When the Arabs invaded Malta in 870 A.D. they had the most significant influence on the language. The Normans, the Spaniards, the Knights of St. John, the French and lastly the British followed them. The Maltese grammar and the primitive lexicon are Arabic, although both Italian and English have left a marked influence on Maltese pronunciation and syntax. The Maltese alphabet is made up of 30 letters using the Roman alphabet with some added letters. Telephone Services Malta has a very good telephone service.
Telephone boxes are numerous and can be found in most squares and busy streets.
As telephone cards become more and more popular it is becoming less common to find boxes taking coins. Telephone cards can be bought from newsagents, stationers, hotels, bars and roadside kiosks that cost Lm2, Lm5 or Lm10 lasting from 10 minutes up to 30 minutes. Overseas telephone rates are quite reasonable with cheaper rates after 6.00pm and 9.00pm. For directory enquiries dial 190 and 194 for international enquiries. The postal service in Malta is very efficient.