Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)

The spread of Torres Strait Creole to the central islands of Torres Strait

The spread of Torres Strait Creole to the central islands of Torres Strait

Torres Strait Creole replaced Kala Lagaw Ya in the central islands of Torres Strait because 1) pearling and beche-de-mer industries used pidgin-speaking Pacific Islanders, 2) London Missionary Society brought South Sea teachers and 3) English as a medium of instruction, 4) an elite group of Islanders who spoke English grew with encouragement from Queensland Government, and 5) changes from traditional central eastern island interaction brought pan-Islander consciousness; all factors stimulating Torres Strait Creole as lingua franca