Torres Strait Clusters

1
Torres Strait Clusters

• Eastern, Near Western, Central, Top Western and
  Inner Island Cluster Groups

2
Welcome

• Language Samples
• Basic History of Torres Strait Islands

3
All Languages and Dialects of Zenadth Kes

• There are 2 traditional languages in the Torres
  Strait
• Kala Lagaw Ya TL of Western and Central Islands
  (shown in bright red region)
• Meriam Mir TL of Eastern Islands (shown in dark
  green region)
• Kala Lagaw Ya has four dialects Kalaw Kawaw Ya,
  Mabuyag, Kawrareg and Kulkalgaw ya
• Meriam Mir four dialects Erub Mir and Mer Mir

4
Torres Strait Clusters http//www.gabtitui.com.au/
index.php?optioncom_contentviewarticleid6Ite
mid12
5
Near Western Islands Cluster - Maluilgal

• Badu (Mulgrave)
• Moa (Banks,
• St.Paul, St. Pol,
• Kubin)
• Mabuyag (Jervis)
• Nagir
• Dialect of KLY
• Language
• Mabuyag
• Status 1500
• speakers

6
Top Western Islands Cluster Guda Maluilgal

• Saibai (Kadhego)
• Boigu (Malu Kiyay,
• Talbot Island)
• Dauan
• (Mt. Cornwallis)
• Dialect of KLY
• Language
• Kalaw Kawaw Ya
• Status 1500 speakers

7
Inner Islands Cluster - Kaiwalagal

• Kirriri (Hammond)
• Muralag (Prince of
• Wales)
• Waybeni (T.I)
• Narupay (Horn)
• Gialag (Goode)
• Palilag (Friday)
• Dialect of KLY Language
• Kawrareg
• (also at Kubin in Moa,
• NW ) Status 1500 speakers

8
Central Island Cluster - Kulkalgal

• Poruma
• Iama
• Masig
• Warraber
• Dialect of KLY
• Language
• Kulkalgaw Ya
• Status 3 dormant

9
Eastern Islands Cluster Kemer Kemer Meriam

• Mer (Murray)
• Erub (Darnley)
• Ugar (Stephen)
• Language
• Meriam Mir
• (Ugar, Mer
• and Erub)
• Status 900

10
Eastern Cluster Kemer Kemer Meriam

• Dialects of MM Language
• Erub Mir Dialect
• of Erub and Ugar (200)
• Mer Mir Dialect (700)
• of Mer, Waier and
• Dauar

Inset of Mer, Dauar and Waier below.
11
What is Happening to Combat the Loss of
Traditional Languages?

• Tagai State Colleges Language and Culture
  Classes
• Community Classes
• Traditional Practices

12
Eso and Enjoy