Il-mistier fil-barriera tal-gebla tal-franka f'Malta : studju lingwistiku u socjologiku

Abstract

This dissertation deals with particular aspects of stone quarrying in Malta. These are the technical aspect, the geological aspect, the sociological and economic aspects and the linguistic aspect. It presents a brief survey of the human resource and the technical skill involved in the production of the globigerina limestone slabs used in the construction of our buildings. After a brief introduction, the first part deals briefly with the geological aspect. The second part investigates the present and past techniques used in the quarrying industry. It is well illustrated by slides and photos. The third part presents the sociological and economic aspects and includes a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the reduction in size of the stone slabs and of the method of production. It studies the climatic and working conditions affecting the workers. Ten men, in two quarries, were studied from whose life-style, status, occupational hazards and aspirations for themselves and their children tentative generalizations have been made. The fourth part includes a list of words and phrases ·which are commonly used in this trade and which may be very useful for further linguistic studies in the future.