Shifts and patterns in Maltese

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The linguistic description of Maltese has undergone a significant renaissance in the past decade. As an Arabic language with a diverse lexicon, Maltese provides a unique perspective on linguistic variation, bilingualism, and language contact. This volume highlights contemporary research on Maltese, beginning with a tribute to the late David Cohen, an influential Semiticist. The book is organized into three sections: Phonology, Morphology & Syntax, and Contact, Bilingualism & Technology. In the phonology section, contributions include a minimalist representation of Maltese sounds, an analysis of phonological changes based on onomastic data, and the use of lengthening as a discourse strategy. The morphology and syntax section features both synchronic and diachronic studies, including a formal account of Maltese verbal inflection, an exploration of Differential Object Marking, and a history of the polar interrogative marker –š. Additionally, the variation of independent pronouns and Maltese numerals is examined with respect to phonological and morphological factors. The final section addresses gender assignment for loanwords, the typology of borrowed lexicon, bilingual practices in Malta, and the implications of computational modeling for Maltese grammar. This volume illustrates the evolution of Maltese linguistics from a subdiscipline of Arabic to a distinct academic field, serving as an ideal introduction to its diverse ling