ABOUT THE TALK

This talk delves into the intricacies of Gozitan dialects, emphasizing recent studies that shed light on their unique features. Farrugia’s analysis extends to sound patterns, lexical variations vis-à-vis Maltese, and surprising parallels with Arabic dialects. Unveiling the linguistic richness of Gozo, the discourse offers a scholarly journey into the complexities of regional dialectology, providing audiences with a deeper understanding of the evolving linguistic landscape and the cultural interplay shaping the distinctiveness of Gozitan speech. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Ruben Farrugia is an educator and researcher who has dedicated his academic pursuits to the field of Maltese Linguistics. His primary emphasis has been on the examination of phonetics, acoustic phonetics, and phonology within the context of Gozitan dialects. He possesses a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Maltese and a Master’s degree in Acoustic Phonetics, with a specialization in two distinct Gozitan dialects, both earned from the University of Malta.

Ruben has overseen several Bachelor’s level dissertations centered on the phonetics and phonology of various dialects, all while instructing Phonetics and Phonology at the University of Malta. Additionally, he has engaged in collaborative research efforts with the University of Malta and the University of Heidelberg, resulting in the publication of papers offering valuable insights into Gozitan dialects.