With reference to Dr David A. Borg’s letter “Malta and her language” (TMIS, 4 September), the fact that Maltese is an Arabic dialect cannot be disputed.

Before I studied and mastered Arabic, I was able to communicate easily in Maltese in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Kuwait, but I never try to speak Maltese in Italy or the UK, as I would probably get blank stares. Speaking Maltese in any country north of the Maltese archipelago would be useless.

Since language is a means of communication and one can only communicate in Maltese with Maltese and Arabs, one can figure out that Maltese is basically a Semitic language.

I have learnt several languages, yet Arabic is the language I enjoyed learning most.

Paul Bonavia

LONDON

UK