Besides the fact that such an exchange would have never been done by e-mail, another obvious giveaway that this is a fake is the subject line. Would any self-respecting businessman use “Biggest MEPA Scandal” as a subject?

Also, most users never bother changing the subject line when having a conversation via e-mail. In the supposed exchange between JM and KD, the subject went from “Biggest MEPA Scandal”, to “Mistra Update”, to “Grazzi”, to “3D Impression”, to “Grazzi” again…

And one more thing, did anyone notice that Jason Micallef’s computer believes it was a Thursday on Feb 19th? Kevin’s grammar might have gone astray, but at least his computer gets the weekdays right. :-)

The very idea that we are still resorting to the ‘tal-pepe’ versus ‘hamalli’ rhetoric makes me cringe. Why can’t we, as Maltese, appreciate the linguistic and cultural diversity of our nation without resorting to the ever-so-ancient post-colonialist class divide? What started out as a harmless linguistic analysis turned into a value-loaded discourse, articulating the ‘differences’ between English and Maltese speakers, rather than focusing simply on the individual perpetrator.

Ultimately it is my contention that the majority of the population lies somewhere in between. Although most choose to label themselves as English or Maltese speakers the distinction is superficial. I don’t have to remind you that language is a social construction. So whether we choose to speak in English or Maltese the outcome is dinstinctly Maltese (and not in the linguistic sense).

[Moderator – That last sentence is a pointed observation.]

On a lighter note, if this is really the author’s best attempt at writing the language, he or she must sound like a right old moose when speaking it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX85Y5Zb7sw

On a different note, for better or for worse, I wish to congratulate Daphne on another positive contribution to the barren land which we call “Maltese Media”.

Well worth reading. Honestly.

D.Ph + ane + CG = Daphne C.G.

D.Ph + âne(French for ass, interfering without the hat/\ =ane). GC inverted =CG
Final result: Daphne C.G.
amande = lews mor in French.

I have just read your posting, you’re right. I was in a super agitated state at the time I responded. Feeling much better now,thanks for your contribution

I’m an Old Edwardian myself. If you’re suddenly parading yourself as our representative when it comes to the use of the English language may I humbly make the following suggestions? Don’t use the same word in one sentence in a two sentence posting, for God’s sake. Surely your vocabulary is a bit more extensive than that. You use the word ‘inform’ three times in your first sentence. You are aware, or perhaps you were a bit too emotional to think straight when you were writing the post, that ‘inform the police for them to take the appropriate action” is a literal translation of ‘jinforma l-pulizija biex jiehdu azzjoni…’ and sounds funny in English. And it doesn’t make sense. You don’t ‘inform the police for them to take action’. You inform them and then, perhaps, go on to ask them if they feel that anything can be done on their part. Perhaps you could replace that post with the following : “ I would like to inform the author of these ridiculous e-mails that I have instructed my lawyer to bring them to the attention of the police so that they may take any actions that they deem to be appropriate. “

Couldn’t resist this fascinating exercise in linguistics, sorry.

Regards.

Tony Borg

Incidentally, in English (as opposed to Maltese), one should say “Josephs” when referring to more than one “Joseph” – As in the “Josephs of this world …”.

As for your riddle … Well, I couldn’t give a toss!

Yours truly

Amanda (Which means “lovable”, “worthy of love” – and certainly not “lewz morr” :) )