First the number of translators was never anywhere near the numbers needed and even though pressure from all quarters was exerted, and courses have started or are about to start, the number is nowhere near being adequate.

Furthermore, especially in the European Parliament, the use of Maltese as a language having all the rights of the other languages has run into various other problems, not least the problem that Maltese MEPs can express themselves in excellent English and some in other languages as well.

Any language loses in translation, it is said, so if an MEP makes a speech in Maltese and this is translated into English a certain amount is lost in the first translation. When the English is then translated into other languages, more is lost.

It would suit better the MEPs, it has been stated, if they were to express themselves in English as they would be immediately understood by many of their fellow MEPs and nothing is lost in translation.

Sources in the administration of the European Parliament are known to have expressed a certain amount of exasperation at the problems being created by the use of the Maltese language and the costs of ensuring this translation facility. Other costs are incurred, sometimes with comic results, in commissioning a wide variety of people to translate the official texts of the EU institutions, when they could be more easily accessed and understood in English.

An MEP, from the Socialist group in the European Parliament, who visited Malta recently is said to have agreed that if the Maltese could find a way to help the Commission and Parliament cut their costs as regards the Maltese language, an agreement could be reached whereby some of the money saved would be turned into projects which could better help the people of Malta.

The ball is now ready to roll and reactions from the Maltese political parties are expected in order to solve what has become an intractable issue of advantage to none.