Page Type: languageKriol | Ethnologue

ROP ISO 639-3

Kriol

Kriol Autonym

A language of Australia

ISO 639
rop
Alternate Names
Roper-Bamyili Creole
Autonym
Kriol
Population
17,160, all users. L1 users: 7,160 (2016 census). L2 users: 10,000 (1991 SIL).
Location:
Western Australia state; Northern Territory: Kimberley region, Roper river, Katherine areas, Ngukurr; Queensland state: Gulf country, Lower Cape York peninsula.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Originated in northern Australia after European contact in late eighteenth century. Now widespread, with input from local Aboriginal languages.
Classification
Creole, English based, Pacific
Dialects
Roper River Kriol (Roper River Pidgin), Bamyili Creole, Barkly Kriol, Fitzroy Valley Kriol, Daly River Kriol. Both Kriol and Torres Strait Creole [tcs] are spreading and are nearly overlapping in Queensland.
Typology
SVO.
Language Use
Preschool children may not be bilingual in another language. Some also use English [eng], or Aboriginal languages. Used as L2 by Alawa [alh], Ami [amy], Antikarinya [ant], Bardi [bcj], Bunuba [bck], Dalabon [ngk], Djamindjung [djd], Djauan [djn], Garrwa [wrk], Gooniyandi [gni], Gurindji [gue], Jaru [ddj], Jingulu [jig], Kaytetye [gbb], Kija [gia], Kunbarlang [wlg], Kunjen [kjn], Malak Malak [mpb], Mangala [mem], Mangarrayi [mpc], Maridan [zmd], Maridjabin [zmj], Marimanindji [zmm], Maringarr [zmt], Mariyedi [zmy], Marra [mec], Marrithiyel [mfr], Martu Wangka [mpj], Miriwoong [mep], Murrinh-Patha [mwf], Ngan’gityemerri [nam], Ngarinyin [ung], Ngarinyman [nbj], Nunggubuyu [nuy], Nyikina [nyh], Rembarrnga [rmb], Ritharrngu [rit], Wadjiginy [wdj], Wagiman [waq], Walmajarri [wmt], Wambaya [wmb], Wandarang [wnd], Wardaman [wrr], Warlmanpa [wrl], Warumungu [wrm], Worrorra [wro], Wunambal [wub], Yangman [jng], Yanyuwa [jao].
Language Development
Dictionary. Bible: 2007.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kriol
Writing
Latin script [Latn].

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Western Australia state; Northern Territory: Kimberley region, Roper river, Katherine areas, Ngukurr; Queensland state: Gulf country, Lower Cape York peninsula.