Chapter 556 – Maltese Sign Language Recognition Act
What is this act about?
This law officially recognizes Maltese Sign Language as an official language of Malta and establishes a council to promote its use and development, ensuring equal opportunities and linguistic rights for the Deaf community.
Who it applies to: The Deaf community in Malta; The Government of Malta and its various services and institutions.
At a glance
- Country
- Malta
- Area of law
- Other legislation
- Articles
- 11
- Source
- legislation.mt
- Text retrieved
- Explanation updated
What does this act regulate?
- The recognition of Maltese Sign Language as an official language of Malta.
- The establishment and functions of the Maltese Sign Language Council.
- The promotion and widest use of Maltese Sign Language in various sectors.
- The setting of competency standards for Maltese Sign Language interpreters.
Who does this act apply to?
- The Deaf community in Malta.
- The Government of Malta and its various services and institutions.
What are the key points?
- Maltese Sign Language is declared an official language of Malta.
- The Government of Malta must promote its widest use in government information and services, education, broadcasting, media, law courts, and political, administrative, economic, social, and cultural life.
- A Maltese Sign Language Council, composed of not more than five members (at least two from the Deaf community), is established to advise the Minister, support research and development, and set competency standards for interpreters.
- The Council must prepare a report on the operation of this Act every two years, consulting with the Deaf community.
Other legislation
Legal text
Legal text
MALTESE SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION
CHAPTER 556
MALTESE SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION ACT To provide for the setting up of the Maltese Sign Language Council, and for matters ancillary or consequential thereto.
24th March, 2016 ACT XVII of 2016.
Art. 1
Short title and basis.
Art. 2
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
Interpretation. ''Committee'' means the Social Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives or any other committee substituting the same; "Council" means the Maltese Sign Language Council established under article 7; "Deaf community" means (a) the distinct linguistic and cultural group of people who have a hearing impairment and who use Maltese Sign Language as their first or preferred language; and (b) people who have a hearing impairment and who identify with the group of people referred to in paragraph (a); "Maltese Sign Language" means the visual and gestural language that is the first or preferred language in Malta of the distinct linguistic and cultural Deaf community; "Minister" means the Minister responsible for the rights of persons with a disability.
Art. 3
Declaration, scope and guiding principle.
Art. 4
Maltese Sign Language is declared to be an official language of Malta and the Government of Malta shall promote through all possible means the widest use of Maltese Sign Language in all government information and services, education, Use of Maltese Sign Language.
MALTESE SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION broadcasting, media, at the law courts, and in political, administrative, economic, social and cultural life.
Limitations.
Art. 5
Use of other language.
Art. 6
Nothing contained in this Act shall affect the right of any other linguistic community in Malta or the right of any person to use the language of that community or person which is not Maltese Sign Language.
Establishment of the Maltese Sign Language Council.
Art. 7
Purposes of the Council.
Art. 8
The purposes of the Council are: (a) to advise the Minister in all matters related to sign language; (b) to support research related to sign language; (c) to support the development of sign language and motivate and enhance the recognition and expression of Maltese Sign Language; (d) to promote the dynamic development of such linguistic characteristics as identified by the Maltese Deaf community; (e) in consultation with the Deaf community, adopt a suitable linguistic policy backed by a strategic plan, and ensure that the same are put into practice and observed in all sectors of Maltese life; (f) to evaluate and co-ordinate the work done by associations and individuals, in Maltese Sign Language sector and to foster an atmosphere of cooperation through a consensual plan; (g) to seek to obtain financial resources locally and overseas in order to be able to strengthen its activities, especially such resources as are already accessible to local and international organisations for research purposes; (h) to co-operate with persons, bodies and organisations in the disability sector in order to increase and augment the recognition and appreciation of Maltese Sign Language and cultural activities for the further advancement of Maltese Sign Language; (i) to prescribe and establish regulations about the standards of competency that a person who is to act as an interpreter of Maltese Sign Language must attain and keep a register of recognised Maltese Sign Language Interpreters;
MALTESE SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION (j) to undertake such other activities as may be assigned to it by the Minister.
Art. 9
Composition of the Council.
Art. 10
MALTESE SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION thereafter, prepare a report on (a) the operation of this Act since its commencement, and every two years after the first report; and (b) whether any amendments to the scope and contents of this Act are necessary or desirable.
Inclusion of report in other reports.