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Which languages are official in Malta?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English.12

Maltese is a unique language that evolved from a fusion of North African Arabic and a Sicilian dialect of Italian; it holds the distinction of being the only Semitic language officially written in the Latin script. English serves as a primary medium of instruction within the country's schools. Additionally, both languages are recognized as official languages of the European Union. While Italian is no longer an official language, it remains understood by a significant portion of the Maltese population.12