Maltese name for Blue Grotto removed from road sign
With some thought and good will, Maltese toponyms can be prioritized and used, instead of being forgotten.
This is the message that the Facebook page ‘Il-Malti Madwarna’ is passing on, calling out concerned authorities after a road directional sign which included the Maltese name “Il-Ħnejja” next to ‘Blue Grotto’ was replaced with just the English version.
The author says how the “Blue Grotto” name, which he describes as being the ‘tourist name’, “has practically led to the elimination of the Maltese name for this natural gem.”
The Facebook page dedicated to the Maltese language pledges to encourage the use of the language in writing, especially that found on Maltese products, labels and signs.
In November of 2019 the administrator of the page said he designed an original road directional signs which included both the Maltese and English names for the popular attraction.
The administrator said that the purpose of the design was to show how with some thought and good will “we can use and prioritize Maltese toponyms and, whilst at the same time also include the ‘tourist’ names that locals have unfortunately gotten used to”.
He said how when he had sent the design to the Zurrieq Local Council, they liked it and in less than two months these signs were changed to include both the English and Maltese names.
The author pointed out that despite the act being received well by people at that time, last week Infrastructure Malta decided to install a new sign – without the Maltese version.
“Common sense requests that if something is going to be changed, it has to be improved not made worse,” he said.
He added that this is something that Infrastructure Malta did not do, as in his opinion it was not improved.
“I am very sorry to say this, but it does not care about the step made forward regarding this matter two years ago, as it chose to use the ‘Blue Grotto’ name instead of the Maltese one,” he said.
Addressing concerned authorities asking them what was wrong with the Maltese name “il-Hnejja”, he said that the Maltese language is not respected by the government and Maltese entities, “irrespective of what they say in front of the cameras”.
He added that despite always being given the answer of limited space when one asks why the Maltese language has been left out, several countries use two languages in road signs.
“We find space for many things in Malta except the Maltese language. There are some things, however, that we always find space for: excuses,” he said.
In his Facebook post, he addressed Infrastructure Malta, Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia and the Zurrieq Local Council and begs them to stop making the same mistakes.