1. Xemx taqli l-ftajjar

A very common idiom, literally meaning “a sun that fries bread”. You probably guessed it, this is uttered by locals when they want to say that the sun is blazing. You could say that the expression “baking hot” would come very close.

2. Xemx tixwi l-ankri

This common Maltese expression is a variant of the idiom that we have just mentioned above. The literal translation would be “a sun which scorches anchors”. If you happen to hear this expression when you’re out and about, make sure you’ve got your hat and sunscreen handy!

3. Baħar qisu żejt

A nice light breeze sweeps by as you walk along the beach for a light evening stroll. The sea is jet black, and so peaceful and smooth, it almost looks like the gods above have decided to turn the sea water into a luscious sea of black olive oil. Yes, this expression literally translates to “Sea [that looks] like oil”, denoting a very calm sea.

4. Sħana tboss

Pardon our French. Let’s make it clear that it is highly unlikely that you’ll ever find this expression in an official book of Maltese proverbs and idioms. Nonetheless, you are more than likely to hear this when visiting Malta in summer. You’ll likely hear it in the phrase, “Hawn sħana tboss!” If we had to translate “sħana tboss” literally, it would be “heat that farts”, therefore, a wave of heat that is so bad, it permeates just about everything it meets. TMI? Sorry.

5. Kemm hu riħ isfel!

Another thing islanders have had to learn to live with is the stifling humidity that envelopes the islands in the hottest months. “Riħ isfel” usually refers to a southern wind which is generally unpleasant, bringing humid and hot air, sometimes dust-ladened. Bring on the frizz!

6. X’ħedla qabditni f’daqqa waħda!

“Ħedla” literally translates to “lethargy”. You’ll often hear people mentioning ‘ħedla’ in the afternoon, or right after having lunch. The heat and the full belly join forces, and leave you wanting nothing more than a nice nap. This habit is quite common among Mediterranean folk, e viva la siesta!

7. Rewwaħli ftit b’dik l-imrewħa

The “imrewħa” is a life-saver if you are lucky enough to be visiting Malta during one of our frequent power-cuts in summer (blame it on all those ACs trying to keep up with the heat!), and frankly, a must-have given Malta’s weather in summer. The imrewħa is a hand-held fan, no batteries required, just a shake of your wrist! You might also come across a “palju”, which is also a hand-held fan, however, it has a long wooden handle and is traditionally used by men.

8. Kemm smart!

Literally: “You’ve got yourself a nice tan!”. Yes, it’s not easy having to bear the summer heat and the scorching sun in Malta, but there definitely is a positive side to it all… you’ll get a super smokin’ suntan 😀

9. Ħaditni x-xemx!

Notice the reference to the word “xemx” (sun). It is very similar in meaning to the previous expression, and a literal translation of this would be “the sun took me!”. This is usually used when people have a slight reddish tint to their skin just after spending some time in the sun, which will likely turn into a nice tan in the days that follow.

10. Ħa xemxata

Again, notice the reference to the word “xemx”. “Xemxata” literally translates to “sunstroke”. To avoid that from happening, limit sun exposure, and drink aplenty (water – not alcohol!)

11. Hawn nemusa ddur

One of the joys of humid hot weather! This expression roughly translates to: “There’s a mosquito buzzing in the air”. Make sure to stock up on some insect repellent, and possibly a citronella candle, for a mosquito-free summer experience 😎

The post 11 Expressions You Will Definitely Hear When Visiting Malta in Summer appeared first on Pristineworks.

1. Facebook groups

In an age of quick fixes, when a prompt reply to a query is often preferred to conducting research, the Facebook group Kelmet il-Malti has grown very popular. In this group, peers will reply within minutes to any Maltese language-related questions, from spelling to grammar. On the other hand, to improve on or learn Maltese in a fun way, gradually and consistently, check out the Facebook pages of Kelma Kelma and Pristineworks.

2. Pay attention

Anyone can improve their Maltese considerably by listening to the language carefully and reading it out loud. Watch Maltese television to listen to the language come alive in its most raw and dynamic form. And read a book in Maltese (with a dictionary at hand) to visually grasp all the intricacies of Maltese spelling and grammar. Courses in Maltese are also a great learning facility; these are ideal for foreigners but locals can benefit from them too!

3. Google Translate

It must be said that Google Translate is far from accurate when it comes to translating to and from Maltese. You should not rely solely on it, especially if you’re determined to start learning Maltese seriously. But while there is a lot of room for improvement in the app’s ability to properly translate Maltese, it may provide a reasonably good starting point. Particularly useful is that if you point your camera at a block of text, the mobile app will translate it in real-time!

4. Online Maltese Dictionary

Those willing to go the extra mile can use this online Maltese dictionary by the Maltese Language Resource Server project. Although this dictionary is rather basic and may lack some technical terms, it is useful for anyone who doesn’t have a physical Maltese dictionary at hand. Learn how to use the online Maltese dictionary to fully exploit this resource and make it one of your easy-to-access online tools! See also other Maltese language tools and resources by the MLRS coordinated by the University of Malta, as a collaboration between the Institute of Linguistics & Language Technology and the Department of Artificial Intelligence.

5. Il-Ġabra – A Lexicon for Maltese

To check spelling and the proper conjugation of verbs, use Il-Ġabra, a free, open lexicon for Maltese. Il-Ġabra includes translations into English and you can search using words, phrases or the morphological root. You also have the option to search by the English translation. This 2013 project by John J. Camilleri collects various lexical resources into a single database that is hosted and supported by the University of Malta. This resource emerged as part of the M.Sc. Thesis ‘A Computational Grammar and Lexicon for Maltese’ at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.

6. National Council of the Maltese Language

When the correct spelling and grammar of Maltese is an essential requisite, for publications for example, refer to the website of the National Council of the Maltese Language. This website is a truly useful resource for anyone wishing to learn Maltese or master the language. The National Council of the Maltese Language is responsible for establishing the orthography of the Maltese Language, including the spelling of words and phrases derived from English (see Deċiżjonijiet 1 & 2). It also provides other useful resources and interesting information, from historical facts about the Maltese language to a FAQ on spelling and more.

7. Physical resources

If you want to learn Maltese or refine your command of the language, keep a good old-fashioned paper dictionary handy. The best acclaimed is Joseph Aquilina’s ‘Concise Maltese-English, English-Maltese Dictionary’. This comes in a portable version as well as an extended version that includes several volumes. Charles Briffa’s ‘The English-Maltese Dictionary for the 21st Century’ is also good, however, it may contain some inaccuracies due to it being published prior to the aforementioned Deċiżjonijiet 2.

It is never too late to learn Maltese; the more fun and varied your resources, the better your chance of success!

The post 7 useful resources that will help you with your Maltese appeared first on Pristineworks.