Contact language case studies

Abstract

Abstract This chapter takes a fresh look at contemporary contact languages spoken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact languages are treated here in groupings which are based on broad typological criteria, historical and sociolinguistic data, as well distinctive core language features. There is a north-eastern grouping of English-lexified creole languages spoken in the Torres Strait and on northern Cape York, including Yumplatok, Cape York Creole, and Lockhart River Creole. The Queensland Settlement contact languages are included in a grouping which acknowledges the historical superdiversity of Indigenous residents’ language backgrounds. Mixed languages (Gurindji Kriol, Light Warlpiri, and the less researched Modern Tiwi), are distinguished on the grounds of considerable traditional Aboriginal language material. The periphery of the Kriol speaking area is a dynamic and extensive zone of language contact and diffusion. Each grouping of contact languages is illustrated via case studies.