Also Known As:
Kala Yagaw Ya, Yagar Yagar, Mabuiag, Kala Lagau Langgus, Langus, West Torres
Dialects & Varieties
- Kalaw Kawaw Ya (Saibai dialect: kala1378)
- Mabuyag
- Kulkalgau Ya
- Kawrareg
Encyclopedia of the World's Endangered Languages
Moseley, Christopher. 2007. Encyclopedia of the World's Endangered Languages, 1 edn. Abingdon: Routledge. ISBN 070071197X
Endangered
100 percent certain, based on the evidence available
~4,000
Native Speakers Worldwide
Speaker Number Trends
Speaker Number Trend 2
A majority of community members speak the language. Speaker numbers are gradually decreasing.
2
Domains of Use
Domain Of Use 3
Used mainly in the home and/or with family, but remains the primary language of these domains for many community members.
3
Transmission
Transmission 3
Some adults in the community are speakers, but the language is not spoken by children.
3
Speakers
Native or fluent speakers:
No results found.
Second-language speakers and learners
No results found.
Semi-speakers or rememberers
No results found.
Children:
No results found.
Young adults
No results found.
Older adults
No results found.
Elders
No results found.
Ethnic or community population
No results found.
Year information was gathered
No results found.
Comments on speakers
No results found.
Location and Context
Countries
Australia: Insular northern Queensland, western Torres Strait Islands.
Location Description
"There are about 4,000 or so fluent speakers in the Torres Strait area. Others have moved to the Queensland mainland, particularly to cities such as Townsville and Brisbane."
Government Support
No results found.
Institutional Support
No results found.
Speakers' Attitude
No results found.
Other Languages Used By The Community
Torres Strait Creole
Number of Other Language Speakers:
None
Domains of Other Languages:
None
Writing Systems
Standard orthography:
No results found.
Writing system:
No results found.
Other writing systems used:
No results text.
Comments on writing systems:
No results found.