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Kriol dialect

Kriol

Also known as: Australian Kriol

An English-based creole spoken across northern Australia by Aboriginal communities, especially in the Northern Territory and the Kimberley. Native to many speakers and used in bilingual schools and broadcasting.

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Frequently asked questions

What language is Kriol?

Kriol is a dialect of the Kriol language.

Where is Kriol spoken?

Kriol is primarily spoken in Australia.

Which region is Kriol associated with?

Kriol is part of the Southeast Asia region on DialectAtlas.

Is Kriol known by other names?

Yes — Kriol is also referred to as Australian Kriol.

Nearby dialects

See on the atlas →
Aboriginal Australian English

271 km away

A distinct Australian English variety used widely across Aboriginal communities. Shows substrate influence from many Aboriginal languages and forms a continuum with Kriol in northern Australia.

Tiwi

350 km away

A non-Pama-Nyungan language of the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin, the only living member of its family. One of the most morphologically complex languages on record, with a famously elaborate noun-classification system.

Yolŋu Matha

555 km away

A cluster of closely-related Pama-Nyungan languages spoken across Yolŋu communities of north-east Arnhem Land. Centred on Yirrkala and Galiwinʼku.

Warlpiri

870 km away

A Pama-Nyungan language of the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory. Spoken across communities including Yuendumu and Lajamanu; the subject of substantial linguistic documentation.

Broad Australian

1,041 km away

The most strongly-marked sociolect of Australian English, traditionally rural and outback in association. Famously caricatured as "Strine"; recognisable by its diphthongal vowels and broad nasalisation.

Torres Strait Creole

1,162 km away

An English-based creole spoken across the Torres Strait Islands and adjacent communities of far northern Queensland. Closely related to Tok Pisin and Bislama within the Melanesian Pidgin family.

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