The Maltese alphabet consists of 30 letters that uniquely blend Semitic linguistic roots with Latin script[1]. Known as l-alfabett Malti in Maltese, this extraordinary writing system features distinctive letters like ċ, ġ, ħ, and ż that represent sounds from Arabic and other Semitic languages. The vowels follow European patterns while consonants include both familiar Latin letters and uniquely Maltese characters that reflect the island's position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Ħ (ħajn) represents a pharyngeal sound from Arabic, while Ġ (ġim) shows Italian influence, making Maltese the only Semitic language written in Latin script. Spoken by approximately 520,000 people[2] primarily in Malta and Gozo, this alphabet serves one of the world's most linguistically unique languages.
Maltese Vowel Letters
The Maltese alphabet includes 6 vowels: a, e, i, o, u, and ie that follow European pronunciation patterns while serving a language of Semitic origin.
Maltese Vowels (Uppercase)
Maltese Vowels (Lowercase)
Maltese Consonant Letters
The Maltese alphabet contains 24 consonants including unique letters like ċ, ġ, ħ, and ż. These consonants bridge Semitic sounds with European writing, creating Malta's distinctive linguistic identity.
For example:
In the word "ħabib" (friend), a warm Maltese greeting, the unique letter ħ represents an Arabic pharyngeal sound while b and vowels a, i show how Semitic roots flourish in Latin script.
Maltese Consonants (Uppercase)
Maltese Consonants (Lowercase)
Maltese Numbers
Punctuation and Symbols
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
References:
- [1] L-Akkademja tal-Malti. "Il-Grammatika tal-Malti".
- [2] National Statistics Office Malta. "Census of Population and Housing 2021".
- [3] University of Malta. "Maltese Language and Literature". Retrieved from https://www.um.edu.mt/arts/maltese
Sambhu Raj Singh ·