An online version of the Maltese dictionary was launched yesterday by the Malta Communications Authority.

The online dictionary is one of the outcomes of the Maltese Language Resource Server, or MLRS, project, a long-term initiative by the Institute of Linguistics and the Department of Intelligent Computer Systems at the university. It was initially developed by John J. Camilleri and subsequently fine-tuned and edited by the MLRS team.

The dictionary was further developed and made public as a result of a strong collaboration between the MCA, the Institute of Linguistics, the Department of Intelligent Computer Systems at the University of Malta, as well as the Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti, which mediated the collaboration agreement, together with the Vodafone Foundation.

The website offers advanced searches, allowing users to search for a Maltese word and its English definition

For best results, users should search for specific words, making sure they use Maltese fonts, information on the website states. These fonts have been made available through an icon on the left side of the search bar for easy reference and should appear automatically when clicking on the search bar.

The website also offers an advanced search function, allowing users to search for both the Maltese word and its definition in English. The word being searched for appears in red, followed by its definition in English and what part of speech it is: for example, a noun, verb or adjective. As most words in Maltese have a root word, this is also provided.

During the dictionary’s launch, MCA chairman Edward Woods said the project was one of the first since he became chairman.

Now that the dictionary had been launched, he said, it was important to keep it alive and updated.

University rector Juanito Camilleri said it was satisfying for him to see the university working with others in the industry on such important projects.