Back in the 1970s, when I was still at Il-Hajja, I helped a young man publish a series of humoristic novels, loosely based on Giovanni Guarreschi's Don Camillo and Peppone stories.

These books include Dak l-Imbierek ta' Kappillan (1971), Il-Kappillan jerga jaghmilha (1973), Il-Parlament tal-Kappillan (1976) and Il-Kappillan u l-MLP (1977).

Although, as one can realize, these books were published in the very dark days of the Mintoff regime, the humour in the books was so apparent there was no adverse reaction to them.

Since those days, I lost touch with Mr Costa. I knew he was a teacher and that he hailed from Luqa. Until I was sent this book for review.

This slim book is not a tome that analyses the intricacies of the unique Maltese language. It targets students, teachers and writers in the Maltese language how they must spell Maltese when it includes the two unique consonants Gh and H (Ghajn and Akka).

Notwithstanding the slimness of the book, it does include some nuggets of information. Such as: there are no words beginning with H, H, I, IE, J, O, P, U and V that have an Ghajn in them.

As for the Akka, there are no words beginning with A, C, E, GH, H, I, IE, J, O, P, Q, U, V, W that have an Akka in them.

The book does not explain why this is so but states this is so.

Another interesting feature in the book explains how words with an Ghajn and Akka are declined in the various forms of Maltese words and verbs. This is a useful help for those who usually mistake writing Maltese correctly.

 

Tuse Costa

L-Gh u l-H fil-Malti

Self-published

2013

139 pp