Tucked away in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta is a small island nation that boasts a rich tapestry of history, culture, and — perhaps most uniquely — language. For such a compact country, Malta is impressively multilingual, a reflection of its long history of conquest, colonization, and cultural blending. If you’ve ever wondered about the languages commonly spoken in Malta, the answer is both simple and fascinating. With two official languages and a population that’s impressively fluent in several more, Malta offers a true linguistic crossroads where tradition meets modern global communication.
A Brief History of Language in Malta
To understand the languages spoken in Malta today, you have to take a quick dive into its past. Over the centuries, Malta has been ruled by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St. John, the French, and the British. Each of these rulers left linguistic footprints, influencing the Maltese language and shaping the country’s multilingual identity.
This blend of cultural influences gave rise to Malta’s unique linguistic profile: a Semitic-based native language infused with Romance vocabulary, combined with the legacy of British colonialism, which elevated English to a prominent position in both governance and everyday life.
The Official Languages: Maltese and English
Maltese
The primary language spoken in Malta is Maltese (Malti), a language like no other. It’s the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet and the only Semitic language that is an official language of the European Union. Maltese evolved from Siculo-Arabic, influenced heavily by Italian and, to a lesser extent, English and French.
What’s most fascinating about Maltese is how fluidly it blends Arabic roots with Italian and English vocabulary. For instance, you might hear someone say “Jien se nħallas bil-card,” which means, “I will pay by card.” The structure is largely Semitic, but the word “card” is straight out of English — and that’s completely normal in Malta.
Maltese is the everyday language for the majority of the population. It’s used in homes, local media, and many government institutions. Children grow up speaking it natively, and it’s a strong marker of national identity.
English
Thanks to over 150 years of British rule, English is the second official language in Malta and is widely used in business, education, and legal contexts. In fact, most Maltese people are bilingual in Maltese and English from a young age. Road signs, official documents, and school curricula are often in English, and many TV shows and movies are watched in English without dubbing.
This widespread use of English has made Malta a top destination for English language learners from around the world. It’s also a key reason why so many expats feel comfortable settling in Malta — communication is rarely an issue.
Other Languages Spoken in Malta
Italian
Italian holds a special place in Malta’s linguistic history. Before English took over as the co-official language in the 20th century, Italian was the language of education and administration, especially during the rule of the Knights of St. John.
Today, while Italian is no longer an official language, it is still widely understood and spoken in Malta. Many Maltese grow up watching Italian television, and because of the linguistic similarities between Maltese and Italian, it’s an easy language for locals to learn. It’s estimated that over 60% of Maltese people can understand or speak Italian to some degree.
Other Languages: French, German, and More
Thanks to Malta’s booming tourism industry and its role as a global education hub, there’s a steady presence of other European languages on the islands as well. French and German are taught in schools as elective foreign languages. Russian, Spanish, and even Arabic are also present in some communities due to immigration, international business, and Malta’s strategic location between Europe and North Africa.
So while Maltese and English dominate, the linguistic landscape is far more diverse than it may appear at first glance.
How Languages Unlimited Can Help
Whether you’re traveling to Malta, expanding your business there, or relocating for work or education, navigating its multilingual culture can be both exciting and challenging. That’s where we come in.
We provide professional translation and interpretation services tailored to the unique linguistic environment of countries like Malta. From English to Maltese, Italian to French, and everything in between, we’ve got a global network of certified linguists ready to help you bridge communication gaps.
Need documents translated for legal or academic use? Hosting a multilingual event or business meeting? Looking for language training to better integrate into Malta’s culture? Languages Unlimited offers accurate, fast, and reliable services to support your needs—no matter the language or location.
Our goal is simple: to make communication seamless and culturally respectful, so you can focus on what matters most—building connections, not worrying about language barriers.
Final Thoughts
When you think about the languages spoken in Malta, you’re looking at more than just communication—you’re seeing the story of a nation shaped by centuries of global interaction. From the poetic tones of Maltese to the international accessibility of English and the Mediterranean charm of Italian, Malta is a linguistic gem.
In a world that increasingly values multilingualism, Malta stands out not just for what languages are spoken—but how naturally and beautifully they all come together.
Need help navigating Malta’s multilingual world? Visit us today for expert translation, interpretation, and language support services you can trust.