa biss!!

Franco Farrugia

Dec 27th 2008, 21:58

@ Joe Xuereb from the UK: I suggest that since you are residing in the UK, you either try to know more about what happens in Malta, or else cease passing judgement on us and on our goings-on.

You are wrong in stating that we, as a nation, 'do not hold dear the expression of' our language, the Maltese. Nothing can be further from the truth.

You are also wrong in speaking about our 'one, truly official tongue'. True or not, we have two official languages - Maltese and English.

We do not have bad presenters.

And as regards the Governmnet we have, we are a democratic country - whatever that means, we are as democratic as they come, anyway! - and we choose our government in a democratic manner every five years.
Best wishes!

Alfred Camilleri

Dec 27th 2008, 21:40

Joseph Micallef, just don't bother with these people. If you read between the lines of several of the comments posted, you will see that politics is playing its part even here.

Were the person you criticized coming from the blue part of the political divide, you can be sure that those who attacked you would have agreed with you completely.

Joseph Micallef

Dec 27th 2008, 21:17

@Joe Xuereb,
Unfortunately I have to tell you - well said!

Schevon Debono

Dec 27th 2008, 21:04

@ J.Micallef
Maybe you should gather all TV presenters and teach them Maltese...I think Moira is a great presenter, very clear and well spoken. I am sure she is no expert in paintings and art work but i personally think she did a fantastic job!!
I think instead of criticising her for little mistakes; maybe you should join her in doing some voluntary work and realise there is more important things in life.....Did any paintings interest you in those 4 hours you were glued to Tv?? Well done Moira, keep up the good work both on TV and with the animals :)

C.Sciberras

Dec 27th 2008, 20:55

@ J. Micallef

I definitly agree with you in regard to having freedom of speech and opinion. However having said this, I do not think its fair displayng names of public figures and more over complaining about them publicly.. If ure so irritated you could have wrote directly to the PBS or TVM.
In a time of gathering and Xmas spirit I don't think its nice to point fingures and criticise ppl blatently..

vincent a galea

Dec 27th 2008, 20:04

What I would like to know is how many times did she utter "OBVJAMENT" !!
Even seasoned broadcasters and everybody on TV/Radio nowadays has to interspers every other word with "OBVJAMENT" !! The command of the language is so poor!!!!

Joe Xuereb (London UK

Dec 27th 2008, 20:00

From what I gather, the Maltese as a nation do not hold dear the expression of their one, truly official tongue. For this reason alone, if none other, they get the presenters they deserve. Not unlike the Government they get. Totally warranted, every time.
Best wishes to all, whatever you're doing, whatever your circumstances. Corny I know, but I could not resist. But the Best Wishes are heartfelt alright.
Take care you lot!

Franco Farrugia

Dec 27th 2008, 19:27

@ Mr Cassar Torregiani - While I have been defending Moira Delia, I cannot agree with your argument, either. Maltese is our native language and on Maltese television, care should be taken for its proper and correct use - I think that we are all in agreement with that.

Writing in English is a totally different concept - you cannot expect everyone to speak and write it in an excellent manner because after all, albeit it is our second official language, it is still a foreign language.

Not even the English can use it properly and as correctly as is expected.

In this context, it is not right to shut people up due to their inability of correct English usage. It's not democratic. I would shut people up for their lack of proper arguments, yes, ... but not due to their incorrect English usage.

Joseph Micallef

Dec 27th 2008, 18:46

I could not resist to reply sorry. One of the reasons why I don't present programs on TV is because I don't feel competent enough to do so - even if Maltese is my mother tongue. I am competent in other things though. That does not mean that I have to remain silent when others do not do their work professionally especially when they are public figures. I am not criticising Moira Delia as a person as you seem to understand but I am just criticising her incompetence when speaking Maltese. Having said that, it does not make me neither an expert in Maltese and neither in English - what is blatantly obvious cannot be denied though. A TV presenter should know the language she is using. Professionalism includes this as well. I am not conducting a cruisade against Ms. Delia. I am just expressing my disgust that a public figure like her is allowed to express herself in such a way on the National TV station. I have a right for that. Re four legged brothers and sisters - I would love someone to tell me where that "expression" was coined. I don't even think its English.

C. Sciberras

Dec 27th 2008, 17:51

@ J. Micallef...

Can you take a break and find something more interesting to do than pick and choose the words ppl say! I mean if you're so clever and so confident why don't you present yourself in front of TV, then we can all sit down and analyse you're Maltese in front of the camera..

Why do ppl criticise rather than thank the ppl who do their jobs so professionally and with dedication..??

Happy New Year to all..

Gabriel Cassar Torregiani

Dec 27th 2008, 17:15

To all those on this forum who decided to pick on Ms.Delia for her Maltese; i'd suggest a closer look at your English before you post.

Franco Farrugia

Dec 27th 2008, 17:01

@ Joseph Micallef - Please, do not get hot under the collar. Just to show you how much you are nit-picking, you are finding the expression 'four-legged friends' unwarranted because you are taking it literally. You are not meant to do so!!! It IS AN EXPRESSION! By that, we mean, animals in general and not just animals that have four legs!

Moira is not just a pretty face on the screen, and well you know it. She is intelligent and she is smart. Her Maltese language is a problem, it is true, but it does not invalidate her at all in my eyes - and believe me, I am a perfectionist and a lover of the Maltese language myself.

Eric Soames

Dec 27th 2008, 16:51

Listening to Formula 1's (much missed) commentator Murray Walker or Martin Brundle and their entanglements with language will show that this trait is not limited to TVM. Sometimes it's personality over linguistic skills that wins popularity.

c.camilleri

Dec 27th 2008, 16:39

If these people prefer speak in English in their everyday life how can we expect them to speak proper Maltese when they on TV. Moira is not the only offender in this regard.
@ D Fenech. If you want to see pretty, charming etc girls there plenty of stations and internet sites to look in.

Joseph Micallef

Dec 27th 2008, 16:32

One last thing from me. Before we start being selective and raise standards, our broadcasting services will never be up to standard. Charles Arrigo, Charles Abela Mizzi, Mary Grech, Joe Dimech etc would have never made such errors even though they were not perfect as nobody is. As I previously said I never criticised the work she does. Bringing in this discussion our " four legged brothers and sisters" is just a way to justify the unjustifiable.. As the Maltese goes "min ghandu widnejn ha jisma" or "l-akbar trux hu min ma jridx jisma". Case closed from my part.

Joseph Micallef

Dec 27th 2008, 15:42

Just to make it clear...I was not nit picking. The things she was saying are unacceptable anywhere, much less on a state TV station. If I were to go working with the BBC I would not be allowed to do such mistakes for sure. I mean we are talking about things like singular/plural here while saying "giet inghatata" is totally shocking! This is not a question of someone not being University Degree perfect, this is about someone who has hardly an inkling!! I took like to see a pretty face on the TV screen but if it were just that then why do our TV's have sound speakers? I have nothing against her personally but she should be helped to learn Maltese before being a presenter.

j n ebejer

Dec 27th 2008, 15:40

A good Mastery of the Maltese language should be a prerequisite not just for TV presenters but for public service provision outlets/offices.
I f one has not such mastery and his services are needed therein, there should be an interpreter or translator service.
Once we start learning to respect those who communicate only in Maltese, we start to learn to respect other language communicators and eventually animals too. At least that is the logic connection I could make out of the reference to the good work this presenter seems to be doing.
Regards to all.

g.c.Forte

Dec 27th 2008, 15:18

Is Ms.Moira Delia giving a Maltese or English lessons ? or is she trying to waste her energy to do something (and I am sure she is not being paid for) that most of us do not even think of doing, Mr.Joseph Micallef, can you tell me where I can find you,so when I will be needing some Maltese lessons you show me. And to you Moira..... Keep up the good jobs you are doing,especially with our four legged brothers and sisters.I know for sure that, with what you are doing you are gaining more popularity , at the end of the day who cares how you speak, for me you can speak Chinese,but the important is what you are doing for our society. Keep doing what you are doing, speak how you feel comfortable, and for the rest leave Mr. Micallef teach us how to speak Maltese.

Tanja Cilia

Dec 27th 2008, 15:08

Let's be thankful for small mercies; "ha nipplejaw song" was recently heard on, of all stations, E22.

Anthony Formosa

Dec 27th 2008, 13:06

@ Franco Farrugia Most probably you'll find people like Moira Delia, a non Maltese nor English speaking, if she's working on a Maltese broadcasting then she must have a good knowledge of Maltese language or else if she feels better speaking English then she can work for BBC.

@ D Fenech if you want just to watch someone pretty or charming, then turn to an Italian channel, but I prefer to hear proper Maltese language on a Maltese broadcasting.

lgalea

Dec 27th 2008, 12:51

She's not the only one to bastardize the Maltese language.
All presenters on tv and radio should be forced to attend for lectures in Maltese language and if they fail in their exams they must not be allowed to be behind a camera or mike and fined heavily for their stupid words they say. The station should also be held responsible and heavily fined.

Joseph Micallef

Dec 27th 2008, 11:26

@Mr. Farrugia,
We are speaking about a TV presenter here not a Monti hawker! I did not criticise her character or her ability to impart positive messages in favour of animals (birds are animals too but not four-legged, while snakes have no legs at all). I criticised her ability to be a TV presenter - and a good command of the Maltese Language is expected to be present for such a job. Your reply is totally out of context.

D Fenech

Dec 27th 2008, 11:20

Oh come on! I'd rather have pretty, charming Moira presenting than some of the "howlers" we are sometimes dumped with. Give her a break. She is not perfect and never professed to be as far as i know but to quote from a pop song " she works hard for the money" and makes it look effortless!

Lawrence Mifsud

Dec 27th 2008, 11:17

The worst offenders are the script writers of news broadcasts. These people can go through their text, to correct any errors, before going on air.
When one talks live, not from a written text, he/she is more liable to use the wrong word or phrase, particularly if not of Maltese descent.

Franco Farrugia

Dec 27th 2008, 10:47

Mr Micallef may be right in that Ms Delia DOES appear to find some difficulty in expressing herself in the Maltese language - it's quite clear that Moira is actually English-speaking.

But, so what? She does try hard to speak proper Maltese and for me, at least, it's enough. Anyway, the messages that she continually imparts in favour of our four-legged animals is quite enough for me, for one, to 'forgive' her of her linguistic omissions, if I were to declare them so.

She gives a very positive feeling whenever she's on telly and I would prefer her to many other presenters who are extremely well-endowed in Maltese expression.

Then, again, it's one thing to be able to know the language, and it's quite another to be under stress and tension in front of the cameras.

Moira, keep it up. For what you do for animals, I, for one, admire you. Well done.