Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/782193
7 JAMES DEBONO EXAMINERS have coined a new term to define the way students express themselves in Maltese: "il-Malti tal-facebook" (Facebook maltese). A report on the performance of students in the Maltese 'O' level exam ends with a cautionary warning that good Maltese expres- sion does not rely on "facebook Maltese" and "vulgarities", adding that such expressions were inap- propriate in an exam of the Mal- tese language. A number of candidates wrote in a colloquial way either by short- ening words using exceptions like "naqa" instead of "naqra" (a little) or even using vulgar expressions. One classic expression was "dik il- gurnata kienet fottitli ħajti" (that day f***ed my life). A number of students sitting for their Maltese O'level have shown a remarkable ability in importing words from Italian or English and inventing new words. Among the inventions in last year's ex- am one finds "lojali" instead leali (loyal), "nirrefuġjaw" instead of "morna nfittxu kenn" (finding shelter), "kurrenzija" instead of munita (currency) and "advertażaw" in- stead of irreklamaw (advertising). The report notes that some students did use words imported from English correctly as was the case of "noqgħodu niċċettjaw fuq il-kompjuter" (we spend time chatting on the computer). But others used English or Italian equiva- lents simply because they did not know the Maltese equivalent. Some striking examples were "biex induru ċ-ċitta ahjar" (to explore the city better, instead of using "raħal" or "belt"), "il-kontadini ibiħħu l-ħaxix" (the farmers sell their produce instead of "bdiewa") and "minn hemmhekk kollox mar downhill" (when we ar- rived there everything went wrong, instead of "mar għall-agħar"). When asked to write a formal letter to complain about the poor service in a restaurant, the examin- ers noted that some students still relapsed into colloquial expression "lacking in prudence or cordiality". For example one candidate sim- ply said "ħa ngħidlek ta, ma kontx nistennieha minn għandek," (look here, I never expected this from you – employing a more colloquial tone,). When asked to write an email af- ter receiving the wrong model of a mobile phone they ordered, some students showed a lack of prudence, even resorted to threats of giving the company a bad name. While only 31% did not get a pass required for entry for junior college only 3% were awarded Grade 1 while 38% were awarded Grade 4 or 5. maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2017 News Unacceptable 'Facebook Maltese' invades 'O' level exam paper Examiners' report shows students are inventing new words derived from Italian or English to express themselves