Alfred Brincat, Birkirkara
Proper use of Maltese and English (1)
I am sure many will be pleased if broadcasters, as well as many others who appear or are heard on the local media, would brush up their Maltese and English, our two official languages, among others, and start using the right words, expressions and pronunciation.
For example, ‘first of all’ in Maltese, is not l-ewwel nies, which loosely translated means ‘the first people’, but l-ewwel nett. Għalfejn is better used for ‘whereto’ and għaliex for ‘why’. Also, one does not say – well, maybe some do though it is not correct – kont ġo programm for ‘I was on a programme’. In Maltese we say psikjatra and not sikjatra, psikologu and not sikologu. Nor do we say qa nieħu but ħa nieħu, and we say insurance and not inxjurjans.
As for English pronunciation “can’t” is not ‘Kent,’ ‘gas’ is not ‘guess,’ ‘patrol boat’ not ‘petrol boat,’ ‘cabinet’ is not ‘kebinett,’ ‘alleluia’ not ‘allelulia’ and ‘Worcester (sauce or not)’ is not ‘worchester (sauce)’ but ‘wooster’.
This is only the tip of the iceberg but it helps if others could put in their bit as well by contributing and not just siting pretty and criticising; it will help even more.
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Mr Joseph E Briffa
Sep 25th 2011, 18:29
I can't agree with you more. English pronounciation is atrocious not only among broadcasters but also among University lecturers: apart from pronounciation is the matter of not being coherent and articulate. As for Maltese, the use of incorrect words is on the increase. "ghalfejn' is 'what for', 'ghaliex' is 'why'; another one is the use of 'gewwa' for 'in' or 'at', in Maltese we do not say 'gewwa Birkirkara' when we meant '"f''Birkirkara", 'gewwa' is 'inside' not 'in'.The spelling of foreign words in the new Maltese way is sickening. the Latin "ex' for example is used in all languages but in Maltese it has been turned to 'eks', and why 'futbol' not 'football' and 'mobajl' not 'mobile', 'fen' not 'fan', 'flet' not 'flat'. There are quite a number of others which don't seem to come to mind.
Henry S. Pace
Sep 25th 2011, 16:40
Pronounciation and written Maltese leaves much to be desired. Whoever can speak to a microphone or write some words is good to carry out such work on our Media . The Akademja ta' lIlsien Malti fail miserably to present words in the maltese language.
Mrs Janet Bayes
Sep 25th 2011, 14:03
English? On local TV? Since when? Broadcasts are not permitted - - - in protection of the maltese language. Nothing wrong with that - - but shame there isnt a PROPER way to find out the local news in English.
Mr Dylan Olliver
Sep 25th 2011, 13:25
Mr Brincat, you're spot on. TV and Radio presenters in Malta are making such a mess of the English language. Just to add to your list. Hardly anyone has any idea why a "TH' exists. For most it is just a "T" or even worse, a "D". So instead of "Keith", with the last 2 letters sounding like a "T" however pushing one's tongue out between the front teeth, we just hear this : "Keit". The same applies to several other words, most commonly, the definite article "THE". Most presenters have no idea that "THE" changes sound if it is in front of a word that starts with a consonant or if the word starts with a vowel. Another thing I hear very often on the media, is the wrong emphasis given to certain syllables. Many presenters say "ON LINE" putting a strong emphasis on the "ON". Another example is "Fresh Cream" giving a strong emphasis to the word "FRESH". These are just 2 words put together.
Paul McIlroy
Sep 25th 2011, 12:39
And people should not say 'Heppy Bareday' for Happy Birthday.
Mr John Micallef
Sep 25th 2011, 11:03
Oh my gosh, Mr. Brincat, now that's a sore subject.
I simply cannot stand the local stations anymore with their poor use of any possible vocabulary.
A short while ago, a newscaster on a private (political) TV read a piece about the leader of the opposing party, stating that the guy has cornered himself...only that he said it in Maltese and used the word that "Dr. XXX pogga ruhhu f'kantuniera"...as if he's a soliciting or something. The correct word should have been 'rokna' instead of kantuniera - correct me if I'm wrong.
BUT the worst thing is the acceptance of words like:
mobajl
gowl
futbol
etc. in the Maltese vocabulary.
As for the english pronounciation, it's simply a non-starter.
M. Avellino
Sep 25th 2011, 17:28
Mr Micallef you forgot the award winning word 'cirkwit' for circuit :) May I know who decides on the use of such words? Apparently it looks like they are being accepted. And is it mowbajl or mobajl?
Mr Karl Consiglio
Sep 25th 2011, 10:28
Language is always evolving, chillax!
Victor Rodenas
Sep 25th 2011, 09:33
Wa have been saying this for decades,almost nothing happened.