What are Aboriginal language groups?
Seven of the most widely spoken Australian languages, such as Warlpiri, Murrinh-patha and Tiwi, retain between 1,000 and 3,000 speakers….Living Aboriginal languages
- Ngarrindjeri (~ 300)
- Adyamathanha (~ 100)
- Yankunytjatjara (~ 400)
- Pitjantjatjara (~ 3,100; shared with Northern Territory and Western Australia)
How many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups are there?
There are currently twenty two Indigenous language centres around Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to maintain, preserve and promote the diversity of their languages….We always listen to the Elders.
| Nginggada-ngu | Dindi-ngu | wanggi-dji-nyin |
|---|---|---|
| Elders-to | Elders-to | listen-always-we-all |
What is the name of Aboriginal language?
List
| Language | Alt. names | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Aboriginal English | Vigorous | |
| Australian Aboriginal Pidgin English language | Nearly extinct | |
| Australian Kriol language | Creole, Pidgin English, Roper-Bamyili Creole | Vigorous |
| Awabakal language | Awabakal | Dormant |
How many languages do Aboriginal speak?
250 Aboriginal languages were spoken around Australia at the time of British invasion. There were many dialects within each language group. Today, only 120 First languages are still spoken, and many are at risk of being lost forever.
Did Aboriginal have a written language?
Aboriginal Peoples did not have written languages although many of the Indigenous Peoples of North America relied on oral histories instead of a written language to pass down their history. For example, there were Peoples who were recording historical events in the form of pictographs in various materials.
Where is Torres Strait Creole spoken?
It is widely used as a language of trade and commerce. Torres Strait Creole has six main dialects: Papuan, Western-Central, TI, Malay, Eastern, and Cape York….
| Torres Strait Creole | |
|---|---|
| Region | Australia Papua New Guinea |
| Native speakers | 6,171 (2016 census); 20,000-30,000 according to linguists |
What aboriginal languages are spoken today?
From the 2016 census these include:
- Noongar/Nyungar (south-west WA – 443 speakers)
- Wiradjuri (central NSW – 432 speakers)
- Ngarrindjeri (south-east of Adelaide – 302 speakers)
- Gamilaraay (western NSW – 92 speakers)
- Kaurna (Adelaide – 46 speakers)
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).
What should Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know about this website?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains images, voices and names of deceased persons. In Australia there are more than 250 Indigenous languages including around 800 dialects. Languages are living things that connect people to Country, culture and ancestors.
Do Aboriginals like to be called indigenous?
However many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not like to be referred to as ‘Indigenous’ as the term is considered too generic. When used in Australia, the words Indigenous, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are capitalised, as would be the name of any other group of people.
Where does the Torres Strait language come from?
The language is native to the central and western Torres Strait Islands off Queensland; however, many islands have replaced the language with Brokan (Torres Strait Creole English). Prior to colonisation, this language was spoken heavily by those in this region, with many Papuans and Aboriginal people adopting the language too.
How many languages do Australia’s Indigenous peoples speak?
Australia’s Indigenous peoples are two distinct cultural groups made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. But there is great diversity within these two broadly described groups exemplified by the over 250 different language groups spread across the nation.