New Maltese road signs that are lost in translation

Chris Kenny

Sep 20th 2012, 20:36

I have nothing against national pride but to be honest I see the changing of the road signs as a complete waste of time and money. Malta is a very small island and the vast vast vast majority of people know the island well and don't need any road signs to get from A to B. Tourists more than anybody else use road signs but I think that if people come to malta for a holiday planning to visit various places should at least do a bit of research first so they'll know where they need to go.

In short... for 99% of us it will not make a blind bit of difference what language the road signs are in. The reason I think the road signs should be left as they are, is because the time and money invested into changing them over to maltese could be used far better elsewhere....

I'm sure much more people would approve if all the money was used to resurface some of the roads! In my opinion doing that would be much more welcomed by much more people, and benefit all road users.

David Conlin

Aug 30th 2012, 11:57

Born in Wales, living in Germany and a frequent long-stay visitor in the Czech Republic I find such an expression of Maltese culture and identity normal and refreshing.
Visitors to your country (or to any other country not their own) ought to be interested in the history, culture and language. This is sadly not the case in these days of cheap, mass tourism. It's a case of Böackpool with sun and Frankfurt with sea beaches - and perish the locals who cannot provide fish & chips or bratwurst!
I gave my grandson, who will be visiting Malta soon, a Maltese grammar book for his 18th birthday. I must add that he is a language freak and speaks at least 5 European languages (including Czech) well. He finds the Maltese language fascinating - but a bit difficult!

Joseph W. Galea

Aug 30th 2012, 02:06

actually with Malta being so small, I would imagine that everyone on the Island knows where every nook and cranny is.

That leaves the non Maltese speaking/reading visitors, on whom the Maltese economy relies heavily.

If one wants to put up signs, they should be in both Maltese and English, otherwise we are just wasting time and Money.

Mr PAUL ALTON

Aug 27th 2012, 16:45

I am English and wouldn't think twice or object to Malta issuing all its road signs in Maltese. This is your language and you should preserve it.. However the Welsh, who belong to the English, have been putting up their road signs in the Wales province in the Welsh language, which is wrong and gobbledigoop to any one other than a minority of Welsh people..

Anthony Pace Gouder

Aug 27th 2012, 13:50

To be practical the ' IL ' and Parocca could have sasily been ommitted, but this is just 'sillyness' for seeing the name eg. Gzira is enough the 'IL' actually CAUSES NO REAL TROUBLE !

Leaving the names simply GZIRA , VALLETTA and San Girgor with a church logo would suffice too ,

Having placenames in two languages in my opinion is superfluous .

mark johnson

Aug 24th 2012, 09:39

You are tired from your flight, you are finding it difficult driving on the 'wrong' side of the road, you have people walking in the road, you have an arrive up your behind, you are looking for your hotel in st julians, and Thomas Pace insists this is the ideal time to give you a lesson in Maltese.

Alfred J. McEwen

Aug 19th 2012, 19:43

Alfred J. McEwen

The term``AJRUPORT`` is an anglicised Maltese word. Would`nt ``MITJAR`` be a more appropriate term for AIRPORT ? What about ``SEA FRONT`` ..should it not be ``XATT IL-BAHAR TA SLIEMA``? May as well go Maltese all the way one would think. However, one must be reminded that English is a spoken International language as are French, German, and Russian whereas Maltese with all due respect, is not spoken internationally, hence our sense of patriotism should not overshadow the fact that tourists will find English signage as well as Maltese convenient to find their bearings without any undue hassle of trying to figure out what the Maltese only terminology stands for. In my opinion, this is also good business sense and a boon to attract international tourism by having ``user freindly`` signage.

René Micallef

Aug 18th 2012, 19:16

1) It´s great to have road signs in better Maltese... but then, let's do it properly. Gżira in Maltese has a dot on z, Hypogeum is L-Ipoġew (or Ħal-Saflieni) and Freeport is "Il-Port Ħieles". Furthermore, parroċċa is primarily the ecclesiastical entity (the parish community), not the physical structure, which is called knisja ("knisja parrokkjali" if it is the main church in a parish community). Why should we do things half-way?

2) I agree with the bilingualism rationale of Mr Pace, but I believe we should separate the blue directions used to locate town and villages from the brown signs with heritage places. To put everything on one sign with two languages becomes confusing.

3) What happened to road numbering? That's what really helpful to tourists!

4) TM should work not only with the Akkademja, KNIM, MHRA, and MTA, but also with TomTom, Google and Garmin who do the GPS maps!

Mr James Graham

Aug 15th 2012, 21:26

Kernow a'gas dynergh.

Maltese readers, please note that in the United Kingdom, one will encounter road signs in English, Welsh, Gaelic and even Cornish (the opening sentence means welcome to Cornwall.) The myth that they are only in English is just that, a myth. However, there will always be dual language signs, to assist those (such as Maltese visitors) who do not read Cornish or Welsh.

As a permanent resident, I'm quite happy to have Maltese road signs, it's my choice to live here and I'm used to reading Maltese.

But taking a broader view, I think it is a very stupid move to make life more difficult for the tourists in these difficult economic times. Most tourists will speak English as their second or third language.

At the end of the day, it's your country and your right to choose what language your road signs are in, but then please no more complaints about reduced tourist numbers!

Simone Camilleri

Aug 14th 2012, 10:33

I agree with those who have said that since Malta has a dual first language, and since we rely so heavily on our tourists, we should have signs in both Maltese and English. And, just to clarify, not all countries have signs in their language only. From personal experience, signs in Japan also have an English translation (presumably for the convenience of tourists).
http://cominganarchy.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/japan-border-towns2.jpg

stacey zammit

Aug 3rd 2012, 21:20

All signs in Malta should be in maltese ! Other European countries have road signs in their own language. The Maltese language should be used more otherwise it is going to disapear!

Steve Pace

Aug 1st 2012, 15:30

This morning on my way from Marsa i noticed two things which bring all this discussion to a silly end..

One Sign Reading
"Triq Dicembru 13"
Closed to Traffic

Another Road sign reading
"BUSSES "


U Ahna nikwestinja biex suppost jintkibu it tableli !

Joe Xuereb

Aug 1st 2012, 01:42

@M Borg (Today, 10:10). Sur Borġ - in Malta it's a free world, in free-fall, even place names in English according to some - qatt smajt b'Edward De Bono (il-famuż, mhux l-ieħor) u t-teorija tiegħu tal-'lateral thinking' li ma hi teorija xejn imma sens komun.* Is-sens komun ta' dawk li jisħoqilhom aktar minn għixien ibbażat fuq il-limitu ta' 'short and sweet' livell ta' 'texting' fuq it-telefonin tal-but. U banalitajjiet oħra. Issa, biex nerġgħu lura lejn is-suġġett tat-toroq eċċ. Malta, jekk minix sejjer żball, is-sur Borġ sqarr, fl-opinjoni tiegħi sfaċċatament, li t-toroq eċċ. Malta għandhom ikunu bl-Ingliż (u jekk minix sejjer żball, ħalliha sa' hemm, mingħajr kwalifikazzjoni (per eżempju, 'bl-Ingliż U bil-Malti). Allura Ingliż biss?! Jista' s-sur Borg jgħidlna x'wasslu għal din l-ideja ideali(?). Sakemm ma jemminx fl-ideali mingħajr ma għandu l-ebda ideja ħlief li jżomm mas-suġġett, mingħalih. Nistennew xempju ta' raġuni (imma mingħajr ma nżommu n-nifs). Jekk għandek l-appoġġ qawwi tal-konvinzjoni, semmagħhulna.

* F'dan is-sens ma għandi bżonn ħadd jgħidli - wisq anqas kummentaturi hawn - biex nibqa' mas-suġġett. Kif nittratta suġġett dak affari tiegħi ta' bniedem ħieles li jien. Min mhux kapaċi jlaħħaq jista' imur 'jaqbeż'. 'No skin off my nose', kif jgħid l-Ingliż.

Quote: This is getting more interesting - 'You jump form one subject to another and render whatever you write without any meaning. It seems that you are having trouble in controlling your brain cells'. It has nothing to do with controlling the brain cells. Rather it is more to do with using them, laterally, and with conviction. Life then becomes more exciting, with new insights, wider vistas. It is hard work and risky (thinking out of the box?! anyone) but pays dividends. Everyone should try it.

Quote: 'Learn how to compose a comment with some strong points ,only then will your contributons will be worthy of an answer'. And yet you keep coming back (the masokiżmu bit in a previous comment). You are doing very well son.

X'gost dawn il-ġranet Olimpiċi, xemxin bħal konsonanti Maltin! U noqħod nixxemmex kemm irrid u kif irrid. Mela jiġi xi ħabba texter jippatronizzani u jgħidli kif u x'fatta. Sew jgħid il-Malti, il-mara tat-triq (bl-Ingliż 'street') - biex ma ngħidx qaħba b'rispett lejn minn iħobb jaqbdu bil-karta - milli jkollha tagħtik.

Norman E Grech

Jul 31st 2012, 14:17

Signs should be in Maltese because they refer to MALTESE names!

Maps, books and other guide books/magasins should show the Maltese names! Tourists would already be familiar with the names. And may I please remind the readers that Valletta, Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua, Gozo ARE NOT in English!!! Valletta and Senglea are French, Vittoriosa and Cospicua are Italian and Gozo is Spanish!! More importantly they are accepted Maltese names now.

English may be an official language but Maltese are our mother language which should be preserved.

I just came back from an Airmalta presentation on rebranding and was really happy to note that most speeches were made in Maltese, as was the short film. I was greeeted by a massive 'MERHBA' sign!!

Prosit!

M Borg

Jul 31st 2012, 10:10

@ Joe Xuereb



Has no one ever told you that before you write somthing you have to choose a subject and stick to it ?

You jump form one subject to another and render whatever you write without any meaning. It seems that you are having trouble in controlling your brain cells.

Learn how to compose a comment with some strong points ,only then will your contributons will be worthy of an answer.

Joe Xuereb

Jul 31st 2012, 01:03

@ M Borg (Today, 19:45). To use a blanket riposte very popular in this corner of the woods, 'what is your sexual problem, mister?!' I have decided it has to be a 'he', one of those with his brain-cells....... Voila'! Short and sweet, like I were texting because incapable of much else. I imagine that holding onto a job and being independent would require all your energies, M. So maybe it is you who needs a break as in 'bħal ħbejża tigħhieli llum qabel għada, bil-ġunġlien u għazz. U masokiżmu'.

Bilħaqq, kummenti bil-Malti fuq l-internett huma aċċettabli dejjem skond il-kontenut. Hemm min ma jiktibx bil-Malti għall-korteżija, mingħalihom; hemm dawk li jiktbu bil-Malti u jagħtu prova ta' kemm l-ilsien Malti għandu bżonn ta' daqqa ta' sieq fuq il-warrani! l-ewfemiżmi nħalluhom għal dawk li jehdew bl-Ingliżati, u d-daħq li jiġġeneraw), u dawk li jistħu jiktbu bil-Malti għax ma jridux jaqgħu għac-cajt man-nies.


Innutajt li l-formula tal-kunjomijiet kollha snobiżmu huma dejjem kunjom komuni Malta l-ewwel u warajh is-sinjal qasir -( bl-Ingliż il-hyphen biex niftehmu), jew mingħajru, u wara dan il-kunjom eżotiku ta' preġju, li jgħolli l-istat soċjali ta' dak li jkun (ta' spiss dawn it-tipi hawn barra minn Malta nsejjħulhom, 'all fur and no knickers': per eżempju Borg de la Valette. Filwaqt li meta l-kunjom nobbli jkun l-ewlieni - u għalhekk l-aktar validu - qatt ma naraw warajh segwit b'isem ordinarju Malti: per eżempju, de la Salle Xuereb. Kultant naraw attentat fjakk f'eżempji ta' żewġ kunjomijiet ordinarji Maltin. Ngħidu aħna, Vella Cassar, Cassar Borg (jew Borġ, ma niskantax!). Jippruvaw, imma jfallu, meskinament. Forsi issa li tant għandna kunjomijiet eżotiċi minn kull rokna tad-dinja, din l-użanza wirt tal-kolonjaliżu tinqata' darba għal dejjem għax naqsitilha dik li t-Taljani jgħidulha ' la grinta'. Bil-Malti ma nafx x'tgħidu għax ili nieqes. Ippermettili Borg li nissuġġerixxi, 'xi ħaġa li fiha x'togħmod'. Bħal kumment ta' sugu, insomma. Tidjuż, irrepetut(?), imma ta' sugu. Xewki!

Joe Xuereb

Jul 30th 2012, 18:52

Health warning. To anyone who cannot digest more than a few words at a time, you do not have to continue reading beyond this point. One must not task the little brain-cells too much, must one one!? Remember, one always has a choice.

@ M Borg (Today, 15:25). Mr./Ms. M. Borg, if your attention span is deficient, how is that my problem?
Short and Sweet is often a symptom of - a deficient attention span. And of course, when one has not much to say, literally or because of some incapacity. Especially when discussing a serious matter. Serious to me of course, but not others. Denial, failure to reason, inability to reason, fear of reasoning - these are all manifest of a serious attention deficiency that impoverishes the weak, making him/her weaker. In English we call these people - s/he cannot string five words together. Much more than five words, whether in serious mode, or flippant, indicates a vibrant, active mind. Maybe the cool London air enhances this. Maybe the stifling Maltese glare inhibits it rendering it feeble, lazy, apathetic, narrow-minded and ignorant. Now you see what you have made me do, M Borg. And you will very likely not grasp this but a heart-felt show of gratitude to you. AND I am a kind man. Assuming - I hate the word, so passive and lethargic - that you have reached this far, see the alert at the start of this comment. You sound the curious, if shallow type, so you probably did get this far. Oh well!

And no I would not have bothered correcting your 'composition'. My time is precious and not given to nit-picking. The content of your comment told me all I wanted to know after all. Make time and take time to expand your view towards greater things, like composition decent, thought-out sentences, even if only in your head, Borg. Because you're worth it. But of course how much you are worth is up to your to decide, your responsibility entirely. You're a big boy/girl now, you can make it. Never, ever, let anybody else drag you down. Because you're worth it. Aren't you?!

@ anyone else. It takes time and effort to write a lengthy comment that is at least half coherent, albeit one that not everyone agrees with. It takes time, the essence of everything. Some will make it but most will not, possibly because they cannot be arsed (if you don't mind a bit of slang which is fine as long as it is in context - I am not one to handle stuff with tissue-paper. Seize the day ever mindful of one's track-record is my motto). Never mind!

Having read another of M. Borg's contributions regarding the use of English, where (lecture room, restaurant, and so on). I am not in a position to know whether food tastes better in English or Maltese, in Malta. I imagine most waiting jobs are filled by foreigners these days as many Maltese have been lead to believe that they are above serving at tables. As for lectures/seminars delivered in Maltese! The mind boggles! I often have occasion to listen on video clips here on the ToM and it never seems to amaze me how, bar few exceptions, the experience (of listening in) to professional people just talking or being interviewed is funny and painful in equal measures.

Joe Xuereb

Jul 30th 2012, 18:39

@M Borg (Today, 15:41). M. Borg, naf x'jien ngħid u l-karattru ta' ħafna Maltin nafu wkoll. Ta' spiss tant għandhom kumpless ta' inferjorita' li jekk jistgħu ibagħbsu isem il-familja biex jidher aktar stanġier, xejn ma jżommhom. F'dan il-każ għandna il-firda ta' 'de' mill-isem prinċipali - innota, mhux 'De' - biex l-isem jieħu xgħira 'franċiża'(?). Forsi bidel il-kunjom bid-'deed poll' barra minn Malta bħal ħafna nisa Maltin li jinqabdu tqala u jmorru barra biex jirranġaw ruħhom. Affarijiet li jiġru dawn M. għalkemm issa d-divorzju nistgħu insajjruh id-dar, kif naħseb ġa' indunajt. Ukoll naf bid-tendenza tal-Maltin li jekk għandhom fil-familja (forsi minn naħa ta' l-omm jew il-bużnanna, dan iżiduh mal-kunjom komunissmu bħal Vella, Sammut, Pace, eċċ. (bir-rispett kollu lejn dawn il-kunjomijiet) qishom qegħdin jgħidu, 'jien Malti, imma skużani ta' għandi demmi mħallat'. Biex jintrefgħu f'għajnejn is-soċjeta' mingħalihom. Eżempji għandna kemm irridu ta' dawn. Min hu demmu Malti pur u ma jistax jirrikorri lejn dan is-snobiżmu patetiku, allura għandu għażla waħda. Jara kif jagħmel biex l-uniku kunjom li għandu jara kif isawwru biex jagħtih xgħira sofistikata, b'iktar dinjita'. Eżempju invertit ta' dan hu kumment dan l-aħħar fuq dawn il-paġni, minn għand wieħed iffirma Buħaġiar. Bil-Malti, konvenzjonalment, ngħidu u niktbu Buhagiar. Il-'ħ' ngħaddihielu imma 'ġia' fil-Malti lanqas tista' teżisti jekk nimxu mar-regola ta' ortografija. Dan jgħidu Aquilina mhux jien, is-servjent tiegħu.

It-Times ta' Malta hija gazzetta bil-lingwa Ngliża verament u għalhekk hi popolari. Isservi l-barranin - dawk li jitħaddtu bl-Ingliż - u l-Maltin li-kapaċi biss biex jiċħdu l-patrimonju tagħhom waqt li jxejjru bandieri ta' ħaddieħor. Sa' fejn naf jien il-gazzetta hi bl-Ingliż mija fil-mija kif suppost. Imma, il-kummenti ta' hawn huma online u barra l-ambjent tal-gazzetta attwali. Li wieħed jikteb bil-Malti - u nfakkrek li l-maġġuranza jiktbu bl-Ingliż - ta' spiss appena, appena, u 'vera fa' pena - għax mhumiex kapaċi jagħmlu ieħor. Interessanti li meta s-suġġett ikun l-ilsien Malti, l-artiklu jiġbed volum ta' kummenti. Ħafna Maltin, mhux kollha, għandhom għal qalbhom dan is-suġġett li hu sinjal li jqawwi l-qalb. Fuq kollox, M. Borg, jien nagħti midalja Olimpika lili nnifsi li nikteb u nitkellem sew bil-Malta minkejja ħamsin sena barra. Int kapaċi? Kont taf, per eżempju, li biex wieħed jitkellem sew lingwa barranija, l-ewwel u qabel xejn għandu bżonn ikollu maestrija f'ilsien ommu. Inkella ma għandux ċans. Apparti dan, jien nikteb bil-Malti mhux għall-benefiċċju tiegħek għax milli nista' nifhem, int każ mitluf. Nikteb biex nagħti kuraġġ lill-Kunsill tal-Malti u lil kull min jifhem l-importanza ta' wirtu f'kull qasam immaġinabbli. L-oħrajn jistgħu ikomplu jagħtu bqija qasira lilhom infushom. Minn dawk niġi naqa' u nqum.
Nittamaw - for all it is worth - li M. Borg għandu/għandha kuntatti li għandhom ħin biżżejjed biex jgħiduh/a tifhem din il-kitba bil-Malti. Minn hawn 'l hinn, x'jagħmel b'ħajjtu/ħajjetha mhux affari, responsabbilta' tiegħi.

Norman E Grech

Jul 30th 2012, 17:02

Mr Chetcuti!!

Vittoriosa is in Italian and not English as Senglea is in French, again not English!

We have this absurd situation where our MEP's speak Maltese in the European parliament but I cannot speak my mother language in Malta when for example I go to eat in a restaurant to chill out!!

English may be an official language but Maltese is our mother language and all signs should be in Maltese like all signs in England are in English, all signs in Italy are in Italian and so on.

I attend a lot of seminars in Malta for various reasons and yes, I much prefer to have who ever is delivering the address, to do it in Maltese! If we happen to be 500 Maltese and a cowboy shows up and demands to have it in English, the quality of the seminar for me diminishes! This is totally unfair!

Guillaume Girard

Jul 30th 2012, 15:34

I am not Maltese and I understand this sign having the picture of a church or a temple next to the Maltese name!

I visited Malta lately and it was not difficult for me to find my way around. My map had all the names and the island is so small. Gozo is smaller! I found less than 8 towns in Malta with 2 names. Do not make big fuss.

visitmalta.com is a helpful website for tourists even for the many others who visit Malta and do not speak English.

It is strange Kristina that you want Malta road signs in English. You must travel more :)

Darby Allen

Jul 30th 2012, 14:49

In other countries where English is an official language there are English language television channels; not in Malta!
The only English language newspaper in Malta publishes comments/letters in Maltese; what’s that about? If you want to write in Maltese, write to one of the other papers!
In San Pawl il-Baħar all the street names are shown in Maltese only, but it’s common to see adverts using English names; how is a tourist to know that the shop he wants to visit on Winter Street is on Triq ix-Xitwa? I wonder how much trade is lost thereby.
English is the only official language in England, but we routinely publish documents in many of the over 300 languages in general use: why is Malta so opposed to offering the same courtesy to English speakers?
English is an official language – in law if not in practice. For all I know the failure to properly recognise English speakers in Malta may be an offence under EU law. (Aren’t you glad you joined?)
Why don’t I learn Maltese? Why should I? – when I lived in Central America and Spain I learned Spanish. And when stationed in Cyprus I learned Greek – because English, although widely spoken, has no legal standing in those countries – unlike English in Malta.
375 million people speak English as their first language, compared to perhaps half a million who speak Maltese as theirs; shutting out the English speakers is a very short-sighted policy but perhaps it is time that Malta admitted the fiction that English is an official language, and have done with it!

Mario Camilleri

Jul 30th 2012, 14:19

As for the commentator she said 'parroċċa' refers to a church. Correction 'parroċċa' is a parish, whereas church is 'knisja'.

Joe Xuereb

Jul 30th 2012, 14:17

@anthony sultana (Today, 09:58). Anthony Sultana, it is acceptable to use capital letters for one's, or indeed, anyone else's name, you know!

I picked your comment out of a bag, randomly, as it was typical. The sad news is that your English is going nowhere fast if your short comment is anything to go by(but you are probably good a texting, of sorts). And of course you are one of those who is quite happy to forget all about your own language because it is useless. Identity is useless, Anthony?! Just food for thought. But I don't think you'll take much notice. It is too much like hard work.

Anthony, I am sorry if you find it difficult to understand this comment in English. I would have written it in Maltese but you would understand that even less I imagine. Oh dear!


@ Andrew Agius (Today, 09:25). Mr. Agius, you say that some Maltese do not speak Maltese. I presume you mean non-Maltese nationals who live in Malta. Or are you referring to Maltese people born in Malta of Maltese parents? In which case, why do they not speak the language of their parents? A loaded question, I agree but one that deserves and answer.

@Kenneth Grima. Somewhere within this morass of confused ideas I read your comment. Very well put and congratulations.


Maps are interesting documents. Why not produce multi-lingual ones, including Maltese. And anyone who is daft enough to claim that the Maltese do not need a map in Maltese because because they know the island like the back of their hand - may or may not be true. But studying the topography of a place is a different matter. Familiarising oneself with a place to be visiting before travelling is a very useful skill (how else would I have landed in Istanbul, etc. coach to the city centre, in the dead of night, in the middles of winter, with no language skills (then - other than a few sessions at an evening class). AND NO BOOKED PLACE TO STAY. And hungry. All I needed was a street lamp, my familiar lamp, a magnifying-glass, and a compass. And I was little more then a kid who had quit Malta not long before. So exciting! And with practice, it became less and less fearful. In fact, a piece of cake (like we say). Maps are wonderful. I have a couple of Malta and with a couple of pictorial books - like, for instance, Gozo 360degrees - I can have a holiday in Malta any day of the week from my armchair. All it takes is a little imagination, and enthusiasm just generates itself. And why wouldn't I love Turkey just because the Sultan's men regularly came to attack us four hundred years ago. These days supposed friends attack and try to diminish what we stand for and we, the Maltese, collude with them. And they try - with a little help of too many Maltese - to subdue us by reminding us that Malta without English is nothing and would survive on nettle-soup. This when nobody knows what international language we will be speaking in the not too distant future (one should really listen in the English that is spoken on the streets of London - the Queen's English, it ain't!). And commenters here who speak and remind Malta of globalisation - maybe this is why sharing Malta's burdens is not on the cards. The denigrate our language and expect us to go it alone because it suits them. Of course Malta is turning out not to be the ideal retirement island in the sun. The sun is there alright but so much else is not what they bargained for. And they vent their frustrations on the Maltese language, not bothering to learn any of it (very typical of British enclaves cum ghettos - bar a few exceptions - in places like Spain and anywhere else) and now even denigrating the language because they can not, or will not, hack it. And sadly, this is reflected in some Maltese. What I call, linguistic indolence.

J Pecorella

Jul 30th 2012, 13:34

With all due respect to the Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti, which does excellent work in promoting the correct use of Maltese, but what does this council's work have to do with either Transport or Tourism? Since these road signs are for the (predominant) guidance to drivers who have no clue where they are going, why add to their confusion not to mention danger to other road-users, by sending them on a wild goose chase? Most Maltese drivers can ignore these signs completely, being familiar with the roads and where we're going!

anthony sultana

Jul 30th 2012, 13:25

We shall sing in maltese also, and see what happen.

Alan Davies

Jul 30th 2012, 12:53

As an Englishman, and a regular visitor to Malta I dont understand why the road signs should be in two languages,Maltese signage should suffice. Tourists can find their way around the island using Arriva buses whose destination signs are in English.
It would help if the authorities placed the signs visibly and well in advance of the junctions.
I can remember about 30 years ago a Maltese cab driver say to me, " In Malta you cannot get lost, only confused."

Joe Xuereb

Jul 30th 2012, 12:48

@Ray de Bono (Today, 01:30). Sur Debono - dan minn meta de Bono? - għaliex ħela ta' spazju, sieħbi?

Ir-raġuni li kull pajjiż ma għandux l-Ingliż bħala t-tieni lsien uffiċjali hi li dawk il-pajjiżi qatt ma kienu kolonjalizzati mill-Ingilterra. Sempliċi!

Fl-argument qed jidħol in-nuqqas ta' ftehim ta' l-argument. Faċli li wieħed jgħid li l-Ingliż hu l-aktar lsien importanti (li hu veru) u b'hekk jiġġustifika il-għażla tiegħu. Pjuttost li b'hekk jagħti prova a) ta' nuqqas ta' vera identita' Maltija b) għażż għax ma jħossx l-ebda bżonn li jitgħallem aktar il-Malti, ilsien tqil għal Malti apatetiku u mingħajr enerġija mentali, passiv.

L-Ingliżi magħrufin għall-indifferenza li għandhom lejn kull ħaġa li mhix Ingliża. Jgħixu Malta u qatt ma jagħmlu sforz u, bħal Malti għażżien, għax għandhom?! Malti kulħadd jitkellem bl-Ingliż, mhux hekk?! U x'Ingliż babaw! Il-ġenerazzjonijiet ġodda jħarbtu kif ġie ġie b'ħafna tlaqliq u Ingliżati. Meta jitkellmu ma' min hu ixjeħ, li forsi qatt ma tgħallmu jgħidu kelma bl-Ingliż, il-povru anzan ma jistax jifhem u l-komunikazzjoni bejniethom tisfaxxa. Qegħdin sew!!

Sur Debono - skużani, sur de Bono - jien ili nieqes minn Malta ħamsin sena. Imma wara s-sofferenza ta' gwerra liema bħalha, il-Maltin ta' dak iż-żmien kienu kburin bl-identita' Maltija wirt ta' dawk li ġew qabilhom. Illum dak is-sentiment kważi għeb għal kollox, kif qegħdin naraw. Imma l-aqwa li l-Ingliż hu lsien internazzjonali, l-ilsien tal-kompjuter, mhux hekk?!

Il-bniedem mingħajr passjoni u konvinzjoni soda u ġusta f'dak li veru jemmen jista' jimtedd, jagħlaq għajnejh u jmut. U nfakkar hawn li l-Ingliż hu wisq aktar milli wieħed ipaċpaċ erba kelmiet b'ħafna tgħawwiġ tal-ħalq u aċċent Malti jqallak (u hemm il-paradoss għal min jifhimni). L-Ingliż korrett hu lsien diffiċli bħal kull ilsien ieħor meta użat kif imiss.

Fost pajjiżi oħrajn, meta vvjaġġajt il-Greċja, it-Turkija l-ilsien differenti eċċitani u tgħallimt niktbu, naqrah u nitkellmu. Mort kont l-Olanda kont ninqeda bl-Ingliż. Meta niġi Malta nitkellem bil-Malti imma jweġbuni b'Ingliż imfarrak, li jewġġa' l-menti ta' min hu sensittiv għall-lingwa. Meta ma nużax xi kelma ordinarja bħal 'beżżiegħi' u jgħiduli li llum Malta jużaw il-kelma 'kotart' u varjazzjonijiet oħra bħal xi biċċa mużka ta' Elgar. Nagħtu każ li jien qatt ma tgħallimt it-Taljan, ngħid dan xinhu jgħid. Eżempju ċar ta' dak li għid qabel. Vantaġġ ukoll li min jgħożż il-komunikazzjoni pjuttost isibni individwu nteressanti biex ngħidu erba kelmiet bejnietna. Ma dawk li għal raġuni jew oħra ma jridux jifhmu s-sugu ta' din id-diskussjoni, ma' dawk it-tipi kull taħdit jisfaxxa fix-xejn f'qasir żmien għax ma tantx għandhom xi jgħidu ta' siwi, la bl-Ingliż u wisq anqas bil-Malti.

Sur De Bono - skużani, sur de Bono - niżżik ħajr li tajtni l-opportunita' nikteb kumment bil-Malti ħalli nġedded dal li hu għażiż għalija. Nittama li l-Malti għallanqas għadek taqrah mingħajr ħafna tqanżieħ imma, kif jgħid l-Ingliż, minix inżomm in-nifs. Il-għodwa t-tajba u saħħa lilek u l-tiegħek. Nittama wkoll li int kapaċi tikkonċentra aktar minn minuta hawn u band'oħra. Fi kliem ieħor, li 'l-attention span' tiegħek mhix nieqsa w defiċjenti.

Ħsieb ta' wara. Ġaladarba l-mentalita' ta' l-ikkonolozzat għadha persistenti, allura naqbel li l-ismijiet tal-postijiet għandhum jidhru kemm bil-Malti (nittama mingħajr żbalji) u bl-Ingliż. Hekk kulħadd ikun kuntent, soddisfatt, u ferħan (fis-sens gay).

Alan Davies

Jul 30th 2012, 12:40

As an Englishman who is also a regular visitor to Malta, I don't see why the road signs have to be in two languages. For example most tourists to Malta can travel around the island by Arriva buses which have their destination signs in English.
I can always remember about thirty years ago a Maltese cab driver saying to me " In Malta you cannot get lost, only confused."

Ben Foley

Jul 30th 2012, 12:01

I've been in Malta last week. Something which struck me as very odd was exactly this! You find 'Paola' written everywhere and no one uses it. I've spoken to several locals and they all say 'Raħal Ġdid' (I hope that I'm copying it correctly). The same applies for San Giljan.

So why do you insist not to use the names in Maltese? In Malta you expect to find Maltese on public signs and notices.

Not all of your tourists read English. Therefore if you use Maltese on your road signs it makes no difference at all to them! All you have to do is update the MTA maps with both names. It's good that the names in Maltese are used by Arriva buses. At least Arriva (a British company) is respecting your national language.

James Borg

Jul 30th 2012, 11:59

Signs in Maltese will not deter tourism! Bad roads would! Nevertheless, in other countries like France, Germany and the Netherlands signs are only in one language and then it's up to the visitor to understand and make his/her own way around. On the other hand, in a country with two or more official languages like Belgium and Luxembourg, the two main languages are clearly displayed, even though I must admit that in Belgium signage is a complete mess.

But I think here, from the signs I'm seeing, it's not just a problem of language but it's a problem of design. How can the signs indicating structures/buildings like that for the Sliema Local Council and for the Churches be as prominent and on the same board as the names of cities like Valletta and St. Julian's which are more aimed at drivers rather than pedestrians. There need to be a clear distinction not just in colour but also in size.

Is there a professional designer in charge of all the signage at Transport Malta? Don't you think it's about time to ask for professional help from another country to establish a uniform design for all the Maltese Islands? Or at least copy someone else's system?

These signs show lack of knowledge and thought. And it took a lot of thought for the British transport authorities to come up with the standard traffic signs that all the world is now accustomed to like the one way and the speed limit signs! And if the Maltese language has to be used, which in my opinion it should be the main language displayed along with the English equivalent name, please get some professional linguist to write down all the signs in a standard and correct form. I never saw a sign anywhere indicating a parish ("parroċċa") but rather a church ("Knisja"). Signs usually should indicate the buildings not the entity running them, even though this is not always the case.

So get things right please because these signs are ridiculous in many aspects!

J. Falzon

Jul 30th 2012, 11:56

Stop comparing Malta to the likes of Germany or France. We, as an independent country, rely on tourism to sustain our economy. Germany and France (for example) don't necessarily need tourists for their economy, they're industrial and economic giants - but we do. Besides, both Maltese AND English are our official Languages. I don't want Maltese to be taken out, but I don't want English to be covered up completely by Maltese either. Seems as if it's the same dilemma that the Maltese faced back in the time where the debate was Italian vs English rather than Maltese vs English.

Gianfrancesco Buttigieg

Jul 30th 2012, 11:36

How about this:

Lokalni Kunsilli Sankta Venera
Paarisha St. Sebaastian

Its a made up language... but I'm sure everyone understood what is being said anyway.

When I was in Greece did I fret because the signs on the highway said Eixodus instead of Exit (and in the Greek alphabet to boot)? Did I expect to see a group of Israelites fleeing Egypt at the next junction? No, I just figured out that it meant exit... and it did.

M. Zarb

Jul 30th 2012, 11:32

First of all, Malta has two official languages: Maltese AND English.

Second of all, many tourists come to Malta because it's convenient - they know they can get about with speaking English. Yes, in France, you need to know French, and in Serbia, you need to know Serbian. But we are neither France, nor Serbia. Tourists love that they can get about with only knowing English, and I don't see why we should discourage that.

Funny that a picture of a boat and the sign "Ghawdex" might not translate to "that smaller island - Gozo" in a tourist's mind!

Sarah Agius

Jul 30th 2012, 11:07

Really now, how many times have you met a tourist or a foreigner and told them you are from MOLTA (the English way of saying it) and they give you this weird, confused look? Then they realise you're talking about what they themselves call MALTA...cos that's the name of our country. Stop stressing about names. Seriously people here believe that the Maltese signs will keep tourists away?...grow up.

victor bonello

Jul 30th 2012, 10:59

is this another fiasco under Gatts Ministry??

A Cachia

Jul 30th 2012, 10:55

What?

Spain - All signs in Spanish
Italy - All signs in Italian
Vienna - All signs in German
France - All signs in French

James Attard

Jul 30th 2012, 10:50

Fuss over nothing. To me the signs should have always been in Maltese after all we are in Malta. If you go to any other foreign country you'll find signs wriiten dow with their Mother tounge. Even letter are sent in English how pathetic we are. Foreigners should adapt to us not us adapting to them after all we have accepted them her and they should accept learning Maltese
.

Christine Vella

Jul 30th 2012, 10:41

X'jigifieri 'Not necessarily good news'? Anzi hija ahbar tajba hafna wkoll. Meta turist jigi Malta, jkun gie f'pajjiz iehor b'lingwa u kultura differenti minn tieghu u jrid jadatta hu ghalina mhux ahna ghalih. (bhall kullimkien fid-dinja). J'hekk il-mapep li noffru huma miktubin bl-Ingliz....x'qed nistennew??? Niktbuwhom bil-MALTI !!!!!! Problema solvuta.

Doris Farrugia

Jul 30th 2012, 10:36

When abroad,all the street signs are in mother language[of course outside England] and if one happens to be near the dolomites,some signs are in Latin.Even when travelling on buses or locality train, the voice on the speakers announcing the next stop is in their language.If there's trouble concerning tourists,I think there is need to update the street map.

B. Storace

Jul 30th 2012, 10:17

Unfortunately we have got to the stage where we cannot see further than the length of our nose. The Maltese language, of which I happen to be very proud of, is only spoken in Malta and Gozo. Once one gets outside Maltese territory communication in our language is practically impossible and this is being experienced by the many Maltese who have no knowledge of a foreign language especially English, which is spoken and understood universally. Here, in Malta, we have taken a step back and the majority of teenagers cannot sting together a coherent sentence in English. Our education system is failing them and the repercussions will be felt even more in the next few years. I was under the impression that English and Maltese are the country's official languages while Maltese is the National language.

J Degabriele

Jul 30th 2012, 10:11

What a fuss over nothing!

JC Sullivan

Jul 30th 2012, 10:10

Official language or not English is the accepted international language of business so get off your collective "Proud of the Maltese language" soap box.

Road signage should be in a language recognized by ALL (as in Greece, China and other non-latin alphabet countries). Of course, you could change the maps to Maltese if Transport Malta want to be THAT patriotic.

Joe Debono

Jul 30th 2012, 10:04

what's all this fuss about having Malta signs in Maltese ... the majority of the bloggers are assuming that tourist are english speaking ... however this is not the case ... there are french, italians, russians, polish, germans who come to malta and a lot of these tourist have to translate also the english signs or whatever there is in english to their native language as they do not understand english at all.

i've travelled to a lot of countries now and i'm sure that a lot of you have also travelled to a lot of place ... so if we call a person who comes to malta a tourist, we are also tourists when we travel abroad... yet we manage to go around from one place to another..

and nobody can speak nonsense about malta being bilingual .. our 1st national native language is maltese and then english... if you're watching the olympics now, competitors sing the national anthem in their native language.....

Antonia Vella

Jul 30th 2012, 10:01

Prosit ahna mhux Maltin. Meta ssiefer bhal grecja, spanja, franza, xejn ma tara bl-ingliz kollox bil-lingwa taghhom

A. Schembri

Jul 30th 2012, 09:54

Dan ir rapport bis serjeta jew!

Qad marru il libja
qatt marru pajjizi ohrajn f'europa. Ghaliex ghandhom jkunu per ezempju b'ingliz, u jekk it utist ma jafx ingliz mhux ghalxejn.

nzommuhom bil malta fejn nistaw

Mela il-port ta l-imgarr --> Mgarr Harbour. U min ma jafx xi tfisserr harboutr gghax ma jafx ingliz mhux xorta jibqa f'istess ilma. Li jrid jkun hemm hu li il mappep tat turisti jaqblu mas sinjali tat toroq.

Hemm ghalinqas tkun ehfef ghat turist.

Chris Bowen

Jul 30th 2012, 09:47

Interesting subject,and one close to my heart.
I live on the English/Welsh border so i know how some of you may feel.The Town Centre of Chepstow,has directions in both English and Welsh,yet no one actually speaks Welsh in the area.You have to travel many miles to find anyone who actually speaks it.However,as it's the first town you enter when you come to Wales,then they feel putting signage in Welsh and English is appropriate.
Now onto another issue,but keeping with the Maltese language topic.Applying for jobs in Malta.
Why is it so important to be able to speak Maltese ? Take a look at many of the vacancies advertised.
Must be able to speak both Maltese and English,plus on some vacancies other languages too.If Maltese isn't teached or used outside the island.How on earth do you learn to speak it.?
Is this just not a crafty way to say Maltese jobs for Maltese people.Not a bad idea,however being part of the EU,does Malta openly encourage EU citizens to come and live/work and enjoy the lifestyle Malta has to offer.

Mark Tagliaferro

Jul 30th 2012, 09:43

Rahal Gdid huwa laqam. Paola bil-Malti, Paola tibqa. Is-sinjali huma tajbin jekk hallewha Paola.

marthese formosa

Jul 30th 2012, 09:31

Prosit lill-Kunsill Malti ghall-ilsien Malti! Fl-ahhar forsi naslu! Komplu sejrin hekk halli xi darba vera nkunu Maltin

Andrew Agius

Jul 30th 2012, 09:25

It's all very well asserting that maltese is the most important language for Malta - but however you try to say it that is simply not the case.
Like Wales (which has signposts in Welsh and English) Malta would struggle massively to compete in the world if it weren't for the fact that English is also an official language.
Denying an official language is therefore a blatant form of discrimination against a significant part of the populace. Just as many Maltese can't speak English, many can't speak Maltese. There's a choice.
Of course if the government wishes to drop English as an official language then things would be different, all the road signs can be in maltese and we can all scrape a living from the land and sea...

R. Balzan

Jul 30th 2012, 09:22

Why is it that for a number of years now, anything concerning Transport Malta, is either skewered or an outright mess? Says a lot of whoever runs the place and the minister responsible for the enterprise - whoever he is.

Carmel Borg

Jul 30th 2012, 09:19

What's wromg in this. Does not all countries have their signs in their tongue language?
Some people would even consider 'selling their mother'...'ibieghu l-ommhom'.

J Farrugia

Jul 30th 2012, 09:11

Lets face it how the hell can you get lost in Malta, stop moaning and get on with life it's way to short.

Joseph Laus

Jul 30th 2012, 09:07

well done transport Malta we are Maltese.......and we must be proud of our language as many other countries do namely Germany,, France,,England and all other counties all over the world,,,Those who think or pretend they are not Maltese then they should go abroad ,Malta is overpopulated,,no problem

Norman Gili

Jul 30th 2012, 09:01

vera tal biki mhux bil malti jew ingliz. jien l-aktar li jdejjaqnu hu dawk per ezempju FOR ADVERTISING CONTACT KUNSILL LOKALI SAN PAWL IL-BAHAR

N.GILI

Francis Cassar

Jul 30th 2012, 08:57

What should be bilingual is not the actual place names but major or crucial information such as "airport" , "hospital" "danger" "stop" etc.
Place names should remain in the original language. Why should we translate place names as well?
If a tourist goes to Mont Blanc would he expect to find its translation as "white Moutain" ?
Although I must agree that if for so many years a place was called "St. Julians" on maps and other signs and suddenly it is now "San Giljan" it is quite obvious for Maltese people but not so obvious for foreigners. The same goes for L-Imsida and Ir-Rabat or Il-Mosta. It is pretty obvious to me but not for a foreigner. If we have to change the standard of the way place names are written, all well and good but it should be done accross the board, signs, maps, official goverment documents, GPS etc.
The database for Maltapost post codes online used to be under the old standard eg. Rabat not Ir-Rabat but now when you start typing "R" immediately "Ir-Rabat" comes up even though you do not include the article in the search. The same cannot be said for GO online telephone directory where the old standard prevails.

Ray Woods

Jul 30th 2012, 08:49

Ever read Gulliver's Travels? It was about little inflated blimps like the people behind this. Shows a Government NOT in control. Buses that don't arrive, inflated prices, signs that can't be read. You might think that Malta doesn't want tourists - well that's fine. Plenty of other countries do.

Kieron O'connor

Jul 30th 2012, 08:49

Road signs in Ireland are both in English and Irish, a number of years back a number of towns in Irish speaking areas were changed to Irish only.
The town called "Dingle" became sign posted as "An Daingean" with no English translation.
There was uproar from those involved in the tourism industry in the area, guest houses and shops alike. All the maps and guide books said "Dingle", and all the tourists spent hours trying to find there way to "Dingle".
Common sense has since prevailed and the sign posts now read in English and Irish.
In my experience, the biggest problem with road signs in Malta is how small they are and the places they hide them, they should be larger and be placed well in advance of junctions, they should be placed from the perspective of the person who needs sign postage to find there way, not from the perspective of the local who knows his way.

Kenneth Grima

Jul 30th 2012, 08:36

Tassew poplu patetiku. Tant m'ghandniex fiex inhabblu mohhna li kull haga li tohloq sensazzjoni nahtfuha u naghmlu storja, anzi rumanz, minnha. Ma nimmaginax xi poplu iehor f'sensih li se joqghod jiddiskuti b'liema lingwa ghandhom ikunu l-ismijiet tal-irhula u l-bliet f'pajjizu, ghax nahseb it-twegiba hi ovvja. Timmagina tmur Ruma u tara "Rome" flok "Roma" jew "The Hague" u tara "Hague" mkinflok. Jien, kif intqal diga', il-gost tieghi meta nsiefer hu li nesperjenza l-pajjiz li qed inzur b'mod shih (fil-kliem, fil-kitba, fil-kultura ...). Hawnhekk le ... hawn nohorgu lsien u nilaghqu laghqa lill-barrani daqs li kieku l-ezistenza taghna tiddependi b'mod esklussiv fuqu. Sewwa nghid .... il-mentalita' kolonjali ghadha tigri f'demmna, jew ahjar f'demm xi uhud minnha li minghalihom waslu hafna 'l quddiem imma li fir-realta' ghadhom halib il-barrani fi snienhom (jekk tippermettuli nbiddel xi ftit l-idjoma). Din mhix kwistjoni ta' patrijottizmu jew ta' patrijottizmu bla sugu. Din hi kwistjoni ta' identita'. Barrani serju li jigi Malta biex jesperjenza l-kultura taghna b'mod shih u mhux biex jara estensjoni tal-Ingilterra f'Malta. L-importanti hi s-serjeta' u L-KONSISTENZA. Mela, min qed jistampa l-mapep li jinghataw lit-turisti, dawn ghandhom ikunu konsistenti.

H. Galea (NRK)

Jul 30th 2012, 08:29

How childish ! How amateurish ! I thought Malta had TWO official languages. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta ). Whose brilliant idea was it to use ONE ?

Joseph Laus

Jul 30th 2012, 08:24

Mela hekk sewwa ,,,kemm ha nibqaw laqghin,,,,,pajjizi barranin kollha lingwa taghhom juzaw,,,..Ma nippretendiex li jaghmlu signs bil malti pero anqas Ingliiz ma juzaw ..lingwa taghhom biss ,,,allura tippretendu li ahna niktbu bil lingwa battanija ,,,ghallhekk bqajna fejn konna ghax ma nafux napprezzaw ilsielna,

Mr Alex Phillips

Jul 30th 2012, 08:18

Hmmm, let's see. What is Malta's major (if not only) industry? The same industry that employee's directly and indirectly the vast majority of Maltese? Would that be the Tourist industry by any chance? And what do ALL tourists have in common? Maybe a basic understanding of the English language, written and spoken? Look, let's just do what is right for the best interests of all Maltese and have EVERYTHING in English and Maltese. But NEVER in Maltese only. Let's not bite off our nose to spite our face guys!

Timothy Cachia

Jul 30th 2012, 08:17

I agree that these should be in Maltese... if you go to Germany or Italy street signs are not in English.

We are in Malta... our native language is Maltese, then yes street signs should therefore be in Maltese.

Easy... update maps and GPS. :)

Censu Figolli

Jul 30th 2012, 08:13

I usually write in English for the foreign bloggers' sake, but...

Il-Malti huwa ilsien uffiċcjali tal-Unjoni Ewropeja!

Jessica Smith

Jul 30th 2012, 08:09

Hawn qeghdin Malta u kollox ghandu jkun bil-Malti u naqtghu il-mentalita kolonjalista li ghad ghandhom xi Maltin li ma jixirqilhomx jissejhu Maltin. Viva Malta u l-Maltin.

John spiteri

Jul 30th 2012, 08:06

Ask Transport Malta to put the signs on the gigantic roundabouts, then they can put them in all languages.

dieter bulten

Jul 30th 2012, 08:05

Another Fail by Transport Malta...
Well done..
Facepalm .____.

M Saliba

Jul 30th 2012, 07:31

The Maltese named their towns and villages in Maltese. San Ġiljan, Santa Lucia, San Girgor. I cannot see why these have to be translated.

B Attard

Jul 30th 2012, 07:23

Kemm qed insiru pajjiz kumplikat.Jekk xi hadd holom li jpoggi tabelli bil Malti l-ewwel missu rranga l-GPS u l-mapep mhux kollox nofs lehja u bla serjeta ta' xejn.

Jay Oatmon

Jul 30th 2012, 07:12

Either both languages or English only but not Maltese only - simples.

Tony Zammit

Jul 30th 2012, 07:02

Worst yet is a sleeping policemen. OR Zebra crossing. In Malta we don't really have neighter one of them.

Raphael Dingli

Jul 30th 2012, 04:27

Too late now - but if all the guide books and toursit literature stuck to the maltese names there would be no need for a "translation of placenames" . The reality is that if the marketing has been done with english placenames then those names should appear on a sign somewhere.

Sam Cutajar

Jul 30th 2012, 02:30

Prosit lis-Sur Thomas Pace li qed jiġġieled favur ilsien pajjiżu ... jien kull fejn sifirt, ħadd ma tħassarni għaliex ma fhimtx is-sinjali tat-triq għax kienu bil-lingwa tal-pajjiż! Hawn pajjiżi bħall-Greċja, Ċipru u r-Russja li lanqas l-ittri tal-alfabett m'huma bħal tagħna u b'xi mod kelli nsolvi l-problemi waħdi!
Viva l-ilsien Malti u kull sforz li jsir sabiex dan jibqa' ħaj u mitkellem f'pajjiż żgħir bħal tagħna, li iżda huwa mogħni b'kultura u storja rikka u sabiħa.
VIVA MALTA!

Wilfred Camilleri

Jul 30th 2012, 01:59

Why all this hand wringing? Malta has two official languages. All Maltese should be fluent in both: Maltese because it's our language and part of our heritage; English because it gives us an advantage, however small it may be, over many other European nations. Having both languages on road signs is a no brainer and if that gives our tourism industry a bit of an advantage over other European countries, so much the better.

Louis Risso

Jul 30th 2012, 01:37

Please take note and stop confusing the tourists even more, at the end of the short video she refers the sign parrocca as "church". Now we all know that a church in maltese is Knisja and parrocca is Parish.

Lino Busuttil

Jul 30th 2012, 00:58

One mess after the other. TM needs to scrap all existing signage and start afresh.
All Main roads signage are the wrong size, have missing directions/localities, a stark example is the regional road tunnel south direction, no signs before or after to exits to St Julian's or San Gwann etc. same at various forks on many main roads.
Forget Maltese, our roads are international and meant for all drivers irrespective of language, so please stick to English.
The Council of Maltese should better concentrate on those Maltese speaking maltese-English and destroying our Maltese language by passing on their use of incorrect phonetics and vocabulary to their children, and stay out of the road signage culture.

Mr Tony Gatt

Jul 30th 2012, 00:16

Look at it this way- if a tourist gets lost on the way to the airport he or she might spend an extra day or two trying to get off the island. More money for the coffers!

Daniel Diacono

Jul 30th 2012, 00:11

Bhalissa is sinjali tat toroq qeghdin isemmu... din nixtieq nistaqsi jien ... ghaliex meta ccempel certu kumpaniji jew banek iwiegbek l-answering machine u jghidlek if you want to continue in english press 1 jekk tixtieq tkompli bil malti ghafas in numru 2. ghaliex fmalta l-ingliz ghandu jigi qabel il malti ???!!! ghax ahna pajjiz laghqa alekk biss .

Joe Xuereb

Jul 30th 2012, 00:07

@ Anthony Borg (Today, 12:09), Mr. Borg, you must agree though that anthony sultana - sorry! Anthony Sultana (anthony sultana Today, 11:43) - knows his numbers.

What does it take for people to grasp that a language is not only a matter of the number of people who speak it but rather it is an identifier of a people. Does this count for nothing? (especially when one considers that the grasp of English of the average Maltese is nothing to write home about). And this because a true grasp of English (or indeed any language, including Maltese) true proficiency, is an achievement very difficult to attain.

English is indeed spreading - although this is not a fact written in stone; the dominant language could well be yet another language in the future - and an example of this is the Eurovision Song Contest. Time was when each presentation came in the language of the country concerned. It was exciting and felt more genuine, more entertaining for that reason alone. It has now been commercialised to the extent that almost everybody sings in an English of sorts - often with an American twang - and countries like Israel, Azerbaijan and the Ukraine are deemed European for the occasion. Very diluted! To its detriment. Of course Malta would do even worse in such a contest if our ambassador opened his/her mouth in Maltese (how about trying this out next time round and see what happens? What have we got to lose but being near enough towards the end in any case). But no! we persist in sending a Maltese singer - whatever that means - mouthing words in an English of sorts. With never any astounding success, bless 'em! And which brings a popular expression often used in English, very poignant and to the point. One may stoop and pick up nothing. Get it Sultana, sorry! sultana? Passolina w żbieb! (I almost did a rude typo there. Thank goodness most tourists would not have understood. I mean all those weird and wonderful dots and dashes over simple enough letters like in English - what DO they want to do with them?!).


An afterthought! Has it ever occurred to anyone that a country's language is part of the fascination of that country? In particular if it happens to be a small island like Malta. Why do I get the feeling that preferring English over Maltese has such a hold because basically, learning a language (even one's own) is such hard work and the poor lambs are so lazy and unmotivated they will rationalise anything away.



@andreana attard (Today, 18:57). Ms. Attard, I am not sure anyone is disputing the fact that Malta is officially a bilingual nation (I think it is a Constitutional thing). The problem starts when one of the two languages, IN PRACTICAL TERMS, starts to override the other and this has been going on for a long time now. According to some commenters here, they would stop using Maltese altogether. If you want proof of the extent to which the Maltese language has degenerated, all you have to do is to listen to people being interviewed randomly in the street. Or even professional, highly-educated people talking on television, for instance. It is painful and embarrassing, to me at least. There is nothing of the seamless fluency that is the hallmark of other nationals speaking their respective languages. We have to accept that Malta, for historical/political reasons is indeed bilingual. But if this state of affairs is somehow to the detriment of our identity (language is a strong identifier; what else is there? fireworks?), then this needs to be recognised and addressed. Like all things, it is a question of education. It will be a hard nut to crack because once apathy and indifference set in, they are difficult to shift. And hard-headedness is very much a Maltese characteristic, as we all know.

Philip Jackson

Jul 29th 2012, 23:48

its easy enough to work out. That Sliema, The Msida, That Bit Valletta. That there Mdina

Peter Bonnici

Jul 29th 2012, 23:42

And who's idea was it to start referring to Valletta as 'Il-Belt Valletta'? How bombastic!

anthony sultana

Jul 29th 2012, 23:01

The world need one language, so we all can easily communicate with each other,which one we shall use. We go for the strongest one, which is english.The Maltese language is only good to close your eyes and pray.

Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Jul 29th 2012, 22:56

This is Malta. Stop pretending you are English. Any Englishman or woman who cannot read Tas-Sliema for Sliema would be well advised to stay back home. Let's take pride in our language and expect tourists to make some effort as most tourists have to do all over the world!

Thomas Mifsud

Jul 29th 2012, 22:54

Naqbel mija fil-mija li t-tabelli jkunu bil-Malti. U mhux it-tabelli biss, ħafna iktar sitwazzjonijiet għandha tintuża l-lingwa tagħna. L-Ingliz għandu jitneħħa minn lingwa uffiċjali, għandha ssir lingwa sekondarja. Għandna l-ilsien tagħna u kburin bih.

James Dewar

Jul 29th 2012, 22:54

If the new signs are ONLY in Maltese then perhaps TM should be looking for one that illustrates a U TURN and pressing it into action as a matter of extreme urgency. If indeed there is also to be a destination or town name in English as a secondary entry on the sign then there should not be a problem! Are TM trying every trick in the book to cause problems and inconvenience for the travelling public in Malta? Yet another move to disrupt the smooth flow of traffic and cause alarm and consternation to car driving tourists! Or is it a cunning ploy to get them on "Arrivabus"?

Charles Vella

Jul 29th 2012, 22:41

In Germany road signs are ALL in GERMAN, in FRANCE they are all in FRENCH...!! Go to the UK they are all in ENGLISH... And yes, in Malta they should be in MALTESE. Thumbs up for TM - this is our land, our nation, it's Maltese, and Maltese is OUR language. Don't try to change it please!

Also GPS software should be in Maltese too!

On a seperate note when I was in Saudi Arabia last year and drove a Jeep there the signs in ALL the roads are in ARABIC, however had to use a GPS, which isn't so stable there, but managed to get through... Therefore tourists driving on our roads can use a GPS, and will have no problems what so ever.

Well done transport malta for reminding us that WE have our OWN language which should not be hi-jacked by the English language.

Joe Xuereb

Jul 29th 2012, 22:25

@anthony sultana (Today, 09:58). Anthony Sultana, it is acceptable to use capital letters for one's, or indeed, anyone else's name, you know!

I picked your comment out of a bag, randomly, as it was typical. The sad news is that your English is going nowhere fast if your short comment is anything to go by(but you are probably good a texting, of sorts). And of course you are one of those who is quite happy to forget all about your own language because it is useless. Identity is useless, Anthony?! Just food for thought. But I don't think you'll take much notice. It is too much like hard work.

Anthony, I am sorry if you find it difficult to understand this comment in English. I would have written it in Maltese but you would understand that even less I imagine. Oh dear!

Toni Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 22:16

As if any Maltese person needs to know where Belt Valletta is or San Giljan!!!


Whilst its good to have the names in Maltese, let us please not forget the thousands of
tourits that visit us and on whom we depend on for a living.

mark johnson

Jul 29th 2012, 22:09

Be honest, a lot of Malta's charm is the feel of almost everything being done in an amateurish shambles.

Joe Xuereb

Jul 29th 2012, 22:08

The Maltese as a nation are not a particularly literate people, particularly when it comes to their national language. I have often maintained that they need to be exposed more and more to their language, properly written, in public places. It may be too little too late but it is a start.

I travel to any number of countries and the more obscure/exotic the alphabet on shop-fronts, roads, etc. the more I feel I am abroad. I find it very exciting, a kind of challenge. This is the reason why the tourist has phrase books and guide books and maps. Travelling becomes an adventure and not a disgusting home-from-home with no real memories to take back because it has all been laid on for one, the lazy tourist with nothing much to recount.

Some EU countries are compromising and show the local language and English. This is discriminatory. Why not French or German? They too are tourists who understand English as likely as not. What about the rest to whom English is totally alien? Here in London signage is often in a number of languages, not so much for the benefit of tourists but because of an obvious shift in demographics, this wonderful cultural melting-pot that we live with cheek-by-jowl.

Malta was once a colony of the UK but now no more. The prevalence of English at one time was fitting and e expected. This can continue for practical purposes but shorn back to remind the people that they have a strong language of their own; not in theory but in practice. I find, for example, Katidral ta' San Ġwann has more weight than St. John's Co-Cathedral. Many place names are obviously 'Arabic' and tourists of all nationalities manage quite wall. Just imagine the sacrilege if we tampered with place names like Ħaġar Qim and Imnajdra - the very words conjure up mystery and grandeur and sheer age - so as to accommodate the linguistically hopeless. Let us stop being such pandering philistines. These are difficult names but roll off OUR tongues like honey from Mellieħa(except that, judging by the Maltese written by some, the 'q' sound, so quintessentially Maltese, is disappearing, and going the way of so much else. Maybe it is being relegated to history because not European-sounding enough and there is snobbery of sorts in such shallow thinking. Silly, silly people! so unappreciative of the things that really matter. Being so exposed as we are to everything written in English is all very well, enabling us to natter away in that language from the cradle, and perfectly so (I don't think so as it happens but that is a different issue). And all this less than perfect and to the detriment of of one's own language?! Oh dear! I see a people without a true grasp of any language, virtually a voiceless people. And THAT is a terrible indictment when we think of those societies that were forcibly denied their right to self-express in their own language, and that in order to suppress them. And yet we are happy to do this to ourselves. As I said, not a very literate people in ANY language.

There has been a campaign across London since last Summer to get children to read and love books. It has been a great success and still forges ahead. Maybe something similar could be set up in Malta?! And please do not obstruct Il-Kunsill tal-Malti At least they are at last trying to rectify a situation that has become dire.

Alfred Spiteri

Jul 29th 2012, 22:03

Yes i think it's a good to see signs on top Maltese and bottom in English after all we need tourist to come back to Malta and not get lost on our roads the size of the sign will be big enough to accommodate both languages

michael catania

Jul 29th 2012, 21:47

Since we are a two language nation , why not have thes signs both in Maltese and English in that order ie Maltese first.

Gordon Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 21:27

we also should print our maps all in maltese and the GPS software should be compatabile with the signs if not they r useless

Gordon Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 21:24

The signs should be in ENGLISH since its tourists who will be using them.It would be very foolish if a maltese citizen dont know where san giljan is on a 26x9 kms island.Btw we depends on tourists and dont afford to make life more difficult.

Albert Farrugia

Jul 29th 2012, 21:24

...and yet, for all this new wave of usage of Maltese names, the road sign above still proudly declares that there are "Major road works at Dicembru 13"! And not "Xoghlijiet magguri f'Dicembru 13"!!!

Peter Shaw

Jul 29th 2012, 21:19

A pot-holed road by any other name would steel remain bumpy !!!

mark johnson

Jul 29th 2012, 21:10

I have always wondered why letters asking you to attend court are only in Maltese when there are two 'official languages.

Any ideas?

Erik Dressel

Jul 29th 2012, 20:34

Malta is the island of Maltese people. And i think they can have there own maltese road signs. Here in Germany we don´t have road signs in english language (besides airports or train stations). Look around in the EU. e.c. take a car from airport barcelona and find your way to madrid. or from stockholm to oslo.. and in Italy i´ve never found a road sign in English. In France I even could order a dinner in English. and so on. Maltese people can be proud of their own language and i hope that they will always keep it up! I really love the Maltese way!!! kind regards mill Germanja

Colin Attard

Jul 29th 2012, 20:21

Road signs are meant to warn or to direct so if the sign in English is going to reach 99% of the users and the Maltese signs are going to reach anything less, it is pure madness to change them to Maltese. I would rather see our tax money spent in maintaining and up keeping of our road signs for example the electrical illuminated traffic island arrow signs bollards that are installed and never cleaned or maintained, the zebra crossing lollipop lights, that in some places are turning from orange to yellow and in some places to invisible led sign and in other cases are in existent and without any light on pedestrians crossing. Isn’t there any rule about these?

Gianfrancesco Buttigieg

Jul 29th 2012, 20:01

Please - read the article... the new signs shall be BILINGUAL - making this discussion moot.

At any rate, the few exceptions which are in Maltese only will not scare the "most needed English tourist".

I mean - seriously... he won't find his way to the airport because he won't understand that "ajruport" and airport are one and the same (which, by the way, also has a CLEAR PICTOGRAM OF AN AEROPLANE NEXT TO IT) ?

That is an absolutely ludicrous argument - do our tourists get a lobotomy before they come here on holiday? Or are they all four year olds?

Keith Fisher

Jul 29th 2012, 20:00

I have been coming to Malta every year since1968. My father was a sailor in the Malta convoys during the second world war and managed to survive being sunk once or twice. To my good fortune I married into a Gozitan family and have been enjoying my holidays every year since. I look on the idiosyncrasies(spelling may be wrong) of the maltese roads and travel system as an adventure. Every year something different .
My wife and myself look forward to finding our way back to Gozo from the airport wondering which way we will have to go this visit. OK we may take the odd wrong turn but to get lost I don't think so. Who can get lost on a small island. How I wish we could agree to settle here.

N Chetcuti

Jul 29th 2012, 19:52

I haven't heard of a lot of people complaining that the roads in France are in French and in Germany in German. We are the only ones who always find something to moan about. Signs in Malta should be in Maltese. Well done! Please make sure they are written the correct way. I'm sure that tourists would love to know the Maltese name.

Daniel Cassar Alpert

Jul 29th 2012, 19:43

Names of locations do not make any difference to a tourist whether he/she learns it in english or maltese.. its not as if the 'english' version is a word that is used in the english language.. this is not a matter of translation for english speaking tourists to understand but a matter of keeping a name.. what difference would it make if a tourist learns ghawdex instead of gozo? They are both new names for them.. think about it, gozo does not have english names for the villages except for victoria, and tourists manage well..

Shawn Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 19:33

Jien naqbel li s-sinjali tat-traffiku kollha inkluz kull sinjal iehor ghandu jkun bil-Malti mill-banda l-ohra Dipartimenti/ufficcji tal-Gvern ghandhom jibdew jibghatu l-korrispondenzi taghhom lil-Cittadini Maltin bil-Malti u mhux bl-Ingliz..

cesco di luigi

Jul 29th 2012, 19:30

Di tal-lingwa fissazjoni ta xi kumitat imissu telaq ma Dun Karm.. English is the global language...thank God it was given us on a silver platter. I suggest that the Sliema council now starts putting up signs for us residents to point out the promised (4 years ago and several times since) the residential parking spaces..u hallikom mis-signs ghal parocca ta..

simon tabone

Jul 29th 2012, 19:30

i came fron Vietman can we have your signs translated in our mother language thank you

Glenn Pennington

Jul 29th 2012, 19:08

As an Englishman whose grandfather died in Malta in World War 2 serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers, I have visited Malta many times for holidays and to visit his grave in Mtarfa.

Road signs have never been brilliant on the island, so new ones are very welcome. I also think it important to keep the Maltese language and culture to the fore.

Unfortunately unless the signs are bilingual, there is going to be considerable confusion, and the English speaking tourists brave enough to drive will no doubt bear the consequences. Surely it would be better to encourage tourist exploration (boosting car hire and bus use) rather than them staying in a resort because they can't understand the signs?

If you value tourism, why cut your nose off to spite your face ?

andreana attard

Jul 29th 2012, 18:57

We keep forgetting that Malta is a bilingual country and that bilingualism is our heritage. We should be proud of the fact that we are able to speak English. One day in the near future we will be sorry that Maltese was forcefed to the public at the detriment of English. As a teacher I notice that students have a dismal understanding of English. I notice too, that our way of thinking, in general, is very isolated and island-oriented. I'm sorry but I don't like these roadsigns precisely because Maltese is not the only language in our country, English is too.

lou paris

Jul 29th 2012, 18:55

We are doing a big mistake....ALL street names and villages are to be written both in Maltese and English after all english, is an official language I heard tourists complaining in ,cause could nt find a particular place...Look at ITALY AND fRANCE....they are putting street names in english too in some places....Please think of it again and adjust..

Francis Cassar

Jul 29th 2012, 18:54

The issue of language in place names is not only street signs. On some top TV & radio stations they even change the pronunciation of the place names to try to sound English or sophisticated which is pathetic to say the least. There was one establishment advertisng an outlet in "Saila Street" in Bearkirkara. They read Psaila with the "Ps" as in Psalm and Birkirkara with the "Bi" as in "Birmingham". Then there is also "Ettard" for "Attard" and "Boojiba" for "Bugibba". The list is endless. I am not criticising first time tourists or English speakers but announcers and broadcasters on prominent stations who should know better. If I had to pronounce Leicetershire and Worchestershire as they are written I would be ridiculed as an individual let alone if I had to mispronounce them on a prominent U.K. station.

Dave Alan Caruana

Jul 29th 2012, 18:48

"Maltese names, he said, send a clear and immediate message to the tourist that he is in a country with a culture, history and language of its own."

This is where it starts to become barmy .. are road signs a symbol of culture, or something to point you in the right direction? It seems that the first function has become more important than the second ..

Mr robert micallef

Jul 29th 2012, 18:43

when i have interviews, it 10 Maltese apply for a job, 9 will ask for directions after being given the address. No foreigner till now has ever asked for directions. strange eh ?

Tony Scicluna

Jul 29th 2012, 18:37

Road signs should be in Maltese and English. Our constitution difines both languages as our offical
languages. Self explaining.

J.C. Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 18:35

I have said this since the MLP started to make all Street names in Maltese only.

If we really want tourist here all road signs should be both in Maltese and English

Wenzu Fsadni

Jul 29th 2012, 18:35

I have never seen English translations for tourists in Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy....... Update GPS maps and its done.

Brendon Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 18:26

This is Malta and village names should be written in Maltese. If any tourist finds a problem, it is very easy to ask for clarification, unlike France, Spain and other countries, almost everyone in Malta speaks English. It is about time to give prominence to our language.

john muscat

Jul 29th 2012, 18:18

Two years ago I and a friend drove all over Cyprus, and apart that ALL the roads are excellent, the road signs were all in Greek/Turkish and in English which were most helpful. Even the maps were so. Then why not in Malta? Mickey Mouse country.

Mr Peter Korsten

Jul 29th 2012, 18:14

Let's have a big hand for the next nail in the coffin of the Maltese tourist industry.

Fact 1: 99.995% of the world population does NOT speak Maltese.

Fact 2: the Maltese themselves do not need the road signs.

Ergo: the road signs are for those 99.995% of the world population that does not speak Maltese and that are the single greatest source of income for the national economy.

The ability of the Maltese to slaughter the goose with the golden eggs, for the sake of some chauvinistic idea that nobody cares about, never ceases to amaze me.

John Allsop

Jul 29th 2012, 18:07

Only in Malta!!!

Paul Barrett

Jul 29th 2012, 18:07

I personally do not care what language the signs are in but it would help if they were of a size that can be read at speed and placed in a location where they can be read without having to stop and try and read the small print. Signs for roundabouts need to be some two to three hundred meters before a roundabout, not just on the exit roads. The silly no-entry signs for particular times on school days are a real challenge to anyone not living locally and not having a clue when school days are.

I very much agree with the comments that maps etc should actually reflect the same name as the road signs and road names.

Tony Bonello

Jul 29th 2012, 18:06

Whats all this issue about its good to have our roads in Maltese. When I was living in Macedonia for 2 years all the road signs where in Macedonian.

Mr Michael Debono

Jul 29th 2012, 18:04

Does Israel and Arab and some other countries that have an aphabet of their own write the road signs in their own alfabet or do they write also tn the Latin alphabet or even translate the language to make it understandable for foreigners?

roger gant

Jul 29th 2012, 18:03

in the uk we list any number of languages for our friends from all parts of the world,why is malta going back in time.surely this against your visitors human rights as we are now one world,or is malta against modernisation.maybe you should not be in the eu and just exist as a tiny unknown in the med,we all have to change whether you like it on not.
roger gant

brian compton

Jul 29th 2012, 18:03

I dont see the problem yes its a good idea to have the english name underneath but they have been this way for years so just leave them alone...its just a waste of money

J Gauci

Jul 29th 2012, 18:02

I encountered Maltese people that they grumble when they go aboard and find signs in the country's language and not in English. Here we want them in Maltese so that tourists can follow them on a map that it is mainly in English. kemm sirna kbar dan lahhar

Mike Hunt

Jul 29th 2012, 17:56

But seriously ... what's the point? Maltese shouldn't exist as a language other than maybe as a curiosity for a handful of academics with too much time on their hands.

Francis Raeymaekers

Jul 29th 2012, 17:53

The penny (euro cent) has finally dropped. Having read and absorbed all the commentaries I now recognise I was wrong. Maltese road signs must be in Maltese and the Times of Malta should stop publishing in English and convert to Maltese at once! Maltese culture is so strong, who needs money!

Mr Michael Debono

Jul 29th 2012, 17:52

A fiasco by the department that falls under the supremo Dr. A. Gatt. Shall we continie to add to the fiasco of the honorable gentle(?)man

Jeff Zammit

Jul 29th 2012, 17:52

The issue here is to update maps and GPS. Fullstop. Whenever I go abroad I always see dual signs (and it is not always the case), with the mother language first. Stop this colonial attitude.

Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina

Jul 29th 2012, 17:50

@Prositt Sinjuri ta’ l-MTA

Jiena naqbel perfettament li dawn is-sinjali tat-traffiku jkunu bil-Malti bhal ma huma l-ismijiet tat-torq ta’ Malta kollha, ghax dik hi l-ewwel lingwa ufficjali ta’ Malta!

Imbghad iktar u iktar wara li l-lingwa Maltija saret wahda mill-lingwi ufficjali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea!

Jekk ghandu jsir xi arrangement ta’ ‘translation’ g]all finijiet yuristici, ghandu jsir fuq il-materjal stampat li jitqassam u jinbiegh lit-turisti, anzi ghandu jkun b’izjed mill-lingwa wahda, mhux bl-Ingliz biss!

Il-lingwa Maltija skond il-policy tal-gvern prezenti, suppost li qed tintuza hafna aktar, specjalment mid-dipartimenti tal-gvern f’ materjal stampat li jitqassam lill-poplu Malti!

Ejjew lkoll nkunu Maltin li nirrispettaw b’aktar serjeta u impenn l-ilsien sabih ta’ pajjizna!

Michael Shepherd

Jul 29th 2012, 17:50

Mick Shepherd.
MARSASCALA
The road signs in the past ( if you could find one) were small, on the junction & Maltese. That caused accidents because of people slowing down to read them. Now the signs are bigger but still you will get accidents whether they are in double dutch or any language here because everywhere else in the WORLD have ROAD NUMBERS also against the place name you are going to. Malta have none on the signs I have seen. So you will still get accidents because people slowing down to read them. Also All European road signs that are in BLUE are for MOTORWAYS so where are all the motorways !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you & let the best man win.

Joe Azzopardi

Jul 29th 2012, 17:40

Would a tourist find Trevi Fountain or Fontana di Trevi ?
Would you signs leading to Rome or Roma ?
Would a tourist find Our Lady or Notre Dame ?
MTA should make sure that ALL maps are updated, and that's it

Kurt Waschnig

Jul 29th 2012, 17:38

New road signs are only in Maltese.
This is no good news for tourist makers.

Tourism plays a very important role in Malta and therefore a solution should be figured out.

Holiday makers want to enjoy their staying in Malta and would like to know the names of cities and villages.
They do not understand Maltese.

W Cassar

Jul 29th 2012, 17:38

Can anyone tell me who makes these signs in Malta ... is it a public or private entity ? Is it done by tender or does TM use friends of friends ?

S. Zahra

Jul 29th 2012, 17:31

I do not find an issue if road signs are written in Maltese ... but the maps, gps, etc should also be updated and written in Maltese. For a tourist it will not make a difference if a place is named San Giljan instead of St Julians if the maps/gps he is using show the same name.

Victor Laiviera

Jul 29th 2012, 17:27

There is absolutely no need for place-names to be translated. And that was the original mistake - through a colonialist sense of inferiority, we felt that we had to "explain" our place names to the British colonisers.

Place names are just names - the actual meaning of the name is irrelevant and usually just a matter of historical interest.

If I am in London and I need to go to Blackfriars, do I have to know that the name harks back to a Dominican convent to get there? If I want to visit the Pantheon in Rome, do I need to know that it means "a temple to all the gods" to find it?

The only thing that we need to ensure is consistency between the street signs, tourist maps and general information. Other than that, we need not pander to anybody.

Least of all those nostalgic for a dead past.

Jonathan Camilleri

Jul 29th 2012, 17:18

I think tourists need updated maps for their GPS locators as well.

Albert Caligari Conti

Jul 29th 2012, 17:16

Kburi li jien Malti u li ghandi lingwa ta pajjizi, problema li hawn min jahseb li hu bravu bizzejjed li mhux biss irrid jitkellem b'zewg lingwi f'hin wiehed imma issa jaqra ukoll.Inkunu kburin b'dak kollu li hu Malti nies.

m borg

Jul 29th 2012, 17:15

It's like going to China and find a tourist map in Chinese ¬!"£$%^&*()^&*()_^&*( and than you find a Chinese patriot commenting ... proset kunsill nazzjonali tal-ilsien Ciniz lol ! How on earth can you ever attract tourists.

Simon Cassar

Jul 29th 2012, 17:12

L ajruport...and then just beneath it...Freeport!!! why not Port Hieles!? (In Luqa area)

Antonello Iunco

Jul 29th 2012, 17:10

Hello,
I'd like to point out that in Ireland, only the English speaking areas have bilingual signs. The Gaeltacht (Irish speaking regions) has monolingual signs in Irish ONLY. Now, since in Malta everyone speaks Maltese (and, like Ireland, English is a second language) I find it only right to use the national language, which is Maltese. Bilingual signs in places like Ireland or Wales are there because most of the resident population (not the tourists) doesn't speak Welsh, Irish or Scots Gaelic.

Vincent Scerri

Jul 29th 2012, 17:07

One thing that I won't go to Bulgaria again is the fact that all road directions are in Bulgarian. And to top it all very few locals speak English.

Abigail Spiteri

Jul 29th 2012, 17:06

excuse me .. but whenever you travel in foreign countries the road signs are ALWAYS in the foreign countries language why should we 'sacrifice' our language and the names of our places just for tourists' sake? In addition I always manage to find my way around the place without knowing the language. So really all this fuss is for nothing.

M Saliba

Jul 29th 2012, 17:02

In every European country street signs are written in the local language. Why should Malta be the exception?

Jimmy Magro

Jul 29th 2012, 17:02

When the Taliban took over Afghanistan the world went into shock.

When one reads such articles, the conclusion is that Malta has become a Taliban country too. There is no need to be extreme fundamentalist about our language. Our position is different than other countries as our language is only known in Malta, English is also an official language, and we depend on our tourism and foreign technology/software.

When I go to a country with only the national language, I always say that this country is not tourist friendly and that they do not respect their tourists.

In Malta w have the advantage that most of the Maltese can speak both languages and hence this expensive excercise is a money wasting initiative. The Maltese language will not win anything by putting road signs in Maltese. Neither has Maltese won anything by making the articles with the names of our localities.

We are too small to be a fundamentalist taliban country. We are proud to have Maltese but we cannot take it to the extremes.

Francis Farrugia

Jul 29th 2012, 16:59

Hafna turisti li qeghdin jigu Malta u jikru il-karozzi qeghdin igibu ukoll il-GPS maghhom. Ghalhekk irridu noqghodu attenti ukoll li jew jigu rrangati l-ismijiet fuq il-mappep tal-GPS jew vici vers. Fir-rapport hemm miktub li is-sinjali il-godda ser ikunu kbar biz-zejjed biex f`xi kazi jitnizzlu z-zewg ismijiet. Nispera li dawn is-sinjali li ser ikunu kbar ma jitwahhlux fil-baxx f`xi salib it-toroq u ahna ix-xufiera ma nkunux nistghu naraw min gej mit-triq l-ohra.

VINCENT WILLIAMS

Jul 29th 2012, 16:58

Are the names of the streets in Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain and in any other country in the local language and in English at the same time ?

charles flores

Jul 29th 2012, 16:58

Well done, Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti! The idea of using bilingual signs where the Maltese version varies from the English one makes a lot of sense, however. It is practical and still gives due respect to the National Language. A quick look at your own pictures will confirm that any tourist who is not an imbecile will understand most of what is written. Until the English version is included, one need only ask. Happily, most Maltese would be willing to offer help.....

Claire Boffa

Jul 29th 2012, 16:55

I think a lot of people do a lot of fuss out of nothing..... when I travel, all signs are not in english and I still manage to find my way around. Also one must keep in mind that signs have the code signs (like an airoplane and ship) on purpose. I would suggest that we change the information on the maps rather than change the road signs....... People must realise that they are in Malta.... and we should be proude of our language.

Brian Mifsud

Jul 29th 2012, 16:55

Is-solto nofs xoghol!!!
Naqbel li ghandhom ikunu bil-Malti, imma ghandhom ikollhom ukoll translation.
Nghidu kif inhi, hafna Maltin l-anqas biss ghandhom bzonnhom, u l-aktar li juzawhom huma it-turisti, allura ma naghmlux translation ghal dawn.

Ghalija din bicca xoghol ohra nofs kedda.

Victor Pulis

Jul 29th 2012, 16:54

When tourists arrive by air they most probably come in on an AIR MALTA plane. Why not AJRU MALTA?! When they visit Gozo...sorry Ghawdex they make the trip on a GOZO CHANNEL ferry. Why not FLIEGU GHAWDEX ferry?! Kunsill please take note!

Alex Falzon

Jul 29th 2012, 16:53

That should stay in Maltese Language... no country in the world would translate road signs in Maltese....

carmel cassar

Jul 29th 2012, 16:52

It is like a restorant were waiters speak only Maltese.

Keith Azzopardi

Jul 29th 2012, 16:51

Bi stampa ta' knisja ħdejn l-isem, kif tista' ma tindunax li l-isem jirreferi għal knisja!? Fil-mapep ikun hemm dik li tissejjaħ "legend" ... duh!

Ivan Visanich

Jul 29th 2012, 16:50

Usual bla bla bla ... 129 comments ( 130 with this one ) for such nonsense ... It's quite simple,when you go to Italy the signage is just in Italian , went to Czech republic all was in Czech .. however English seems to be coming the second language of most countries so most people especially those working in the tourism sector are grasping the concept of speaking basic English,unlike most Maltese especially taxi drivers,which I am quite baffled how they get the TM tag as they would scratch their heads if they were given the simplest Peter and Jane text book to read let alone speak basic English.Anyway,we are in Malta,signs should be in Maltese and so should most everything else.We speak in the European parliament in Maltese as we're so proud of the lingo and all this nonsense because the sign reads Rahal il-gdid rther than Paola !!! . Car GPS's are bi lingual nowadays and maps are becoming thing of the past .. With all due respect placing a sign just outside the airport that indicates which way Gozo is is quite useless.Most probably,just as much as I do in advance prior to going overseas,those seeking to go on holiday alone pre set their destinations on the GPS so they would have no problem once they get into that particular country and anyway most of us Maltese are quite helpful,we always seem to help tourists when they ask for any particular destination or whatever so all this petty nonsense about if Gozo should be written Ghawdex or Gozo is plain nonsense.Punto e basta.

Marco Meli

Jul 29th 2012, 16:48

Paprata ohra min transport malta!!! Mhux bizzejjed ghamlu fiasco bit transport publiku, din jonqos issa. Ghal naqa misshom irangaw isimhom ukoll al malti ie: trasport malti

Keith Azzopardi

Jul 29th 2012, 16:48

Tidhru li ma qrajtux l-artiklu kollu; dawk minnkom li qrawh, jafu li fejn l-ismijiet mill-Malti għall-Ingliż huma totalment differenti, skont il-kuntratt il-ġdid se jsiru biż-żewġt ilsna, fuq suġġeriment tal-Kunsill stess...

John de Giorgio

Jul 29th 2012, 16:38

The number of tourists that visit Malta is more than 3 times the local population and tourists certainly need road signs more than the locals. Clearly Maltese signs should be accompanied by English names where these are different.

While on this subject however, at least up until last week, the newly built road coming up from Marsa approaching the airport does not have any signs at all, in either language, to guide people to turn left to the airport.

Gilbert Formosa

Jul 29th 2012, 16:38

I'm all for the use of maltese language on road signs however they should be bilingual. same system as wales....the english version with 8 letters and the welsh with 40 :)

henry caruana

Jul 29th 2012, 16:37

Council policy is totally wrong on bilingual signs
No where in the world one find streeta names / signs in MALTESE or other language than the
country itself.
All parts and institutions in MALTA should been in MALTESE since the KNIGHTS / LAVALETTE
arrived on our island
Any foreigner through spelling can make out his / her destination

Fabian Gaffiero

Jul 29th 2012, 16:32

Do the French bother to translate: http://opentype.info/blog/2008/09/14/traffic-sign-typefaces-france/ ... NO
Do the Germans bother: http://www.swarco.com/dambach-en/References/Traffic-technology/A20-OU-Hamburg-TS-Geschendorf-Lübeck,-Germany,-Hamburg-LBV-SH-NL-Lübeck ... NO
Do the Belgians bother: http://www.mattigronroos.fi/~kf7797/Tiet/eng/66Virrat.jpg ... NO
The list goes on...

What exactly is the point of this article? Why should the signs be translated in english? The EU has lots of languages so why should one be preferred over the others? Should translations for all languages be made on traffic signs in order not to discriminate? The signs throughout all the EU have always been in the country's home language wherever you go, so why all this much ado about nothing?

Malcolm Farrugia

Jul 29th 2012, 16:30

Another Transport Malta fiasco, piloted by none other than the infamous Austin Gatt (pun intended)!

George Calleja

Jul 29th 2012, 16:28

Veru pajjiz il-gemgiema!!! F'hafna pajjizi kull sinjal huwa bil-lingwa tal-pajjiz. Ghaliex irridu nkunu differenti? Tghid ghax hawn hafna tal-pepe li jitkazaw jaraw sinjali bil-Malti?

Alfred Grech

Jul 29th 2012, 16:27

In Malaysia all streets signs are in English and not in Malay or Chinese.

Mr Pace, Maltese names are being changed - no more Zeppi, Karmnu u Cikka. Your council should concentrate on how the language is written but I disagree completely with your desire to see street name in Maltese and will condemn MT if they follow your advice. Use common sense and stop being fanatic which you seem to mix with patriotism.

Anthony Mizzi

Jul 29th 2012, 16:26

But they are for the locals who live all the year round in Malta!

Are the Maltese becoming second class citizens in their own country?

Albert Farrugia

Jul 29th 2012, 16:26

In this banana republic of ours not even the Authorities are aware that we have a Constitution, and this Constitution defines Maltese and English as official languages. ALL official signs should be in BOTH Maltese and English. And this should have been the situation since decades. The argument is not that tourists can understand the signs or not. The problem is a lack of language policy. Almost 50 years as a nation and we are still not clear on what language to use when. Walk along any street in any town and village in Malta and shop signs are always exclusively in English. Then look at the street names and they are excluseively in Maltese. In a perfect bi-lingual place, like for example Brussels, or the Alto Adige region, ALL signs are in BOTH the official languages.

A Spiteri

Jul 29th 2012, 16:25

just last week a family who have just arrived in malta stopped me at the luqa roundabout asking me for directions to gozo. of course i couldn't give them all directions since it was still far away, so i simply tell them to follow the directions to the place called Ghawdex as jsust in front of us there was one of these new signs. they told me that, that is what all they needed!

now, i don't mind helping tourists, not at all, but shouldn't we make it more easier for them to enjoy their holiday in malta, especially when considering the importance of tourism for our country's economy?!

Chris Gatt

Jul 29th 2012, 16:21

"Mr Pace said this was due to road sign tenders that had been issued before the bilingual decision was taken."#Perhaps Mr Pace and his incompetent board should have took decision before ordering the signage changes in the first place. And who will pay for the new signs, the Academy or us? And let us not forget the Academy's ever changing rules on Maltese orthography which are making school books redundant even before they land in pupil's hands.

Steve Zammit

Jul 29th 2012, 16:18

When I went to Spain, signs were just in Spanish and Catalonian

Whats wrong with signs in Maltese in Malta?

Andrea Seychell

Jul 29th 2012, 16:13

In Italy all road signs are in ITALIAN why don't we can have our language being on the signs????? We are proud of our language!!!

Philip Abela

Jul 29th 2012, 16:10

Regardless of the language used, road signs on these islands are very inconsistent and badly placed, tourists ask me whether their destination is signposted I'be lying if I said yes.

Having road signs in Maltese is all well and good after all we should be proud of our language, however when there are English Translations of Places Such Ghaxdex and Gozo we must use both languages exactly like Ireland

J. Camilleri

Jul 29th 2012, 16:02

It's Time to Grow up, put some sense in our mind and start to see whats right and wrong..... In such a country Bilingualism is ESSENTIAL!!!!

Fab Grima

Jul 29th 2012, 15:57

jien naqbel li ghandhom ikunu bil malti ,pero iridu niktbuhom kullimkien bil malti anke fl informazjoni ta turisti u mapep......nghid jien isa imagina sign bil malti u bl ingliz.......flok sign ikolna namlu billboards .

Adrian Pace

Jul 29th 2012, 15:53

Malta tal-Maltin u mhux tat-Turisiti. Ghandna lingwa taghna....haga li hafna pajjizi kbar jixtiequ biss li ghandhom. Ejja naprezzaw xi haga li hi taghna mhux nilaqu lil barrani li gie ha li ried u telaq l'hinn.

Keith Muscat

Jul 29th 2012, 15:48

Prosit Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti!

Francis Raeymaekers

Jul 29th 2012, 15:45

Malta Transport in its infinite wisdom has taken upon itself to promote Maltese Culture by imposing Maltese language road signs. This has provoked an incredible response in comments (105 at time of writing) all in English. They seem to divide into two groups, "Islanders" who appear to be content to communicate with each other in the local language of a country that is a few miles long by a fewer miles wide and another group that are concerned with communicating with a wider world. I have read them all and somehow they don't seem to divide along the traditional Maltese lines: the feudal tribes of PN and PL. In the same newspaper there is an article by John Portelli with the caption: "English is the world's lingua franca". So I wondered if the mirror image of this discussion might be the George Cross on the Maltese flag? A few months ago, it also created much comment and again not along the traditional feudal PN/PL lines. I'm not convinced. So what exactly is Maltese culture? Are the islands of Malta (including Comino and "Għawdex") (Funny, the Times of Malta spell check underlines Ghawdex in red: spelling mistake...) like Iceland which has a reasonably pure Viking culture? Is there a pure Maltese culture?
As an economist and historian, I scan back through the pages of history and find that the most recent villains were the British. And yet, this whole debate is happening in English. Before the Brits came the French. Their welcome lasted three months though they did hang on to Valletta and a few forts for 2 years. Undeniably, they left their imprint on Malta: the "Code Napoleon" which many Maltese friends continually tell me has blighted this island for the last 210 years. Scan back again and we arrive at the Knights. Some refer to them as religious storm troopers other, as noble pirates and mercenaries. Whichever side one takes, undeniably, they came from all corners of Christian Europe, not Malta. So we need to scan back where we find the Normans (who originated from the Vikings which neatly links Malta to Iceland's culture... And before the Normans, the Saracens and the Ottomans, the Semitic strain that still forms part of Maltese culture and traditions intermingled with St Paul and Christianity. Turn the clock back another 3000 years and you come to the temples, built by Maltese hunter/gatherers who may in turn have come from Sicily. Wonders of the world then, wonders of the world now. So what is Maltese culture? Obviously it is not language. It is a wonderful melting pot that hallmarks all the great cultures of the world. Great cultures evolve by communicating and absorbing the best of other cultures. Malta is a 5500 year old cultural laboratory in a very small space. Road signs in Maltese spell the beginning of the end for that laboratory. The "little islanders" will win and the jobs and culture will go.

Mr Edward Caruana Galizia

Jul 29th 2012, 15:42

What a load of rubbish. Tourists aren't stupid. Plus, this reporter seems to assume that the only turists are English. What about all those other tourists that don't speak English?

When I used to teach English to foreigners they used to be confused as to why everything was in English. I agree. This is Malta, they should be in Maltese.

I am sure tourists can make their way around without any real trouble. Worst case scenario they ask for directions.

J. Pace

Jul 29th 2012, 15:42

Tghaffiga ohra mit-TM - welldone.

Imbghad tmur fis-site ta VisitMalta u ssib kollox bl-ingliz u Ghawdex ezempju huwa miktub Gozo. U flok nghinu t-turist nkomplu nharbtuh halli ma jergax jigi Malta. Prosit hafna.

U sa fejn naf jien, tabelli qedin biex tasal minn post ghal l-iehor, mux biex tghid lit-turist li wasal pajjiz iehor.

Issa la ghaffigtu, araw kif ha tghamlu u ohorgu mapep bil malti, bidlu googlemaps, gps devices etc.

Reuben D. Spiteri

Jul 29th 2012, 15:41

I WOULD suggest having LED signs that switch between the two languages, but then again we all know how long hi-tech ideas would be left in place don't we?

Reuben D. Spiteri

Jul 29th 2012, 15:37

While I have no objection to dual-language signs, if a tourist has comes to a new country without a good tourist guide, map, or GPS nowadays he's kinda asking for trouble. This should be true even if they come with a tour operator.

Dr Alex Bugeja

Jul 29th 2012, 15:35

"“While, for obvious reasons related to our past, road signage in Malta has always been in a foreign language, we believe it’s high time the national language takes precedence, as is common practice in many European countries,” said Thomas Pace, the council’s executive director.

Maltese names, he said, send a clear and immediate message to the tourist that he is in a country with a culture, history and language of its own."


...unfortunately Mr Pace we will not have an economy of our own without tourists.

I was in China earlier this year and I was very aware of the immense culture and history that surrounded me. I don't think the road signs in English besides Chinese in Beijing and Shanghai detracted from that at all. On the contrary, they allowed me to explore better and soak even more culture and history in.

VERY shortsighted.

anthony sultana

Jul 29th 2012, 15:33

We must not compare Malta with other countries, but we must do what is good for us, english should be our first language, go to school in other country like I did and you will find out how much useful is the Maltese language.

Francis Cassar

Jul 29th 2012, 15:30

In Floriana near the war memorial there is a sign to "Beltissebh". If I am not mistaken and I stand to be corrected "Beltisebh" was abolished in the 1990s and one of the main departments namely Inland Revenue reverted to "Floriana". Even some streets in the area were given a name and some departments now use the new street name and Floriana as their address. However at least one department namely the NGO office is using "Beltissebh".
Does Beltisisebh still exisit? If it exisits than it's O.K. the sign should stay. If not it should be corrected.

D Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 15:30

How much are these people paid?

When will they be sacked?

If not, when will the Chairperson resign?

If not, when will the politician who appointed him resign?

R. Cilia

Jul 29th 2012, 15:29

Jista' jkun li dawk li ghandhom il-kuntratt biex iwahhlu t-tabelli fit-toroq m'humiex jaqiluha tajjeb allura xi hadd gietu l-ideja li jaghtihom palata!

Silvio Mizzi

Jul 29th 2012, 15:28

no updates for vistors in malta GPS Road Map transport Malta ????

Celine Grech

Jul 29th 2012, 14:45

One thing that they need to get right is the signage to the Hospital. On a visit to Malta last year, we had to visit a relative in hospital. We were driving a hired car and had an idea how to get there but most of the signs indicated "Mater Dei" and many of the signs did not have the accompanying "hospital cross" symbol. These definitely need to be corrected as most visitors would not know that "Mater Dei" is the General Hospital (unless they read The Times of Malta obviously!)

Sarah Grech (Zebbug)

Jul 29th 2012, 14:42

Why does everything have to be an issue on this blessed island?

Isn't it obvious that the signs have to be in both languages? How do we expect tourists to know that Ghawdex is the same as Gozo?

Imma min huma dawn in-nies li qed johorgu b'dawn l-ideat u jithallsu l-eluf kbar mit-taxxi taghna ghalihom?

Xi dwejjaq ta nies.

Daniel Ablett

Jul 29th 2012, 14:38

Sorry ta ima ahna maltin u ekk andom ikunu , alura natu kas ikun emm malti tfixxkell dan ghaliex mandux jifhem hu biex jifhem barrani , ax meta jeqilbu l ismijiet al ingliz xejn ma jkunu jamlu sens kemm il darba. Nejd alija jien meta siffirt barra dejjem bil lingwi tahom kinu it tabelli alura tana ekk andom ikunu mux geja titkellem bl ingliz dik li et tamel video , mandi xejn kontra min jitkellem ekk ima andi nifem li jekk et nitkellem ma malti inkelmmu bil malti u barrani inkelmu bl ingliz aliex le !! Injoranza assoluta !!

Mark Anthony Fenech

Jul 29th 2012, 14:22

The most sensible way is to have road signs in Maltese and English. End of story.

John Scerri

Jul 29th 2012, 14:21

Malta has 2 official languages.... so why the hassle.
Over here in many places, even in Ontario, signs are both in English and French.
I remember all the names of streets in Malta were in both English and Maltese way back in my time at least!

James Tyrrell

Jul 29th 2012, 14:06

Oh well done Transport Malta. Not content with screwing up the bus system you are now going to screw up the traffic signs. How do these idiots actually get jobs?

George Abdilla

Jul 29th 2012, 13:58

Since when are proper names translated? our places names and roads are in MALTESE, so yes signs should be in MALTESE. Translation only serves to makes havoc or road names act. a case in point - Triq il Kahli in San Pawl il-Bahar - is often translated becoming Blacktail Street? can someone of you here explain if this is the same as triq il Kahli?

These names as placed by TM are not a blunder, the blunder is trying to translate proper names. if you have a map in your hand and it says XYZ, its xyz in any language as its a PROPER NAME!

Mike Shortino

Jul 29th 2012, 13:55

Do people still use road signs? Don't all smartphones have GPS?

Anne Farrugia

Jul 29th 2012, 13:50

How about starting to getting all the heads of the departments concerned screwed on properly! THEN some, maybe just maybe, conclusion might be reached. However, I am of the opinion to have them in both languages...to try and please everyone. But I'd remove the Hal etc from infront of the village name. That's my opinion! Enjoy your heat & have a lovely day getting lost in those roads full of pot holes!

Sue De Nym

Jul 29th 2012, 13:48

Whilst I have my utmost respect towards my native language, I can't see the point of switching to Maltese signage.

I have yet to meet a printed map showing towns/villages and streets in Maltese, so why the change? Is Malta promoted in Maltese, on the web or otherwise, internationally?

English is after all our second language, and is also widely spoken across the world, so I cannot see what the fuss is all about. A simple solution would be to print signs BOTH in Maltese and English.

Peter Bond

Jul 29th 2012, 13:26

So, Mr Pace, a road sign is to "send a clear and immediate message to the tourist that he is in a country with a culture, history and language of its own".

And I thought it was to inidcate how to get somewhere.

Ray de Bono

Jul 29th 2012, 13:15

Thomas Pace mentions only tourists. Well, with all due respect, Malta is home to a growing number of expats, thousands of fellow EU citizens, besides tourists, of course, and these people are 'lured' to our shores exactly because we speak English, amongst other things.  Our blind, 'colonialist' so-called "patriotic" drive to impose the Maltese vernacular (which is spoken, yet seldom written-with locally, by some but not all locals) is counter-productive. This is a bilingual country, and if a tender was issued as stated, with limited space for both OUR national languages to be featured, then  it should be rectified not allowed to go ahead; what sort of planning is this? What about the maps already in use? What about GPS's? What aboyt business? Education? Why are certain authorities trusting 'intellectuals' and 'linguists' with such sensitive issues, undermining (& potentially jeopardising) economic progress, huge financial commitments by local & international investors - simply to impose their narrow minded, short sighted linguistic agendas? For God's sake will the Ministries for Tourism and for Finance kindly take note of this blunder and rectify it?

Alfred Grech

Jul 29th 2012, 13:13

I understand the Maltese council's concern but for goodness sake, let's be practical and logical. I love my Maltese language but since we're dealing with foregners when it comes to street signs, they should be posted in English. Let's eliminate fanaticism - we have enough of it in politics and in our parishes.

Mary Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 13:06

I huess it would be more economical to start printing maps in Maltese in the first place. No one who lives in the south says he is going to Paola, Vittoriosa, Cospicua, Senglea, Valletta or Floriana but to Raħal Ġdid, Birgu, Bormla, Isla, il-Belt and Furjana. When I am abroad, I like to get to know the native names and try to learn their pronunciation. Most tourists also don't mind to be corrected when pronouncing Marsaxlokk or Tarxien due to the tricky 'x'. While visiting Wales, it took me a couple of minutes to realise that Caerdydd was in fact Cardiff but it was part of the fun. After all when you travel, you want to get to know about the place as much as possible. There is always a reason behind every town's name so we might as well expose them to those too.

Alfred Grech

Jul 29th 2012, 13:03

Who cares what most countries do. Everyone who drives can speak English and there are many tourists roaming around and the signs should be in English and please, don't add Haz-Zabbar but just Zabbar, etc.

Franco Vella

Jul 29th 2012, 13:00

But the Maltese council is standing its ground.
“While, for obvious reasons related to our past, road signage in Malta has always been in a foreign language, we believe it’s high time the national language takes precedence, as is common practice in many European countries,” said Thomas Pace, the council’s executive director.

Excuse me Mr Pace, the national language should always take precedence, but if memory serves me correctly, English is our second language and therefore common sense dictates that the both (where necessary) should be used for clarification. Unless common sense is not so common.

Paul Ostafiehyk

Jul 29th 2012, 12:58

If you are backing the very sensible Irish system why are you spending money on inappropriate signs which will be changed very soon. The only people to benefit are the sign makers and the people employed to issue tenders.

Ray de Bono

Jul 29th 2012, 12:52

Thomas Pace mentions only tourists. Well, with all due respect, Malta is home to a growing number of expats, thousands of fellow EU citizens, besides tourists, of course, and these people are 'lured' to our shores exactly because we speak English, amongst other things.  Our blind, 'colonialist-like' so-called "patriotic" drive to impose the Maltese vernacular (which is spoken, yet seldom written-with locally, by some but not all locals) is counter-productive. This is a bilingual country, and if a tender was issued as stated, with limited space for both OUR national languages to be featured, then  it should be rectified not allowed to go ahead; what sort of planning is this? What about the maps already in use? What about GPS's? What about business? Why are certain authorities trusting 'intellectuals' and 'linguists' with such sensitive issues, undermining (& potentially jeopardising) economic progress, huge financial commitments by local & international investors - simply to impose their narrow minded, short sighted linguistic agendas? For God's sake will the Ministries for Tourism and for Finance kindly take note of this blunder and rectify it?

alessia costanzo

Jul 29th 2012, 12:31

I went to a lot of places starting to cyprus and there were no english road signs but only in their language which to us are symbols not letters ! so if the tourists then are lost they ask to us like they always do and we do in other countries.such a simple thing and stop all this fuss about !

anthony sultana

Jul 29th 2012, 12:29

The signs must be in english,we the locals don"t need signs, we now our streets blind folded. People keep forgeting that we live on a tiny rock in the middle of a sea.

daniel muscat

Jul 29th 2012, 12:25

at last, maltese language in maltese island. very good job who came out with this idea. i work abroad and all the signs are in thier native languages. some of them have also english with them. but malta is special..... only english labels were to be seen. finally something maltese for malta. agian i say good job done here hope to see more like this

ANTHONY PAVIA

Jul 29th 2012, 12:21

Blunder par excellance! Next bright TM move is to transform the already dangerously stupid single lanes, prevalent all over, into bicycle lanes and force everyone onto two wheels.

G Falzon

Jul 29th 2012, 12:08

Most countries use ONLY their own native language for road signs, even when their alphabet is not Roman. Why not Malta too?

http://www.google.com.mt/imgres?q=greek+road+signs&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1024&bih=594&tbm=isch&tbnid=ehi1NfWe5ovdOM:&imgrefurl=http://www.mousetourstravels.com/international-road-signs.html&docid=bcoZUwgRvsbDTM&imgurl=http://www.mousetourstravels.com/images/sign-greek-to-me.jpg&w=262&h=416&ei=oAkVUL77CNGQ4gSbxYGwCw&zoom=1

http://www.google.com.mt/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Road_signs_bilingual_Breton_in_Quimper.jpg&imgrefurl=http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Road_signs_bilingual_Breton_in_Quimper.jpg&h=1120&w=1037&sz=742&tbnid=Ic7jEQHqu-F51M:&tbnh=91&tbnw=84&prev=/search%3Fq%3DFrench%2Broad%2Bsigns%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=French+road+signs&usg=__V828X5mM_1KKfq5dNlB9GwGXdso=&docid=CVUetY06ibwSZM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RwsVUKbGMO_P4QT21oGICA&ved=0CGcQ9QEwBQ&dur=0

http://www.google.com.mt/imgres?imgurl=http://www.davidgoodwin.net/albums/album30/DSCF1565.sized.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.davidgoodwin.net/myphotos/album30/DSCF1565&h=480&w=640&sz=95&tbnid=EgtyJpjy1AYt2M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&prev=/search%3Fq%3DRussian%2Broad%2Bsigns%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=Russian+road+signs&usg=__Ku1iTTgIGb2Rzw4yviXhQqj4BV0=&docid=CF8IOmmo4quKZM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gAsVUKrQIujk4QTnu4Eg&ved=0CFgQ9QEwAA&dur=16

Ramon Casha

Jul 29th 2012, 12:05

I don't see any lobbying in the US to change the name of LA to "The Angels". Nor do they seem to find any difficulty getting to places like Marsaxlokk. In fact, the vast majority of Maltese place names exists in only one language - Maltese - and you see tourists happily flocking there. If we call a place San Ġiljan, they will call it San Ġiljan. Perhaps there could have been better coordination with MTA to ensure that information material mentions the Maltese names, but as a stop-gap solution one could always hand all arriving tourists a little card saying that a dozen or so places will be found written so.

william cauchi

Jul 29th 2012, 12:03

For most Maltese, we don't really need these signs because we know the way by heart, even blindfolded. After all we are so small that you could fit 10 Maltas in one Paris.

Mostly the tourist would need these signs and what do we do, we try to make it as difficult for him as possible. This will end up increasing our traffic flow problems even further, because most tourists would have to pause in front of these signs to try to interpret what our enlightened traffic ''experts'' have scribbled on these signs in our dear language which even a large proportion have difficulty to understand, let alone the tourist. Proset eh.

Victor Pulis

Jul 29th 2012, 12:02

Transport Malta strikes again! Just when you think the experts at TM have reached the bottom of absurdity they come up with yet another stupidity to surprise us!

'several signs do not follow this: The Sunday Times has come across some indicating Raħal Ġdid, Għawdex, San Ġiljan and San Pawl il-Baħar without the English translation.
Mr (Thomas)Pace said this was due to road sign tenders that had been issued before the bilingual decision was taken."
Shows the amount of planning and common sense prevalent at TM! This will mean tax payers' money down the drainbecause these new signs will have to be replaced.

Did we have to wait for Ireland to come up with this idea of multilingual signs?! It's logical dear TM experts. If we depend on foreign tourists we cannot afford to be fanatical (as opposed to patriotic) about our beautiful language.We need to be practical.
Meanwhile keep on paying dear taxpayer for the blunders of the so called experts.

Hans Weber

Jul 29th 2012, 11:50

In the Netherlands some signs are in 5 languages. beat that Malta.

Louise Zammit

Jul 29th 2012, 11:47

When you go to other countries their signs are in their language. So what is wrong in having the the signs in Maltese, which is the real language here. At least the letters are in english style. Not like Russia or China, where they have different letters.

M Sciberras

Jul 29th 2012, 11:46

Completely daft. And it is not true that in other countries only the local language is used. Even in places like Thailand or Greece or Czech republic, where the alphabet is different, the main road signs have English translations. And in malta we are of course unique (naturally) because I ve never seen a country with so many places and towns having two totally different names used concurrently, regardless of language. For me Paola is a Maltese name, just as much as is Rahal il-Gdid. Who on earth has decided that Paola is now 'English' or that Vittoriosa is English???? And I do not not need Mr Pace and his road signs to feel more 'confidently European' and 'unambiguously Maltese' 'in the future'. I am comfortable and condident with how I feel right now, thank you very much, plain Maltese. I do not need a road sign to remind me I am in Europe. I think it is Mr Pace and his sort who have inferiority complex issues. Maybe they find the fact that we speak a Semitic language confusing????? I don't and neither do young Maltese people. Mr Pace's thinking betrays the legacy of colonialism more than it does any need to 'protect' Maltese and engender our 'Malteseness'. Maltese is and has always been and always will be alive and kicking - it is our rapidly deteriorating standards in English, a language which is as vital for our economy, culture and education as is Maltese that we should be concerned about.

Peadar Farrell

Jul 29th 2012, 11:44

I saw this argued out over the last 50 years in Ireland. When you think over all the points you realise that in general:

Locals know where they are going but Tourist do not.

Therefore mostly tourists use roadsigns.
To have all maps in one language and road signs in another is like a joke a comedian would tell.

The correct procedure is all signs in Maltese with English below as in Ireland.

Kieron O'connor

Jul 29th 2012, 11:43

Most countries are trying to entice tourists to come, while Malta continues its journey to find as many ways as possible to put tourists off returning or giving positive reviews to there friends who might come.
No prices displayed on goods, the special tourist rip off price when you query the price, discriminatory public transport prices, and now road signs the tourist cant read...what next?

anthony sultana

Jul 29th 2012, 11:43

There is over one billion 1,000,000,000. people in the world that speak english, and there is another 1000000000 wish they can speak english.There is 400,000 people that speak maltese,most of them they prefare the english lanuage., like dose once they comment in english, and have english friends.

mark johnson

Jul 29th 2012, 11:33

If any political party promises to sack everyone at TM and replace them with people of at least average IQ, I will guarantee them my vote.

C. Bonnici

Jul 29th 2012, 11:28

Well, it seems that the Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti's policy is quite sensible. So we'd have to just wait until all signs are replaced. May I also suggest translations of tourist Maps? And signs on any maps for sale, to indicate that they follow bi-lingual standards?

Oh, and I don't quite understand why this article's video (1) is in English, and (2) does not interview any tourists... Many claims are made, but well, most are unsubstantiated. E.g. It's not difficult to also argue that San Giljan and St Julians are similar enough not to cause any confusion.

Moreover, the article makes heavy reliance on the importance of tourism in Malta. Well, quite frankly, I don't think (or hope) that tourism will be at the core of the Maltese economy. So, tourism stakeholders should invest in other things. E.g. why not code an iPhone app that enables tourists to take pictures of road signs, which would be translated to English, German, Italian, etc. etc.? This would probably add some cultural value for all.

M Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 11:16

Do stop this nonsense. It is because of this that today's youngsters cannot speak English.Stop trying to remove English , we would be isolated without it.

We all know that we are Maltese and I am sure that all tourists when in Malta know that they are in Malta. So do they really need road signs in Maltese to make them aware of this?

What a load of rubbish!

Joe Julian Farrugia

Jul 29th 2012, 11:12

Is this truly a problem with the tourists... or with "certain" Maltese?

Isola Danti

Jul 29th 2012, 11:00

While there are so many pressing matters that need to be tackled efficiently and effectively, TM has to come up with another senseless move. From designing the bad Arriva bus routes/timetable to checking hidden vulgar meanings on number plates (a classic laughing stock), the incompetence of this department never ceases to amaze. Time for the reform.

Francis Raeymaekers

Jul 29th 2012, 10:59

I always thought there were two official languages in Malta. Maltese and English. If this is not the case, parliament should pass a bill amending this situation to declare Maltese to be the sole official language of Malta. Tricky, in view of the fact that the economy relies on not only tourism for 30% of its GDP but increasingly on overseas inward investment in financial services, insurance, banking, construction, etc. By the time you add it all up, this represents over 60% of the economy and a great deal of employment which explains why Malta has survived relatively unscathed so far from the economic turmoil that surrounds it. But it is far from over and can change rapidly.
It is amusing to think that if the Nationalist Party and Religious Authorities had had their was in the 1930s, Malta would be speaking Italian today and Maltese would be to all extent extinct. Far less amusing however is this quote: “ Maltese names, he said, send a clear and immediate message to the tourist that he is in a country with a culture, history and language of its own.” While it is undeniable that language is part of a culture, you simply cannot trash your island, litter it with semi-built and abandoned concrete carbuncles of unsaleable fatlets, destroy village cores, allow the road infrastructure to perish, look helplessly on as the legal and political systems lose all credibility and then wrap yourself in the Maltese language as evidence of Maltese culture. It’s not even a fig leaf! Culture is much deeper than language, it’s about an identifiable Maltese soul. Language is merely a means of communication.

Pippo De Marco

Jul 29th 2012, 10:58

Oh, that's really smart ! - Let's make it even harder for tourists who are already frightened of our roads (and many of whom are unused to driving on the left) to find their way around. That will really play well when they get back home and tell their friends about their 'Cultural' experiences in Malta.

Mr Pace and his jingoistic cohorts seem to have overlooked the fact that many tourists already have difficulties with English and now he expects them to read signs and maps in two unfamiliar languages whilst struggling to navigate a broken and difficult road network and avoiding unforgiving (sometimes hostile) local drivers - Such a lack of foresight beggars belief ! - This stupid idea is not only selfish, but it is also counter-productive and extremely dangerous .

Let's be honest; we are the only nation that speaks (and sometimes writes) Maltese and if we dont know our way around our own country by now, then we have more to be concerned about than the language used on the road signs. Besides, if we relied on the existing signs then we wouldn't find our way anywhere and would be a baffled as the tourists.

This sounds to me like a group of self-important people hi-jacking patriotism to further their parochial agenda and I fully expect Tourism Minister, Dr Mario de Marco, to intervene and remind these small-minded people that we already have a common language in Malta .... It's called 'Common Sense' !

Peter Bugeja

Jul 29th 2012, 10:55

Oh, come on! You cannot say "now Tas-Sliema". It has been Tas-Sliema for ages! Everyone refers to the locality as "Tas-Sliema". Why are tourists confused with "Parrocca"?? There is the symbol of a church next to it. Don't be ludicrous. The video says nothing. It only shows the good work done by TM in Triq il-Kunsill tal-Ewropa.

Franco Farrugia

Jul 29th 2012, 10:52

I think that commonsense must prevail. Certainly that we MUST use Maltese names because the Maltese language is our native language and we have to respect it.
However, certain place names, or directions, MUST also be given in the English language! Is it such a big deal to put the English meaning underneath?
And the answer is: NO.
But we do not give up the Maltese language! No way. In this context, I agree with Mr Matthew Sant below. Yes, we need to respect our foreign visitors by displaying certain names in English as well. I say 'certain names' because, once again, we have to act with common sense - 'Il-Mellieha' is well understood by all. So is 'Hal-Balzan', and any other locality that starts with a definite article or with the 'Hal-'.
Those who believe that only the Maltese language should be used are in error and they are not impressing me with any pseudo-love for our language!

Kenneth Galea

Jul 29th 2012, 10:51

Completely the wrong decision and totally daft in my opinion that is. Malta is a very small country and Maltese is spoken only in Malta, get a foreign national to try and learn Maltese and he will tear his hair out. Malta is a magnet for tourists and we depend heavily on tourism. The last thing we want is confusing the tourists. What is TM and the council playing at??? Preserving the Maltese language does not come into it here at all, the Maltese understand the sign posts if these are printed in English but foreign nationals/tourists don't. This does not work, well another fiasco of TM. In the UK, in parts where they had a large influx of Polish nationals, the roads and the signposts are also marked in Polish (apart from English)

joe galea

Jul 29th 2012, 10:48

We are really short of sins on this island

Mr mario aquilina

Jul 29th 2012, 10:46

Can Transport Malta or any of the Traffic Wardens explain to me what the sign, 'Go to the Traffic Lights' means, which is situated after the football ground corner with Pioneer Road in Bugibba.

At the football ground there is a No Right Turn sign, then the first road on your right got a No Entry sign, and the second on the right which is Pioneer Road got no sign at all. In all my years of driving, if I saw a No Right Turn sign, it meant that I should not turn right in the first road that I come to.

For a good few months there used to be a traffic warden hiding infront of the cinema on Pioneer Road dishing fines to anybody that turned into this road from the football ground end. I was one of those, but I refused to accept that I was in the wrong, and after arguing for a good 20 minutes with the traffic warden, I was let off. The thing was that he accepted my explanation and promised me that he will do something about that sign. After a year and a half the sign is still there. Poor souls are the ones who got and paid the fine.

Am I meant to do a U Turn on the traffic lights to get to Pioneer Road! Surely that is more dangerous than turning right from the football ground end. I think that sign should read, 'Go to the Roundabout', and a second No Right Turn erected in a proper place.

The accidents that happen on this stretch of road are from cars coming out of the road with the no right turn sign, as they ignore the give way sign, trying to beat the cars coming from the Burmarred roundabout end.

Putting signs that everybody understand saves lives, instead of having tourists stopping in awkward places looking at their maps just because we want to be proud of our language.

Gianfrancesco Buttigieg

Jul 29th 2012, 10:43

Congratulations - about time :)


Who on earth decides not to visit Portugal, Spain or France because the signs will be in Portuguese, Spanish or French? No-one that's who. When I travel I actually LOOK FORWARD to foreign languages as they add local colour to the place.

I'm sorry but the argument against Maltese is simply ridiculous.

Besides, does it really take a genius to work out that an ajruport is an airport, that "Il-Port tal-Imgarr" is "Imgarr Port" or that "Parrocca San Girgor" is "St. Gregory Parish"?

Come on, tourists aren't that stupid... we live in a world of multilingualism and where people travel more ... haven't people haven't ever been abroad?

Furthermore - I'm seeing that certain things are still in English... for example, Hypogeum not Ipogew - and besides, the new signs will be bilingual (with prominence given to Maltese I hope) so not much of a problem there, either.

Mr Tony Barbaro Sant

Jul 29th 2012, 10:43

I am old enough to remember when all street names in Malta, and presumably Gozo as well, were written in both Maltese and English. What is wrong with reverting to this simple solution, when we have the advantage of being bi-lingual and with both Maltese and English being 'official' languages? We depend to a large extent on tourism, so what is wrong with making things easier for our visitors?
I am of the opinion that street signs, maps and other tourist-related material should be in both Maltese and English. I am in full agreement with MHRA President Tony Zahra, and the sooner this is implemented, the better.
We all remember the case of the English lady who couldn't find her way to our hospital at night simply because all the signage pointed to Mater Dei.
As for the Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti, I will start showing some respect for them when our schools teach students to spell and write English words in English. I still laugh - or should I cry? - when I hear that children are being taught to write 'teddy bear' in Maltese as 'tedi ber'. Not forgetting other gaffes like kowc (coach), futbol (football), kompjuter (computer) and a thousand other glaring examples.
For the same reason, being bi-lingual, do our MEPs really need to deliver their speeches in Maltese in the European Parliament, risking garbled translation, when they can easily do the same in English? Itvwill probably put some translators out of business, but with all the employment opportunities in Europe, this should not be a problem!
Whilst on the subject of road signage, could the powers-that-be at Transport Malta start putting up road signs some metres ahead of the turn-offs, thus giving drivers a chance to choose their lanes in time?

Shawn Grixti

Jul 29th 2012, 10:43

I work in Holland and all the signs are in Dutch, every country has the signs in their language, in Germany they are German and so on. Even at train stations they never speak a word of english on public announcments, even if departing from the airport.
So let us give them their own medicine, we have the right to. On my TomTom, when in Malta the map is also in Maltese so it shouldn't cause problems.

Matthew Sant

Jul 29th 2012, 10:35

I personally think that this is a bad idea. The argument that other countries display signs in their own language is not a valid one. How many of those countries rely on tourism as a crucial source of income? More importantly, why can't we be better than other countries for once instead of using their approach as an excuse? I love Maltese, but I also believe in common sense. The Maltese council is free to make any proposal it deems to be important, however, this is a democracy and all parties affected by this decision should be consulted. What's wrong with signs in both languages? I've driven in countries where they had signs in their own language and others where they used both. All I can say is that I have way more respect for those that used both languages because they showed me some respect as well.

joe briffa

Jul 29th 2012, 10:31

WHY NOT? They can have guides to show them or give them maps with translations,I agree totally that they should be in MAltese, its our language, Forget the tourist,he is only few days here.....and stop moaning about the language.....go abroad and if you find anything in English,for example in Italy,Germany ro the EU let alone Maltese tell me please...

joe briffa

Jul 29th 2012, 10:28

WHY NOT? They can have guides to show them or give them maps with translations,I agree totally that they should be in MAltese, its our language, Forget the tourist,he is only few days here.....and stop moaning about the language.....go abroad and if you find anything in English,for example in Italy,Germany ro the EU let alone Maltese tell me please...

anthony sultana

Jul 29th 2012, 10:21

The tourist like Malta for one reason because we speak english, nothing else,there are thousands of island like Malta around the world, most of them are more attractive then Malta.

James Dewar

Jul 29th 2012, 10:18

Yet another unbelievably ill considered development and destined to increase road incidents and general confusion amongs tourist drivers more of whom now hire cars since the demise of the old buses. At least the confusion created may take some of the heat off Arriva who are currently held responsible for all negative road issues from crashes to traffic jams!

C. Sammut

Jul 29th 2012, 10:13

What is worse is that you don't actually see the signs before you come to a turn but at the exact turn, by which time it would be too late to make a sudden swerve!

W Cassar

Jul 29th 2012, 10:11

This is all a bit of show boating by the Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti. I suggest they spend their time teaching people to spell properly in maltese and create a decent online Maltese spell checker!

Leave the signs in English for the tourists as they really need them plus their maps will be useless otherwise.

A.f Ellul

Jul 29th 2012, 10:06

In other countries the signs are in their own language,tourists like to use maps to travel.

anthony sultana

Jul 29th 2012, 09:58

Another stupid move from the PN group.Scrape the maltese language is useless, when one comes to connect with the rest of the world.

Anthony Borg

Jul 29th 2012, 09:56

1.Road signs are put up to direct us to a destination.
2.One of our main, if not "the main", source of national income is from Tourism.

Therefore....
We do not need signs in Maltese only to know where we are in tiny Malta!

On the other hand, tourists and foreigners settling here do need signs in English.

Matthew Camilleri

Jul 29th 2012, 09:47

We don't need to put signs in English. When we go abroad to other countries we have to learn how to spell names of places in the language of their country.

C Abela

Jul 29th 2012, 09:45

Excuse my patriotism and my ignorance but finally we are doing something in our language, so we have our official language to be the Maltese and then we do everything in English so that the tourists will be well taken care of, with all the respect but when I went to foreign countries all the signs even from the airport were all in their official language and you just have to use your creativity to arrive where you want. And the Maltese fools want to do everything in English so that the tourists are well served. Even for the bus drivers, here we have some of them which on speak in English...I think that the Maltese language for such a driver is a must and not get on board a bus and talk in Maltese to the driver and he asks you to repeat in English...Excuse me!! We're in Malta!!