Maltese Sign Language
| Maltese Sign Language | |
|---|---|
| Native to | Malta |
Native speakers | 200 (2014)[1] |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | mdl |
| Glottolog | malt1238 |
Maltese Sign Language (Maltese: Lingwa tas-Sinjali Maltija, LSM) is a young sign language of Malta.[2]
Development
Maltese Sign Language developed into its modern form c. 1980 with the establishment of the first deaf club in Malta and subsequently with its use in education for the deaf. LSM's prior history is unrecorded, though there are some signs which indicate contact with British Sign Language (Malta was a British colony until 1964). These signs are relatively few, however, and LSM is not part of the BSL family.
Maltese Sign Language uses a one-handed alphabet system, unlike BSL, which has a two-handed alphabet. It is thought this system developed from 17th-century Spanish Sign Language.[3]
Official recognition
In March 2016, the Maltese Parliament recognized LSM as an official language of the country.[4]
Following recognition of LSM nationally, the Maltese Sign Language Council was established "to advise on matters related to sign language, support research, and promote its development".[3]
LSM courses have been offered by the University of Malta since 2015.[3][5] In November 2021, the first class of LSM interpreters graduated from the University.[5]
Vocabulary
Many signs referring to locations draw on specific geographic or social traits; for example, the sign for house references the flat roofs of Maltese houses, while the sign for the island of Gozo references its three hills.[3]
Writing
Maria Galea has described the use of SignWriting when used to write Maltese Sign Language.[6]
In media
The Maltese public broadcaster PBS Ltd. began airing a nightly newscast in LSM on its TVM2 network in 2012.[7]
LSM interpretation has been broadcast alongside episodes of Peppa Pig in Malta since January 2025.[8]
References
- ^ Maltese Sign Language at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
- ^ Gatt, Albert (2018). The languages of Malta. ISBN 9783961100705.
- ^ a b c d Zammit, Juliana (2025-01-07). "The lesser known third official language of Malta". Malta Today. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Borg, Martina (2016-03-17). "Parliament gives Maltese sign language official recognition". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ a b Pace, Yannick (2021-11-24). "Malta's First Ever Crop Of Maltese Sign Language Interpreters Graduate From University". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Galea, Maria (2014). SignWriting (SW) of Maltese Sign Language (LSM) and its development into an orthography: Linguistic considerations (Ph.D. dissertation). Malta: University of Malta. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ^ Vella, Matthew (5 March 2012). "PBS takes Education 22 in cultural revamp of station". MaltaToday. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ Galea, Charlene (2025-01-28). "Watch: Peppa Pig Bil-Malti Goes Inclusive With English Subtitles And Maltese Sign Language". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
Further reading
- Marie Azzopardi-Alexander, "Iconicity and the development of Maltese Sign Language", in Fabri, ed., Maltese Linguistics: A Snapshot, 2009
