Watch: Kurt Rumbajsa Joins Oliver Oxford To Explain Why Maltese Is So Unique

Content creator Oliver Oxford has turned the spotlight on Malta in a new video exploring why Maltese is one of the world’s most fascinating languages, with local Maltese linguist Kurt Rumbajsa joining him for the deep dive.

In the video, Oxford explains that Maltese is the only Semitic language that is an official language of the European Union, highlighting its unique place among the world’s languages.

He traces the language’s origins back to the Arab conquest of Malta in the 9th century, explaining how people began speaking Siculo-Arabic, a language closely related to modern North African Arabic dialects.

Oxford goes on to explore how centuries of Sicilian and Italian influence shaped the language before Malta became part of the British Empire, introducing English into everyday life.

Today, he explains, Maltese blends vocabulary and influences from Arabic, Sicilian, Italian and English, with modern technical terms often borrowed directly from English.

“By unpacking the Maltese language, you can actually learn a lot about Malta’s history,” Oxford says, describing the language as a reflection of the island’s unique past.

The video ends with an invitation for viewers to discover Malta for themselves, celebrating the island’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage.

Did you spot Kurt in Oliver’s video?

Video credits to @oliversoxford

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Gabriel Falzon

Gabriel Falzon is a social media executive at Lovin Malta, with a keen interest in digital media, local businesses, and the natural world. Outside of work, you’ll often find him baking up a storm, diving into video games, or exploring the endless corners of YouTube.