Book contents
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Maps
- Tables
- Contributors to Volume IV
- General Preface
- Abbreviations
- General Editor’s Introduction
- Introduction to Volume IV
- Part I Language Variation and Change
- Part II English in England
- Part III English in Wales
- Part IV English in Scotland
- Part V English in Ireland
- Part VI English in Europe
- 22 English in the Channel Islands
- 23 English in Gibraltar
- 24 English in Malta
- 25 English in Cyprus
- Index
- References
24 - English in Malta
from Part VI - English in Europe
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 March 2026
Edited by
Book contents
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Maps
- Tables
- Contributors to Volume IV
- General Preface
- Abbreviations
- General Editor’s Introduction
- Introduction to Volume IV
- Part I Language Variation and Change
- Part II English in England
- Part III English in Wales
- Part IV English in Scotland
- Part V English in Ireland
- Part VI English in Europe
- 22 English in the Channel Islands
- 23 English in Gibraltar
- 24 English in Malta
- 25 English in Cyprus
- Index
- References
Summary
Much has been written about Maltese and its transformation into a language in its own right, both through external contact with other languages and due to internal factors. Less has been said about the English of Malta. In spite of regular criticism from purists, Maltese English has started to be regarded as a variety, distinct from others. This chapter examines the complex plurilinguistic context within which the variety has emerged and continues to flourish. It demonstrates how the socio-political context provided perfect conditions for the establishment of English as the de facto second language of Malta. Extensive use of English in different domains has also contributed to shaping the local variety in distinct ways to reflect the needs of the community (or subsets thereof) it serves. The chapter also outlines some of the more salient characteristics of the variety, in terms of pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, meaning and discourse.
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- The New Cambridge History of the English LanguageBritain, Ireland and Europe, pp. 686 - 710Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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