Maltese is natively spoken by about 500,000 people, primarily in Malta, where it is the official language. It is integral to Maltese cultural identity, known for its unique blend of Semitic and Romance influences, folklore, and traditional celebrations such as the Feast of St. Joseph. Written in the Latin alphabet with additional diacritical marks, Maltese grammar features a free word order, extensive use of prepositions, and a simplified system of verb conjugations compared to other Semitic languages.