I have just read the editorial and I agree (TMIS, 18 December). The Maltese language is very articulate and beautiful, but do not forget that a lot of words are of foreign extraction, French, English, Italian just to name a few. I was ignorant of this fact as a child growing up in Malta. Now I know better.

I have lived in England for the past 37 years, but I am still proud to call myself Maltese.

The language has to be promoted and taught in schools. I learnt to read and write English before I learnt to do so in Maltese. Why? It was because I was sent to a private school when I was four years old and I did not learn to read and write Maltese till I went to a government school. I found English easier to read and write because at the time most of the books were in English.

I do find it difficult to speak Maltese initially when I visit Malta as I do not speak Maltese at all in England, but after listening to it, it gradually comes back.

J. Vella

UK