What are the 3 main languages spoken in the Torres Strait Islands?
In the Torres Strait three main languages are spoken:
- Kala Lagaw Ya is spoken on the western islands of Mabuiag and Badu.
- Meriam Mir is spoken throughout the eastern islands of Erub (Darnley Island), Ugar (Stephen Island) and Mer (Murray Island).
How many languages does Torres Strait Islander speak?
There are three languages spoken in the Torres Strait Islands: two indigenous languages and an English-based creole.
What nationality are Torres Strait Islanders?
Torres Strait Islander peoples come from the islands of the Torres Strait, between the tip of Cape York in Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Torres Strait Islanders are of Melanesian origin with their own distinct identity, history and cultural traditions. Many Torres Strait Islanders live on mainland Australia.
Where is Torres Strait Creole spoken?
Torres-Strait Creole is an English-based creole spoken by about 25,000 people on a number of the Torres Strait islands between Australia’s Cape York Peninsula and New Guinea, and in northern parts of Cape York in Queensland in Australia, and also in south western parts of Papua New Guinea.
How do you say hello in Torres Strait Islander language?
Galang nguruindhau (Turrbal) & Gurumba bigi (Yuggera)! Or “Hello from Brisbane!”.
Where is Torres Strait Islander Creole spoken?
What is Torres Strait Islander culture?
Torres Strait Islanders have a distinct culture which varies slightly within each island or community. We are a sea-faring people, and engaged in trade with people of Papua New Guinea. The culture is complex, with some Australian elements, Papuan elements and Austronesian elements (also seen in the languages spoken).
Who controls Torres Strait?
Today, the Torres Strait Regional Authority, an Australian government body established in 1994 and consisting of 20 elected representatives, oversees the islands, with its primary function being to strengthen the economic, social and cultural development of the peoples of the Torres Strait area.
What is the language of the Torres Strait Islands?
There are two traditional languages of the Torres Strait Islands, Meriam Mir and Kala Lagaw Ya as well as Torres Strait Creole, a recently developed community language. Meriam Mir (also written as Miriam Mer) is the Language of the Eastern Islands of the Torres Strait.
Who are the indigenous people of Torres Strait?
The islands’ indigenous inhabitants are the Torres Strait Islanders, who are distinct from both the Papuans of adjoining New Guinea and from Aboriginal groups on the nearby Australian mainland but related to both. The various Torres Strait Islander communities have a unique culture and long-standing history with the islands and nearby coastlines.
Where are the Torres Strait Islanders located in Australia?
The Torres Strait Islanders are from the Torres Strait Islands located in Queensland, Australia as well as a couple communities nearby on the coast of the mainland at Bamaga and Seisia.
When is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages exhibition?
Jarjum stories: A kuril dhagun showcase focusing on children’s books and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. 19 October 2019-10 May 2020. Spoken: celebrating Queensland languages: A major exhibition exploring the survival and revival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages throughout Queensland.