Whenever I say that I am Maltese, one of the next questions is usually: Is that Italian? Do you speak Italian in Malta? or something similar.
Although Malta is very close to Italy, in the middle of the Mediterranean, it has a unique language of its own. In fact, Maltese is an Arabic dialect which uses the Roman alphabet. It is also the only Semitic language to be officially recognized in the European Union.
Above are the first two stanzas of Psalm 23 in Maltese (The Lord is my shepherd).
Actually, Malta has two official languages. One is, of course, Maltese but the other is English. It is the only island in the Mediterranean that has English an an official language.
Now you know.
This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances the book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos. The book is available through Amazon.
Anne Visits Malta 
Is it a difficult language? Finnish is.
Have a good day!
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