The contributions of Giovanni Bonello and Yves Calì on the Malta Independence coat of arms make very interesting reading. I was involved in a very minor way, not in the design, nor in the heraldic description of the emblem, but in its eventual official reproduction in the Government Gazette.

In 1964 I was an official of the Department of Information and also served on the PR committee of the official Independence celebrations. When the official design was received at the Department for eventual publication in the Government Gazette, probably as a Legal Notice, we were asked to produce a Maltese translation.

One can imagine the problems of translating into Maltese the arcane heraldic language used by the Royal College of Arms. Even relatively simple words such as ‘mantling’ and ‘supporters’ presented difficulties.

Discussing the problem among ourselves, we found no way in which the translation could be effectively and reasonably made. Then someone suggested that we consult that walking encyclopedia, Vincent Depasquale.

We did so and Dr Depasquale, combining his knowledge of heraldry and his erudite preparation produced for us a good translation which was eventually published in the Government Gazette. Incidentally ‘mantling’ came out as ‘svolazzi’ and ‘supporters’ as I recall was translated as ‘sostenji’.

When the official emblem was published in the Government Gazette it was the first time that a picture in full colour was printed in the gazette which carried the heraldic description in both Maltese and English.