The title of Martin Scicluna’s excellent opinion piece ‘The vital importance of bilingualism in Malta’ is only true because the other language in Malta is English rather than (for example) Italian because, as he rightly points out, English is the ‘new Latin’, the language of global communication. 

As a friend of mine in Guatemala said: ‘If, in this globalised world, you don’t speak English, you are illiterate.’ Because of this undeniable truth, I have been surprised at how the Maltese have dealt with the legacy of the British colonisers.

Whereas they stick doggedly to some of the useless or even counterproductive customs, like driving on the wrong side of the road and three-pronged square plugs, the one invaluable legacy, English, is neglected.

Let me give you some examples.  Malta has six television channels. On the basis of the relative importance of English and Maltese to the well-being of the country and its people, at least four should be in English. But in fact not even one is in English. Foreign residents and tourist are effectively deprived of taking notice of what Maltese society talks about.

Monuments to important Maltese people or events have explanations only in Maltese.  Obviously, the Maltese feel visitors should be kept in the dark.

Lately even the traffic signs are reverting to Maltese as are the names for the bus stops. What the objective of this move is, is beyond me. 

Tourists are going to St Julian’s, not to San Ġiljan, and whereas everybody in the world knows what an airport is, the same cannot be said for ajruport.

A few weeks ago I read that not all Maltese children are taught English.  Consequently they remain illiterate in this globalised world. Children that speak English well and Maltese badly have, without a shadow of a doubt, better prospects than those that speak Maltese well and English badly.

Of course, Maltese is an important part of the national identity and should be cherished but for the economic well-being of all Maltese, it is of the utmost importance that English is not the second language but occupies at least a shared first place. Let us hope that the mission of the English Speaking Union will be very successful.

■ Simon Oosterman

Sliema