During these final weeks of Maltese language learning, Karen and I would like to squeeze in a couple of extra lessons to solidify what I have learned. I will be graduating this semester and putting my language learning on hold, but I feel very fulfilled in the progress I made during my senior year. I spent time during these two weeks preparing my final cultural presentation about Maltese cuisine and reviewing all of the materials that I have accumulated throughout the year. In preparation for the presentation, I learned a number of new food-related words and a couple of phrases while reading through websites online.
Last semester, I identified that my primary goal of taking this course was to gain a deeper understanding of the culture through the lens of language. I traveled to Malta over a year ago and was fascinated by the blend of various cultures that existed in the food and spoken language, prompting me to seek opportunities to pursue this new interest at the University of Richmond. Through the study of language, I have gained a deep knowledge of the Maltese traditions and customs that exist and I feel more connected to the native people. I only traveled to Malta for 3 days, but I knew it would be one of the most inspiring and memorable places I have ever visited. As I read news articles, analyze poetry, speak the language, and write cultural posts, I reflect upon my trip to the country and constantly make connections to my personal experiences. I look through my photos and can now identify important landmarks, the cultural significance behind the meals I tried, and key areas for tourism. The purpose of the language goal I set was to achieve an acceptable cultural competency for returning one day. If I were to return, I believe I could communicate basic phrases to show respect to locals. In addition, I am motivated to visit the historical and tourist landmarks that I missed the first time. Finally, I would seek ways to interact with the local people and better understand the perspectives of the Maltese. Although the Maltese language is on a global decline, I would strongly encourage language learners to consider adopting this study. There are admittedly limited opportunities to practice with natives and find resources online, but there is a very valuable history/culture behind this obscure language. I look forward to applying my own knowledge of Maltese culture and language to my future endeavors and hope that this is not the end of my learning!
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