Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
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      • Mer Dialect
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      • Kalaw Kawaw Ya Dialect
      • Kawrareg Dialect
      • Mabuyag Dialect
      • Kulkalgau Ya Dialect
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Kala Lagaw Ya

  • Meriam Mir
    • Mer Dialect
    • Erub Dialect
  • Kala Lagaw Ya
    • Kalaw Kawaw Ya Dialect
    • Kawrareg Dialect
    • Mabuyag Dialect
    • Kulkalgau Ya Dialect

Kalaw Kawaw Ya Dialect

Unesco Status
Severely Endangered
Dialect Speakers
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Kawrareg Dialect

Unesco Status
Severely Endangered
Dialect Speakers
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Mabuyag Dialect

Unesco Status
Critically Endangered
Dialect Speakers
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Kulkalgau Ya Dialect

Unesco Status
Critically Endangered
Dialect Speakers
~ Speakers
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Kala Lagaw Ya is one of two traditional languages of the Torres Strait.

Kala Lagaw Ya (also written as Kalaw Lagaw Ya) is the traditional language owned by the Western and Central islands of the Torres Strait. It is linguistically connected to the Aboriginal languages of the Australian mainland and has four distinct regional dialects derived from this language:

  1. Mabuyag
  2. Kalaw Kawaw Ya 
  3. Kawrareg – The dialect of the south-western islands of Kubin, Kaiwalagal, Muralag (Prince of Wales), Nurupai (Horn Island), Giralag (Friday Island), Waiben (Thursday Island), Keriri (Hammond), Maurura (Wednesday), Moa (Banks). It is also known as Kawalgau Ya.
  4. Kulkalgau Ya – The dialect of the central islands of Aurid (Aureed), Damut (Dalrymple), Iama (Yam or Turtle-backed), Masig (Yorke), Mauar (Rennel), Naghir (Mt Earnest), Poruma (Coconut) and Warraber (Sue).

The evolution of these dialects was determined geographically and developed over time with influences by traditional trade, visits, inter-marriage and kinship ties.

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

“Apasin poeyban muruyguka a koey mabaygika, kaypaypa kulay a matha kedha kay kayib”

Mabuyag Ya, Kala Lagaw Ya

Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
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    • Kala Lagaw Ya
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Torres Strait Traditional Languages Plan
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