Malta: "Euro" or "Ewro"? - A letter of mine to the press + Baptism of Christ for Euro

[Ederico]

Here is a letter of mine on a mini-controversy in linguistic terms regarding the name of the Euro in Maltese:

The ongoing debate regarding what should be the correct Maltese term used for what is planned to be the single currency of the European Union rages on and seems to take a sort of linguistic struggle relating to national identity. As much as I respect Maltese national identity in true form, the Maltese language, and the history of our nation, this controversy should not have materialised. I'm surprised that in relation to the Euro we are debating Maltese language spelling and not the truly substantial effects of the common currency on our nation.

The problem in this debate is that everyone should accept that according to current standards of Maltese language orthography the currency designation should definitely be “Ewro”, irrespective of its usage on the actual currency. If we are to give the Euro a Maltese imprint, there is no doubt what the correct spelling would be.


However, “Euro” would be totally correct in relation to the previous Maltese orthographical standards, but that is previously used and not contemporary. Returning to Maltese's old orthographic standards appears out of the question at the moment.


The real linguistic problem lies with pronunciation. Whilst speaking in Maltese, pronouncing “Euro” as “you row” is blatantly incorrect. Those that want to keep the “Euro” spelling in Maltese usage, and I hope “Euri” and not “Euros”, should at least pronounce it according to correct Maltese pronunciations according to the old orthographic standards.


Concluding, this whole controversy is caused by mere EU lip-service to the notion of intra-European cultural distinctiveness and diversity in relation to the nations that compose the EU. The whole controversy would have been done away with if a neuter language such as Latin was used universally for the common currency. There are truly substantial ways through which intra-European cultural distinctiveness and diversity could be guaranteed justly. Mere and puerile different names for the same common currency is not one of them.

On a positive note, for the face of the Maltese Euro the statue of the Baptism of Christ found at St. John's Co-Cathedral at Valletta is up till now in the 1st. position according to popular voting.

Relevant link in relation to selection:

http://www.gov.mt/documents/cbmenglish.pdf

Relevant link in relation to frontrunner:

http://www.di-ve.com/dive/portal/por...=94887&pid=124

Picture attached.