I have to admit I have always been something of a cynic regarding my relationship with L-Akkademja tal-Malti, our highest institution on the local literary scene where so many sad and often funny stories have unfolded over the last 20 years, which, alas, made it the laughing stock of a nation that, honestly and truly, is not unconcerned with regard to the merits or otherwise of the national language.

So it was with some relish that I followed this very newspaper’s obvious anxiety recently about the future of a divided Akkademja whose members always seem more content to be involved in splendidly stupid displays of hara-kiri than show a genuine desire in bringing sanity back into the academic fold.

But just when everyone thought we were about to witness yet another showdown, the like of which left us members seething with both anger and embarrassment, things have suddenly taken a turn for the better and the menacing black clouds, which have hung over the Akkademja for far too long, seem to be slowly lifting at last. The air feels cleaner and a new mood of commitment and resolution seems to prevail.

It is a most welcome and timely respite. The setting up of a national council charged with the improvement and continued protection of the Maltese language was, for many, a much-needed development. But while enjoying the backing of both sides of the House of Representatives, it however threatened to become the Akkademja’s big brother and, as such, its executioner.

Political agreement over the issue of our language has thankfully helped to avoid this further, possibly final blow. There were times when Labourites were distinguishable from Nationalists (the title is quite a misnomer, given their sorry role in the Language Question of many a decade ago) by their obvious and more vociferous support for the national language. In this case, it is the Nationalists who, hopefully not too opportunistically, have crawled back to a position favouring Maltese, with its adoption as an official language of the European Union being loudly hailed as a major triumph.

But this climate of political agreement has helped in no small measure the cause of the Maltese language, with the Akkademja being the chief beneficiary in the sense that it can now re-claim its original role as the island’s chief source for academic research, literary output, scientific growth and author recognition and, where deserved, celebration.

All too naturally, this allows ample space for the new council, which seems to have already embarked on a variety of projects that should tackle many an old dilemma, particularly the question of fragmentation in the field of literary activity. Far too many tiny organisations have been doing the same thing under different names at different locations. The famous “pizza and poetry” accusation can at last be confronted in a manner that reveals new determination and conviction. Different groups will hopefully still be able to coexist in a much more pliable environment where activities can be held collectively on behalf of and for the benefit of the same crowd who to date has been hop-hopping from one such activity to another.

I have it from very reliable sources that with the Akkademja now enjoying relative peace and tranquillity after having retrieved its identity, the new council can feel free to embark on even more serious ventures that would address media participation, school commitment at all levels, including translation bureaux, and public awareness.

I say it is also up the council’s street to act as a much-needed lobby. With its substantial political backing, the council can achieve tremendous mileage on behalf of a national language that has its declared enemies both within and without. Happily, the vast majority of people of islands still believe in the strength and adaptability of the Maltese language, which is why it is, wisely, still the chosen linguistic weapon wielded by all in the local political scene and by the Church.

There are those who seem to think that that is a battle long won and decided. I insist it is an on-going crusade in a world that is fast kicking small languages in the teeth in the process of linguistic hegemony perpetrated via the computer, films, radio, television and the Internet. The world would certainly be a lot more efficient using one language, if ever and whenever that happens, but it would also certainly be much the poorer. If the French are worried about the future of their beautiful language, we should already be wearing body armour.

This is not being jingoistic, but more cautious and zealous in a situation that calls for drastic measures, better tactics and forward-looking ideas that, rather than making an enemy of language learning and proficiency, actually promotes them within the same dimension.

There will also be those who insist that like all living things, languages are born and die a natural death. They have a life span and once that is achieved, they make way for the “new” ones, no doubt reflecting the social, economic and political scenarios of the day. It is why the world has had its epochs of classical Greek, Latin, Arabic, French, and for the last two centuries, English. They come and go, like the empires that perpetrated them, like the famous names that professed them...

But culture is not, and should not be, black and white. Diversity enriches it just as much usage embellishes it. It is here that the national council, the Akkademja, the various literary groups, publishers and authors come in. Together they can form a powerful front. There is a nation that awaits them and a durable language always in readiness.

With the black clouds at last lifting, there should be no looking back. Many of us would be happy to show we appreciate, in more practical ways than one, the new initiatives. Then let history do the rest.