The language of television broadcasters

I fully sympathise with Joseph Micallef of Msida (December 23) and others regarding their concern about the use of the Maltese language by TV stations. Unfortunately, nearly all television scriptwriters are not well versed in the basic structure of Maltese and the correct use of its syntax and idioms. They only have a smattering of elementary grammar and that’s it.

Consequently their grammatical knowledge is superficial and incomplete. They know nothing about the grammar of Maltese numerals. They are not aware of such features as semitic collective nouns and their uses. They lack knowledge of correct use of gender, so important in Maltese. Therefore their translations from English are simply funny not to say horrible. Moreover, they write in Maltese and think in English! The whole situation regarding our language has, as a result, become as chaotic as ever. They are bastardising and debasing our language, making singular collective nouns as plural and masculine nouns as feminine, many a time resulting in bad information. To add insult to injury, the so-called Council of the Maltese Language has started ruining our orthography and till now the government has been complacent instead of sacking them for their inconsistencies and unscientific impositions.

The other authorities concerned are simply apathetic. Who cares?

No, our television journalists do not possess an acceptable level of correct usage of Maltese. They want to use a tool without adequate knowledge of how to use it properly and fluently, and what is worse – this is my impression – they do not want to learn!

One last word about “tqegħid tal-prodott” (product placement) mentioned by Mr Micallef. This should have been translated as “reklamar ħafif” or “reklami fiċ-ċokon”. Are they not more intelligible than the funny “tqegħid tal-prodott”?