Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
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  • Our Languages
    • Meriam Mir
      • Mer Dialect
      • Erub Dialect
    • Kala Lagaw Ya
      • Kalaw Kawaw Ya Dialect
      • Kawrareg Dialect
      • Mabuyag Dialect
      • Kulkalgau Ya Dialect
  • Our Story
    • Our Vision
    • Our Plan
    • Our Rights
  • Our Work
    • Revitalisation
    • Language Centre
    • Language Teams
  • About Us
    • Contact Info
Language Culture Future
Story Work

Revive the Languages

The Torres Strait region is the home of two traditional languages and six dialects:

  • Meriam Mir – Mer dialect and Erub dialect
  • Kala Lagaw Ya – Kulkalgau Ya, Kalaw Kawaw Ya, Kawrareg dialect and Mabuyag dialect

These are all recognised as severely and critically endangered languages by UNESCO, the Australian Government and Torres Strait communities.

“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.”

Rita Mae Brown
American Playwright

Language is the verbal expression of culture – offering a powerful medium through which culture is carried forward. Our stories and songs contain the key to understanding our world, and finding our place within it.

The richness of our cultural practices, knowledge systems and cultural expressions is a great source of great strength, resilience and pride for Torres Strait and Aboriginal people. For this reason, language and culture are deeply interconnected and core parts of one’s identity.

LANGUAGE Kala Lagaw Ya LANGUAGE Meriam Mir Seisia Bamaga Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect Boigu Is. Dauan Is. Saibai Is. Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect Mabuyag Is. Badu Is. Mabuyag dialect Mua Is. Kiriri Is. Muralag Is. Ngurupai Is. Waiben Is. Kawrareg dialect Nagir Warraber Is. Poruma Is. Masig Is. Iama Is. Kulkalgau Ya dialect Mer Is. Mer dialect Ugar Is. Erub Is. Erub dialect

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More News & Events

Maria is from Ugar Island. She speaks English and is learning Meriam Mir.

Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
  • Our Languages
    • Meriam Mir
    • Kala Lagaw Ya
  • Our Story
    • Our Vision
    • Our Plan
  • Our Work
    • Language Centre
    • Language Teams
  • Revitalisation
  • News & Events
  • Contact Info
Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
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