Comments on: On the question of pronunciation

By: hiro

hiro — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:29:04 +0000

Originally it was dahak, sriedak, kaghak and caghak. In Valletta, the Ks in these words were changed into Qs in the late 18th century.

So, in reality, those who say sriedak are saying the word in its original form. Vassalli commented about these changes (from Ks to Qs in these words) in his Lexicon.

And it’s not just the Rabat accent that features the k in these words, it’s found in all the accents of the north of Malta, i.e. Mosta northwards.

By: Grezz

Grezz — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:09:13 +0000

In reply to Reuben Scicluna. The root is d-h-q, ghax nghidu "dahaq".

By: Grezz

Grezz — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:05:12 +0000

Daphne, all school children are nowadays thought the “rahli” way of spelling and writing Maltese, without being given the options available.

By: Reuben Scicluna

Reuben Scicluna — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:59:23 +0000

To the best of my knowledge the root (and no, it is not a literal translation) of the verb is d-h-k. It would be interesting to see how this compares with other Semitic languages.

I may also be mistaken for all I know. But probably not.

By: The Box

The Box — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:03:12 +0000

I am just wondering one thing! What was Ms. Agius doing emailing anyone during her work hours? Was/is she being paid to email Joseph Muscat? Was she fired from RTK or just suspended until further notice?

By: Timmy Spiteri

Timmy Spiteri — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:44:51 +0000

What a coincidence; I was taking the mick out of him all night pronouncing it in the same way. What a disgrace.

By: john

john — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:13:58 +0000

He WAS rehearsed and coached how to pronounce dahhaK – by Censu Tabone

By: What the hack

What the hack — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:07:39 +0000

Does this mean that the Great Leader’s secret and controversial plans for job creation will change from ‘Izra w Ihhekja ’ u ‘Izra w Ihhackja’?

By: Pecksniff

Pecksniff — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:44:23 +0000

The great rikotta debate must hold the record for the largest number of comments.

By: John 'Buzu' Busuttil

John 'Buzu' Busuttil — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:38:42 +0000

Daphne nahseb li l-kelma dahhak jew dahka gejja kif nippronunzjawha u anke niktbuha ahna r-Rabtin.

Ghax jien personali hekk nghidha u hekk niktibha.

Meta staqsejt bniedem espert fil-lingwa Maltija qalli li tista tghidha hekk ghax l-originali il-q kienet tinqara k fil-passat.

Ghawdex hemm post ix-Xewkija li ghadhom jitkellmu bil-K u anke Victoria Ghawdex hemm min jitkellem hekk.

Jigifieri Joseph li gej minn razza Rabtija ma tistax taghtih tort fuq dahka jew dahqa.

Tih ftit tan-nifs, Daphne, ghax dik hi colloquialism. Accent qawwi Rabti – mela meta taqra jew tinzerta tismani nghidha, do not grit your teeth, please. Just smile…