Maltese

Semitic language spoken mostly in Malta

Languagenatural language modern languageQ9166

Also known as Il-lingwa Maltija · lingwa Maltija · Maltese language

Speakers: 570,000(2012)
1
Sources
1.Stated in Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 27th EditionRetrieved 2024-10-26
View statement on Wikidata ↗
, 482,880(2012)
1
Sources
1.Stated in Ethnologue
View statement on Wikidata ↗
, 403,000(2012)
1
Sources
1.Stated in Ethnologue
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Subclass of: Sicilian Arabic
, Southern European language
Script: Maltese alphabet
, Maltese Braille
Indigenous to: Maltese people
, Malta

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

Maltese is a Central Semitic language derived from late medieval Sicilian Arabic. It is the only Semitic language officially written in the Latin script. It is spoken by the Maltese people and is a national language of Malta, and is the only official Semitic and Afroasiatic language of the European Union. The pioneering Maltese linguists Canon Giovanni Pietro Francesco Agius de Soldanis and Mikiel Anton Vassalli both mistakenly hypothesised that Maltese originated from the Punic language. Later scholars like John L. Hayes considered it to be descended from a North African dialect of Colloquial Arabic, which was introduced to Malta when the Aghlabids captured it in the 9th century. However, genetic studies and historical evidence have established that Malta was depopulated after that raid, and that the island was subsequently repopulated by settlers from Sicily and Calabria who spoke Siculo-Arabic, which had developed as a Maghrebi Arabic dialect in the Emirate of Sicily between 831 and 1091. As a result of the Norman invasion of Malta and the subsequent re-Christianisation of the islands, Maltese evolved independently of Classical Arabic in a gradual process of Latinisation. It is therefore exceptional as a variety of historical Arabic that has no diglossic relationship with Classical or Modern Standard Arabic. Maltese is thus classified separately from the 30 varieties constituting the modern Arabic macrolanguage. Maltese is also distinguished from Arabic and other Semitic languages since its morphology has been deeply influenced by Romance languages, namely Italian and Sicilian.

Overview

Works in this language

600 linked to Maltese in Wikidata

Show all 600

Climb Challenge - Find Items 4(2024)
Planetka(2024)
Zerko(2024)
SEARCH ALL - BALLS(2024)
LAPIDARY: Jewel Craft Simulator(2024)
Cyan's Snow House(2024)
SEARCH ALL - MOUSES(2024)
Cats of the Ming Dynasty(2024)
SEARCH ALL - DOGS(2024)
Egg RTX(2024)
Color Splash: Predators(2024)
SEARCH ALL - SNAKES(2024)
Winter Cats(2024)
HER TREES : THE PUZZLE HOUSE(2024)
SEARCH ALL - TOOLS(2024)
SEARCH ALL - LOLLIPOPS(2024)
QUICKERFLAK 2(2024)
Neon Fantasy: Butterflies(2024)
Hentai Sport(2024)
Damn it!(2024)
Road Toad(2024)
Neon Fantasy: Horses(2024)
rock climbing(2024)
F.I.T.(2024)
Virtual girl save virtual boy(2024)
3D PUZZLE - Factory(2024)
L-Isbaħ Stilla(2024)
Cat Warrior(2024)
Cat Palette: Merging Colorful Kittens(2024)
SEARCH ALL - FLIES(2024)
Before The Sun Rises(2024)
Super Laura Up(2024)
GTH 3033 - Grand Theft Hunter 3033(2024)
Climb Challenge - Find Items Cyberpunk(2024)
My Thai Boyfriend(2024)
Hidden Capybaras with Orange(2023)
o---o(2023)
SEARCH ALL - SNAILS(2023)
100 Asian Cats(2023)
KILLFISH(2023)
ESCAPE FROM BOYKISSER(2023)
Cute Cats Slide(2023)
Twizzle Puzzle: Cats(2023)
Mossy Pixels(2023)
Furry BDSM(2023)
Data Garden(2023)
100 Christmas Cats(2023)
My Suika - Watermelon Game(2023)
Escape the Farm(2023)
Color Splash: Animals(2023)
My Little World(2023)
WARPZONE DRIFTER 2(2023)
Shaylushay Treasure Expedition(2023)
BULLETHELL(2023)
Twizzle Puzzle: Dogs(2023)
3D PUZZLE - Kingdom in dark(2023)
Find The Pairs Memo Game for Kids(2023)
Dream celestial body(2023)
Merge ETO(2023)
Hidden World 6 Top-Down 3D(2023)
Ball Hentai Puzzle(2023)
My Little Car Wash - Cars & Trucks Roleplaying Game for Kids(2023)
8(2023)
Munchy Mammals(2023)
Sliding(2023)
Turret Rampage(2023)
Hidden World War II Top-Down 3D(2023)
Hidden Space Top-Down 3D(2023)
Hidden Breaking Bed Top-Down 3D(2023)
Shoot For Fun's Sake(2023)
EarthKart: Google Maps Driving Simulator(2023)
Le corps-glitch (multitudes)(2023)
SEARCH ALL - UFO(2023)
Petty's Adventure: Volcano(2023)
Increment(2023)
Rage of Fluffy Looters(2023)
Logic Colors(2023)
Hentai Devil(2023)
Absolutely Nothing(2023)
Dogfight Elite(2023)
Color Splash: Dogs(2023)
Apartament 1406: Horror(2023)
Coloring Game: Studio(2023)
Sassy Cybergirl(2023)
Emme Saves the Galaxy(2023)
Color Splash: Cats(2023)
Choppy Heady(2023)
Smiling Girls(2023)
The Master's Pupil(2023)
Hidden SciFi City Top-Down 3D(2023)
Poly Jigsaw: Furries 2(2023)
Hidden Kingdom Top-Down 3D(2023)
Oirbo(2023)
Street of Secrets(2023)
Robodash(2023)
Gleeb Glob(2023)
Balance 100(2023)
Neon Fantasy: Boys(2023)
Poly Jigsaw: Furries(2023)
Lovux(2023)
Hentai Fantasy Chicks(2023)
3D PUZZLE - Battle Royal(2023)
3D PUZZLE - Desert Wind(2023)
Hidden Village Top-Down 3D(2023)
Neon Fantasy: Birds(2023)
3D PUZZLE - Medieval Inn(2023)
3D PUZZLE - Farming(2023)
Cannon Target(2023)
Neon Fantasy: Girls(2023)
Neon Fantasy: Furries(2023)
Anna Girl(2023)
PALM TETRIS(2023)
3D PUZZLE - LAST OF CITY(2023)
Poly Jigsaw: Dogs(2023)
Iso Racer(2023)
Neon Fantasy: Animals(2023)
Meduziak(2023)
Hyper Hentai Devil Hell(2023)
Escape From Russia: Mobilization(2023)
GOLD girls(2023)
Poly Jigsaw: Dinosaurs(2023)
No.BreakBrick(2023)
Hyper Hentai Bikini Party(2023)
3D PUZZLE - Vintage House(2023)
Hyper Hentai Elf Attendant(2023)
Sex Standing(2023)
Poly Jigsaw: Butterflies(2023)
Hyper Hentai Sister Nun(2023)
Hentai Pink(2023)
Find!(2023)
Hentai SpaceSuit(2023)
Elle(2023)
This Is Aidan(2023)
Hentai MatureCat(2023)
0xFF(2023)
Poly Jigsaw: Animals(2023)
Hullbreakers(2023)
Goose Ronnie(2023)
Lust Girl(2023)
Hentai Journey(2023)
Hidden World 4 Top-Down 3D(2023)
Hentai Snowy(2023)
Resoraki: The racing(2023)
Hentai Pool(2023)
Hidden Harbor 3 Top-Down 3D(2023)
Neko Hentai Girl: Beach Match-3(2023)
Hentai Oni(2023)
SEARCH ALL - FRUITS(2023)
Poly Jigsaw: Birds(2023)
Lost Oliver(2023)
Hentai Festival(2023)
Hentai Sera(2023)
Ball Army vs Zombie(2023)
Kitten Lost Her Box(2023)
Snow Mountain(2023)
Hentai EroCum(2023)
Hentai Military(2023)
Gravity Field(2023)
Hidden World 3 Top-Down 3D(2023)
Poly Jigsaw: Cats(2023)
Hidden Post-Apocalyptic 2 Top-Down 3D(2023)
Dogs Day(2023)
Elle: Portal(2023)
Hentai MagicalGirl(2023)
Berry People(2023)
Hentai Hasshaku(2023)
TAL: Arctic 5(2023)
PIP XL(2023)
Poly Memory: Butterflies(2023)
SEX Room [18+](2023)
Hentai Fox(2023)
Hentai Hanako(2023)
Dot(2023)
Hidden Post-Apocalyptic 4 Top-Down 3D(2023)
ASU Global(2023)
Bad cat Sam(2023)
SEARCH ALL - WORMS(2023)
Hentai Gyaru(2023)
PIP X(2023)
Poly Puzzle: Butterflies(2023)
Furry OwO(2023)
Finding Xavier(2023)
Break Everything - Living room(2023)
Pitch Silent(2023)
Hentai SportsGirl(2023)
Carlos the Taco(2023)
Hentai Room(2023)
Gachi: Space Orgasm(2023)
Battle Ram(2023)
POG XL(2023)
Hentai EroElf(2023)
OutWave: Retro chase(2023)
PIP D(2023)
Hentai Christmas(2022)
Fears of Glasses o-o World War(2022)
Poly Memory: Animals(2022)
Find your way(2022)
Spirit Slider(2022)
Hentai CyberGirl(2022)
Poly Puzzle: Animals(2022)
Out of Bounds(2022)
Hentai Ojou(2022)
Tanks Battle(2022)
MineSweeper Tetris(2022)
The Curse of Eclipse(2022)
WUFO(2022)
Doggerfall(2022)
Furry Arena [18+](2022)
Hentai DevilGirl(2022)
Hentai Nurse(2022)
Social Credit Simulator(2022)
Aviator: Air Combat(2022)
Kalzoon(2022)
Crispy Puppy(2022)
DICE GAME(2022)
My Soul Forever(2022)
Lab Inspect(2022)
Power Driver(2022)
Stolen Dolls(2022)
Hentai BunnyGirl(2022)
Drag and Drop(2022)
GasZilla(2022)
Dwarfer(2022)
Tiny Onion Knight(2022)
Myasoid(2022)
Furry Killer(2022)
King Smash(2022)
PIP L(2022)
POG X(2022)
Geolosys(2022)
Show Ball: Tiger Life(2022)
Tanks Logic(2022)
Hidden Harbor 2 Top-Down 3D(2022)
SEARCH ALL - BUDS(2022)
SEARCH ALL - MICE(2022)
Gabenwood: 99 Hidden Bucks(2022)
Poly Memory: Dinosaurs(2022)
PIP 6(2022)
Hidden Dungeon Top-Down 3D(2022)
dot TANKI(2022)
Poly Puzzle: Dinosaurs(2022)
PIP 5(2022)
Wordle 5(2022)
Stunt Legends(2022)
SEARCH ALL - KEYS(2022)
Petty's Adventure: Desert(2022)
PIP 4(2022)
Hidden Office Top-Down 3D(2022)
CATAIRE - Gambling with cats(2022)
OxU(2022)
Mouse People(2022)
PIP 3(2022)
Poly Memory: Predators(2022)
PIP 2(2022)
Poly Puzzle: Predators(2022)
SiNKR 3(2022)
Hidden Cube World Top-Down 3D(2022)
Climb Challenge - Castle(2022)
PIP(2022)
Poly Memory: Primates(2022)
Hidden Farm 2 Top-Down 3D(2022)
Cows&Co(2022)
TTV4(2022)
U96(2022)
Under The Stars(2022)
POG 8(2022)
Magic and Elements(2022)
Me Alone Reissue(2022)
Bug Butcher(2022)
DouDas Danger(2022)
STEIIARIA(2022)
Hidden Battle Top-Down 3D(2022)
Hidden Industries Top-Down 3D(2022)
Hidden Desert War Top-Down 3D(2022)
3D PUZZLE - Japan(2022)
The Last City(2022)
Slime Dungeon(2022)
Cute Cats 3(2022)
Lamoneo(2022)
AstraX(2022)
Cyber Bay(2022)
Space Crafting(2022)
3D PUZZLE - Castle(2022)
Knight Story(2022)
Brave Survivor(2022)
Long Journey(2022)
Winter(2022)
Robovenger(2022)
Hidden Post-Apocalyptic Top-Down 3D(2022)
Hidden Build Top-Down 3D(2022)
Hidden World Top-Down 3D(2022)
3D PUZZLE - Wood House(2022)
Miami Sunset Drive(2022)
SnakeGame(2022)
Dr. Science quest(2022)
Hidden Floating City Top-Down 3D(2022)
Grandma's Footsteps(2022)
The Pointless Car Chase: Refueled(2022)
Lazy Girl(2022)
Hidden Tavern Top-Down 3D(2022)
3D PUZZLE - Modern House(2022)
3D PUZZLE - Old House(2022)
Size It(2022)
SKAZKA(2022)
QUICKERFLAK(2022)
Horny Pixels(2021)
Deep Cave(2021)
Cute Dogs(2021)
Labyrinth of death(2021)
Princess Sera adventures(2021)
ChickenZ(2021)
Floor is Lava(2021)
SpaceGaze(2021)
Traffic Racing(2021)
End of this World(2021)
Brave Doggy Quest(2021)
Clean Art(2021)
Aeroplane Blaster(2021)
Fears of Glasses o-o(2021)
Happy Summer Quest(2021)
Bullet Grinder(2021)
Cyber Runner 2048(2021)
Undead Menace(2021)
Insight(2021)
Windows 11(2021)
Gpi(2021)
Puzzle Fever(2021)
Skeleton Troubles(2021)
Alien Hunt(2021)
Carrot Girl Adventures(2021)
Penguin Quest(2021)
Inside Soccer(2021)
Trashyard(2021)
Coloring Game 4(2021)
Yummy Mahjong(2021)
Yoshimitsu Hatsumi(2021)
Match3 mania!(2021)
Ascent(2021)
AirFighter(2021)
Rolling Car(2021)
Tank Zombie Smasher(2021)
ClickMonster(2021)
Hagia Sophia VR Experience(2021)
Planets Battle(2021)
Battle for Sea 3D(2021)
Naħseb Fik(2021)
Rabbit Riot(2021)
Mars Accident(2021)
Choco Pixel X(2021)
Plasma Attack(2021)
Active Mummy(2021)
DrakulA(2021)
Bad Guy Adventure(2021)
Street karate 3(2021)
Agent Murphy(2021)
Reach the Summit(2021)
Arc Wizards 3(2021)
Mitt Elf Isem Ieħor: HappyVeganGirlJules(2021)
Mini Car Money Chase(2020)
Fast Wings(2020)
Leaper(2020)
Choco Pixel D(2020)
Brave Hero(2020)
Chill X(2020)
Zup! Z(2020)
Jack's Labyrinth(2020)
Relax Memory Game(2020)
Dark Side of War(2020)
Chill IV(2020)
Naginata(2020)
PSIONIC(2020)
Chill Z(2020)
Choco Pixel S(2020)
Gold Dust(2020)
Monkey King vs Transformers(2020)
GOLF MONSTER(2020)
Vecter(2020)
Abiko The Miko 2(2020)
Abiko The Miko(2020)
Planet Station(2020)
Arc Wizards 2(2020)
Accel Magician Mimi(2020)
Arc Wizards(2020)
100 RUB: Operation Global Denomination(2020)
Last Escape(2020)
Ninja Kunoichi(2020)
Swordian Hero(2020)
Space Crisis(2020)
MagicalGirl Mimi(2020)
Pixel Ninja(2020)
Soccering(2020)
Choco Pixel 7(2020)
BAFF F(2020)
Choco Pixel 6(2020)
Choco Pixel 5(2020)
RUN HARE RUN(2020)
Coloring Game 3(2020)
GraFi Easter(2020)
Defense high(2020)
Choco Pixel 4(2020)
Black blood(2020)
GraFi St.Patrick(2020)
Choco Pixel 3(2020)
GraFi Valentine(2020)
Choco Pixel 2(2020)
Coloring Game 2(2020)
GraFi Lunar(2020)
Choco Pixel(2019)
Zup! F(2019)
6.0(2019)
GraFi Christmas(2019)
Space Candy(2019)
HUNTERS FOR YOUR BRAIN(2019)
Space Wars(2019)
UBERMOSH:OMEGA(2019)
GraFi Halloween(2019)
Best Plumber(2019)
zzzzz(2019)
Put in(2019)
Era of Miracles(2019)
BAFF 4(2019)
GraFi 4(2019)
BAFF 3(2019)
Coloring Game: Little City(2019)
GraFi 3(2019)
TTV3(2019)
BAFF 2(2019)
GraFi 2(2019)
BAFF(2019)
SiNKR 2(2019)
GraFi(2019)
Coloring Game(2019)
Chocolate makes you happy: Easter(2019)
Chill II(2019)
€100(2019)
Chocolate makes you happy: Lunar New Year(2019)
Capture the planet: Cute War(2019)
Chocolate makes you happy: St.Patrick's Day(2019)
Mojo 2(2019)
Chill(2019)
Chocolate makes you happy: Valentine's Day(2019)
oldbI tyt ?(2019)
Iċ-Ċimiterju ta' Santa Marija Addolorata(2019)
Chocolate makes you happy: New Year(2018)
Halloween Girl(2018)
Beer Bar(2018)
WARPZONE DRIFTER(2018)
Mojo 2: Mia(2018)
The Life of One Dog(2018)
Chocolate makes you happy: Halloween(2018)
Hentai Shooter 3D(2018)
The path to domination(2018)
Mojo: Hanako(2018)
Chocolate makes you happy 7(2018)
Hentai 3018(2018)
Chocolate makes you happy 6(2018)
Volleying(2018)
Chocolate makes you happy 5(2018)
ANOIX(2018)
Kawaii Rainbow Portal(2018)
Chocolate makes you happy 4(2018)
Swarmlake(2018)
Chocolate makes you happy 3(2018)
Mouse (Sneaking)(2018)
Chocolate makes you happy 2(2017)
Reflex(2017)
Chocolate makes you happy(2017)
Distant Space 2(2017)
Windows 10 Version 1709(2017)
SiNKR(2017)
Rainbow Snake(2017)
SWARMRIDER OMEGA(2017)
TTV2(2017)
Swim Out(2017)
UBERMOSH Vol.5(2017)
Minimalism(2017)
UBERMOSH:WRAITH(2017)
Arena Hero(2017)
Distant Space(2016)
Trip to Vinelands(2016)
UBERMOSH Vol.3(2016)
SWARMRIDERS(2016)
General Data Protection Regulation(2016)
UBERMOSH:BLACK(2016)
eu2017.mt(2016)
Maltsko-český slovník třídění odpadů(2014)
Minecraft: Java Edition(2011)
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 of 11 November 2011(2011)
What the Night Lets You Say(2011)
In the Name of the Father (and of the Son)(2010)
Twinkl(2010)
Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008(2008)
Microsoft OneDrive(2007)
Qiegħda fil-Ponta ta' Lsieni(2005)
Maltese Wikipedia(2004)
Sokker(2004)
Mojo!(2003)
It-Trumbettier(1999)
Bonaparte à Malte(1997)
Europa(1995)
Ħxejjex Mediċinali u Oħrajn fil-Gżejjer Maltin(1993)
Maltese English Dictionary Joseph Aquilina(1987)
The Ant(1986)
Sagħtar(1971)
L-Orizzont(1962)
Diziunariu mill Inglis ghall Malti (I-Z)(1900)
Diziunariu mill Inglis ghall Malti (A-H)(1900)
Diziunariu mill Malti ghall Inglis(1900)
Lohengrin(1895)
English-Maltese Dictionary(1885)
Dizionario maltese-italiano-inglese(1882)
Dizionario maltese-italiano-inglese, tomo 1(1882)
Dizionario maltese-italiano-inglese(1845)
A Short Grammar of the Maltese Language(1845)
Dizionario portatile delle lingue maltese, italiana, inglese(1843)
Motti, aforismi e proverbii maltesi(1828)
Malta Government Gazette(1813)
dictionary of the Maltese language
Maltese noun plural
Serracino
L-aħħar sajf ta’ Berlin
Giahan
Manwel
Ġużeppi
It-Torċa
Mediterranean Voice
Maltese Wiktionary
Mikiel
Concise Maltese English English Maltese Dictionary
Maltese Sign Language Dictionary
Ħelsien
Carabott
Karmenu
Abdilla
Mifsud Bonnici
Cristina
Vella
Radju Malta 2
Cassar
Filippu
Reconstruction:Maltese/iex
Cefai
Erardi
Scerri
Chetcuti
Zerafa
Cutajar
Azzopardi
Fenech
Busuttil
Sammut
Xuereb
Cauchi
In-Nazzjon
Falzon
Bible translations into Maltese
General Multilingual Environmental Thesaurus
Deguara
Mangion
Darmanin
Tabone
Main page/mt
Gauci
Buhagiar
Attard
Galea
Ġorġ
Magri
Abela
Agius
Spiteri
Baldacchino
Pace
Maltese proverbs
Buttigieg
Il-Kantilena

All data

94 statements · 26% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Wikimedia language code: mt
Language regulatory body: National Council for the Maltese Language
Native label: Malti subject lexeme: L4850
1
Sources
1.github.com/unicode-org/cldr/blob/main/common/main/mt.xml
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Country: Malta
1
Sources
1.“ScriptSource - Malta”scriptsource.org/country/MTRetrieved 2023-08-21
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Canada
1
Sources
1.“ScriptSource - Canada”scriptsource.org/country/CARetrieved 2023-08-21
View statement on Wikidata ↗
United States
1
Sources
1.“ScriptSource - United States”scriptsource.org/country/USRetrieved 2023-08-21
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Australia
1
Sources
1.“ScriptSource - Australia”scriptsource.org/country/AURetrieved 2023-08-21
View statement on Wikidata ↗
United Kingdom
Linguistic typology: subject–verb–object
subject–object–verb
fusional language
noun-adjective
synthetic language
Named after: Malta
Replaces: Siculo-Arabic
Members / parts: Żejtun dialect
Qormi dialect
Maltralian
Has grammatical gender: masculine
feminine
Ethnologue language status: 1 National
1
Sources
1.Stated in Ethnologueethnologue.com/language/mltRetrieved 2019-05-10
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Category for films in this language: Category:Maltese-language films
Studied by: Maltese studies
Has tense: present tense
past tense
Short name: малтийски
UNESCO language status: 1 safe
Category for music in this language: Category:Maltese-language music

On other databases

46 identifiers linking Maltese across the web's reference databases

35.8900, 14.4500OpenStreetMap ↗

Data quality

statements

26%

externally sourced

Source last edited September 19, 2026. AIDb refreshes this page daily.

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AIDb. (2026). Maltese (Q9166). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/maltese-Q9166