May I state at the out-set and I quote: “Self- praising is no recommendation.” As a late octogenarian, I recall the time of my primary and secondary education, when Maltese and English were taught. Then, upon reaching the fourth grade of “Secondary” school, Italian was compulsory third language included in the curricula. As a consequence Italian became the third language helped by the very fact of the geographical proximity with Sicily and Italy close to the Maltese archipelago.

Joe Felice Pace (Fascinating Maltese, TMID, 25 August) is right. Historically, from time immemorial the Maltese had to live with and was subjected to infiltration from other languages.

So, I say take heart fellow countrymen, semitically speaking we all have to say “kulhadd ghandu ragun” (everybody is right). Sahha, Good-bye, Vale iubere, Arrivederci, Salam ilkhair, So long, Adios, vaya con Dios. Etc. etc.

J.M. NAVARRO

Nutley, New Jersey

USA