Diglossia : variation on a theme

Abstract

This paper investigates the status of dialectal Maltese in Gozo, with special reference to the domain of education. Gozitan dialects (GD), expected to act as Low varieties, seem to enjoy the higher social prestige normally associated with the High variety; whereas Standard Maltese (SM) speakers are stigmatized. While dealing specifically with the two diglossic features of Function and Prestige, I provide evidence to show how GD and SM share functions arid fight for prestige in school; and discuss this unusual sociolinguistic context in terms of ethnolinguistic vitality. The prognosis for the survival of GD is encouraging given both the sociolinguistic etiology, as well as the ethnolinguistic vitality of the community.