Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529157
7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 NOVEMBER 2024 JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt O'level howlers: Now 'tallinja' bus pass finds it way into Maltese exam The stylised word Malta Public Transport uses for its bus pass has been used instead of the proper word that denotes a bus AN examination report assessing the performance of candidates sitting for the Maltese O-level has noted that candidates could have started shunning the term 'karozza tal-linja' (bus), to adopt the stylised 'tallinja' used on bus cards by Malta Public Transport. Instead of correctly writing the Maltese term for public buses as 'karozza tal-linja' or 'tal-linja' the examiners' report for the Matsec examination noted a preference to use the word MPT adopted to style its bus pass. The Tallinja card entitles all Maltese citizens and students to free public transport. "It was noted that many can- didates are using the expression 'tallinja,' written as one word in expressions like 'fuq it-tallinja' (on the bus) and 'tlaqna bit- tallinja' (we left on the bus)," ex- aminers said. The report makes no further comments on this interesting phenomenon, but this episode raises questions about how new words are coined and evolve – in this case from a brand name many students carry around in their pockets. The report includes a long list documenting the way stu- dents think in English while writing in Maltese. Examples mentioned include: "ikel ta' nu- tranza" (nutritious food), "mort għand it-tieqa" (I went to the window), "fast ikel" (fast food), "irrigettajna" (rejected), "dekadi" (decades), "advertata" (adver- tised), "iddeċidejt li niwwormja ftit" (I decided to warm myself up), "ma kienx hemm charges against ir-raġel" (the man was not charged), and "il-karozza spiċċat b'ħafna injuries" (the car was damaged). Some students even coined ex- pressions and idioms that do not exist. These included "meta tisplodi gwerra" (when a war erupts) and "fil-periklu tal-ħajja" (in the dan- ger of life, instead of death). While noting that the quality of Maltese in essays written by stu- dents sitting for the more diffi- cult paper is of good quality and improving, the opposite is true for students sitting for Paper 2B, where quality is deteriorating. Moreover, orthography re- mains the most problematic aspect, with the report noting: "Year after year, we are observ- ing the very low level of orthog- raphy in the writing of students, which is getting even lower each year." Similar grammatical issues sur- faced when students were asked to write an email to the Klabb Karrozzi Antiki (Classic Cars Club) to suggest ways to im- prove their annual exhibition. Questionable phrases includ- ed "Għażiż lil min qed jaqra din l-ittra" (Dear whoever is reading this letter), "Għażiż Għaqda" (Dear organisation), and "Għażiż Klabb Karrozzi Antiki" (Dear Classic Cars Club). The brand name Tallinja, used by the public transport operator for its bus cards, has negatively influenced how students write the Maltese word for bus "It was noted that many candidates are using the expression 'tallinja,' written as one word in expressions like 'fuq it-tallinja' and 'tlaqna bit- tallinja'" Expression of Interest (Social Media & Digital Marketing) For more info visit micas.art/get-involved or contact people@micas.art micas.art Closing at noon on Monday 18 th November 2024 Senior Officer