Mela... once upon a language

‘Mela... l-istorja stramba, straordinarja (u sigrieta) tal-ilsien Malti kif ma jgħiduhilekx fil-klassi’

Author: Antoinette Borg Designed: Pierre Portelli Illustrations: Mark Scicluna Publisher: Merlin Publishers / 2024

The current state of the Maltese language and its future outlook are undoubtedly among the most hotly debated topics in the physical and virtual arenas of Malta today. But aside from the discussions and disputes, how much do we know about the Maltese language itself – its origins, its journey through time and how it managed to survive centuries while many other minor languages across the world faded out?

Driven by her curiosity about such questions, Antoinette Borg has spent the last years browsing through historical papers, marvelling at – and, in her unique style, narrating – her discoveries. The result is the book just unveiled by Merlin Publishers, titled Mela... l-istorja stramba, straordinarja (u sigrieta) tal-ilsien Malti kif ma jgħiduhilekx fil-klassi. This book takes readers on an entertaining and enlightening journey through the evolution of the Maltese language, shedding light on its mysterious origins and the cast of fascinating characters that have shaped its trajectory over the past centuries.

The book launch event, organised by Merlin Publishers, was held on 27 April at the National Library and featured none other than Trevor Żahra and Prof. Michael Spagnol. Against the evocative backdrop of this historical venue and in front of a hall packed with people, actors Clare Agius and Ray Calleja performed several dramatised extracts from the book.

Mela is crafted in an original and highly accessible style, aimed at secondary school students but also adults with an interest in the Maltese language, identity and cultural heritage. It offers a fresh and whimsical – if not slightly mischievous – perspective on our language, far removed from the academic and conventional, almost reverential, approach typically associated with “books about Maltese”. The design by Pierre Portelli and illustrations by Mark Scicluna echo the jovial tone and harmonise seamlessly with the narrative style. Mela stands out also for the way it encourages readers to actively engage with the language and relish using it creatively through quizzes, jokes, word play and curious trivia.

Borg has been active in the literary scene since 2015, when she parked her career in finance to pursue her childhood dream of writing. Since then she has published over 20 books comprising both original and translated works and has won several literary prizes.

During the launch event, Prof. Spagnol remarked that through Mela Borg offers readers a fresh perspective on language, that is “through the lens of a detective who, with all the clues laid out in front of her, makes intelligent connections and points out insights that often elude those who examine history chapter by chapter”.

Similarly, Żahra commended Borg for transforming a seemingly mundane subject like the history of the Maltese language into a fun read. “We have wasted too much time holding the flower of the Maltese language like a specimen, placing it under a microscope and fixating on the geometrical shape of its cells ... all the while oblivious to the sensory experience it offers through its colours, smell and pollen.” He added that Borg has shown us how to embrace the language fully and that, while learning it well, we can also enjoy its essence and revel in its sweet scent.

Reflecting on Mela, Borg said: “I hope that through this book I manage to transmit at least a fraction of my enthusiasm for the marvels of the Maltese language.” She aspires for Maltese to prove as resilient as it has been throughout its history, overcome its present challenges and continue to reside in the hearts and on the lips of Maltese people.

Mela promises a treasure trove for all those intrigued by the story of our language. “Be prepared for a lot of surprises – as I myself was awed by the discoveries I made during the course of my research,” Borg concluded with a wink.