# Meriam language

Meriam (Meriam Mir: Meriam Mìr; also Miriam, Meryam, Mer, Mir, Miriam-Mir, etc. and Eastern, Isten, Esten and Able Able) or the Eastern Torres Strait language is the language of the people of the small islands of Mer (Murray Island), Waier and Dauar, Erub (Darnley Island), and Ugar (Stephens Island) in the eastern Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia. In the Western Torres Strait language, Kalaw Lagaw Ya, it is called Mœyam or Mœyamau Ya. It is the only Papuan language in Australian territory.

## Classification

Meriam was classified in the Eastern Trans-Fly family of the Trans–New Guinea Phylum by Stephen Wurm, who however felt that these have retained remnants of pre-Trans–New Guinea languages; this is followed by Ethnologue (2005). In 2005 Malcolm Ross concluded that the Eastern Trans-Fly languages were not part of the Trans–New Guinea phylum. R. M. W. Dixon (2002) regards claims of a relationship between the Fly River languages and Meriam as unproven, though what he bases his claim on is not clear, as Meriam Mir has a high cognacy rate with its sister languages, and a certain amount of mutual intelligibility is claimed by Meriam speakers. Mitchell finds that Meriam Mìr has 78% cognates with its sister Trans-Fly Papuan languages, the remaining vocabulary being mainly of Australian origin. Such Trans-Fly cognates include personal pronouns, and verbal and nominal morphology.
Percentages of Australian, Papuan and Austronesian content (2) = number of items; Mitchell, Holman et al. 40-word list :
| Source | WCL | MM |
| Australian | 22.5% (9) | 5% (2) |
| Papuan | 22.5% (9) | 62.5% (25) |
| Derivations/Compounds | 20% (8) | 17.5% (7) [common to Eastern Trans-Fly 15% (6)] |
| Austronesian | 12.5% (5) | 2.5% (1) |
| More than one possible origin | 15% (6) | 17.5% (7) |
| Unclassifiable | 32.5% (13) | 20% (8) |

## Status

In the 2016 Australian census, 217 speakers were recorded, up slightly on the previous (2011) census, which recorded 186. It is considered an endangered language by UNESCO.
There is a push to preserve the language in North Queensland. A group of Torres Strait Islander people in Mackay region, where there are only four fluent speakers left, are practising and teaching traditional hymns sung in Meriam Mir in an effort to help more people to learn the language and pass it down. It is hoped that a program to teach the hymns will be introduced into schools.

## Meriam Mìr and its neighbours

Meriam has around 40 percent of its vocabulary in common with its unrelated Western Torres Strait neighbour Kala Lagaw Ya, which is an Australian language. The shared words cover a wide range of semantic domains (body parts, kin, human classification, language, mythology, ceremony, artefacts, topography, natural elements, marine life, qualities, locations, directions and time), though not verbs. This latter strengthens arguments about genetic diversity, however there is still much to suggest mutual influence. The common vocabulary range from "exact cognates" to words that appear related, but have undergone semantic changes, as in the following selected from a list of 250 items (Mitchell 1995) (where exact "cognates" number 62 (24.8%), partial "cognates" 26 (10%) and "cognates" with semantic differentiation number 34 (13.7%), [122 "cognates" in total, 48.8%]):
Exact "cognates" :
| WCL | MM | meaning |
| dhangal(a) | deger | "dugong" |
| bal | bar | "across/crooked" |
| gamu | gem | "body" |
| riidh(a) | lid | "bone, leaf rib" |
| saamu | sam | "cassowary" |
| thawal(a) | tawer | "coast" |
| gabu | geb | "cold(ness)" |
| ùmai | omái | "dog" |
| ngœnakap(u) | nerkep | "heart" |
| naigay(i) | naiger | "north/north-east" |
| wathai | watwet | "dry" |
partial "cognates" :
| WCL | meaning | MM | meaning |
| dhang(a) KLY dhaanga | "edge, tooth" | deg | "edge, side" |
| wati | "bad, evil" | wìt | "wrong doing" |
| mùdh(a) KLY mùùdha | "shelter, backyard, shaded place, haven" | mùd | "shade" |
| gœiga stem gœigœyi- | "sun, day" | gerger | "day" |
| wœibadh(a) | "roe" (badh(a) "food bed") | wer | "egg" |
| Baba, Baab(a) | "Dad, Daddy" | bab | "father" |
| [wœra]kapu | "one (only)" (wara "one of a group, other") | kepkep | "few" |
| karùm(a) | "goanna; clumsiness, mistake" | karom | "black skink; clumsiness, mistake" |
| ngœna | "breath, intellect, memory" | ner | "breath" |
| kaimi; kaimel, KKY kalmel | "companionship, companion, co-"; "together, along with" | kem | "company; associative (case)" |
semantic differentiation :
| WCL | meaning | MM | meaning |
| thapi | "thin piece of bark or wood, page" | tep | "fruit skin" |
| kapu | "prong" | kep | "arrow" |
| maitha | "belly" | mait | "chest" |
| susu | "white sap" | susu sus | "spray, foam" "white sap" |
| uum(a) awum(a) | "death" "mourning" | eumi (singular) baum (plural) (stem -um) | "die" |
| buudh(a) | "white paint" (for mourning) | bud | "mourning" |
| aap(a) apa- | "garden bed" "down, below, under" | sep | "earth, ground; down, below, under" |
| KKY, KulY kom(a) KKY, KulY kœman(a) KLY, MY-KY kœman(a) | "heat, burn" "steam" "heat, burn, steam" | kemur | "smoke" (ur "fire") |
| bibir(i) KLY biber(e) | "strength, power" | beber beberbeber | "weight" "heavy, weighty" |
There are also various items of semantic relationship, but not formal relationship, such as WCL puuy(i), MM lu "plant, tree; magic".
Mitchell and Piper (unpublished research notes) used the Holman et al. 40-word list below, which shows 9 (22.5%) exact items, 5 (12.5%) partial, and 3 (7.5%) semantically related words. However, this list was designed for use with Euro-Asian languages, and is perhaps somewhat inappropriate; for example, no horned animals exist, neither language has a verb ‘come’, and Holman et al. assume one form for 'we'; WCL has 4, and MM has 2.
PCD Proto Central-District Papuan Austronesian, PETrf Proto East Trans Fly; POC Proto Oceanic Austronesian; PP Proto Paman; PSEPap Proto South-East Papuan Austronesian [neighbouring languages noted : Papuan : Gizrra, Bine/Kunini, Wipi (Eastern Trans Fly Family), Kiwai (Trans-New Guinea Phylum), Idi, Agöb (Pahoturi family); Australian : Gudang, and the Northern Cape York Language, dialects : Wudhadhi, Atampaya, Angkamuthi, Yadhaykenu]
| word | MM | Gizrra | Bine | Wipi | PETrF | Kiwai | Idi/Agöb | WCL | Gudang | Urradhi | PP | PSEPap |
| louse | nem | ngüóm, ngóm | ngaamo, ngame, ngamwe | ngüɨm | *ŋamͻ | nimo | A. kabana | aari (unknown origin) | aaku tick, louse | aku tick, louse | -- | -- |
| two | neis | nis | neneni | nœmog cf. MM mog "piece" | *ni-[isV] | netewa, Bamu teibo | komblebe | ùka- "two" ùkasar(a) "two (only)" (-sar(a) "small number") | ilaabayu (cf. Y inychantu, At/A ilvan many) | Y/A udhima, At udhyama/makyaana, W aroma/adhoma | *gujarra | *drua |
| water (1) | gur "salt water" | -gul- "wash" bapür- PlOb, apür VN | atnana wash VN | gony "washing" imangena "swimming" | *gulV "water, swim, wash" | obo, Kope oru'o wash self VN | I. tetu "wash", A. bemine "sea water" | wœr~wur~uur~wœir "water" | G ungunya salt water | -- | -- | *wair "water" |
| water (2) (fresh; drink, juice) | ni | naiy, nai, nae | niye, niiye | ni, niya, nyɨ, ngi | *niya/*nayi | obo | ni | ngùki | -- | -- | *ŋugu/*ŋugi | -- |
| ear cf. hear | laip, girip | gublang, gublam | tablamo | yɨpiya, yɨpyar, yɨkɨpya, yɨrpya, irkɨpia ear; yɨpiarom, yakrom outer early | *?(+*raamo leaf) | gare ear, sepate lobe, external ear | ran ear, ika external ear, A. laandra | kaura kurusai- (in compounds) | iwunya | Y iwuny At ikuchi W iwui | *gaalu | -- |
| death | eud death; eumi Sg, baum PL "die"; bud "mourning" | büdül "dead", budül- "die" | budre death; (w)uje die | budɨ "death"; (w)uj(e) "dead, death" | *wudi "die" | odio, P para, M uparu "dead"; orisiai, M/Kerewo oihiai "die" | kududar "die" | uum(a) "death, unconsciousness" awum(a) "mourning, wailing" (for a death) buudh(a) "white paint" (traditionally used for mourning) | ithuurra/ithuulma "dead" | Y/A yuthu, At ruthu, W alghan "dead", W unga "mourn", U alga "death" | -- | -- |
| I | ka | kó | cane, kane | kon | *ka(nV) | mai | ngén, A. ngana | ngayi | Gyuba, aipaana | Y/A/At ayu(va) | *ŋayi | -- |
| liver | o | konkon (puringai) | owolaamo, uweraame | wurom, vurom, sukəp, tsɨkɨp | *ͻwͻ +*raamͻ "leaf" *siba+kapu | K/Kerewo beu, M beo M siba "heart", D sibo "heart") | A. yoa/siba/zebe | siib(a) liver; centre | iipa "heart" | Y/A yipa, At lipa, W tepa, tipa | *jiba | -- |
| eye | ponì (unknown origin) erkep | ilküp, ilkóküp | irecu | yɨr, yer "eye", yɨrkɨp, ilkɨp, yɨrtyen, yɨttwin "eyeball" | *iri "see", *kapu "seed, body part, fruit, etc." | damari, Kerewo idomai | kalye, A. yende "eye ", ikép/ikapa "eye-ball" (kép "egg") | pùrka (unknown origin) daan(a) (also "pool", "life", "kernel", "shell-food") cf. -kap(u) "body part" | daanha, rathair | Y anngal, At ipanh, A angwaa, W yeithi/yithi | -- | *dano "lake, pool" |
| hand | tag | tang, tan arm, hand | imo "hand, arm" | yɨm | *taaŋV, *iimo "hand, arm" | K tu, Bamu tuu hand, arm | tang, A. tranga | geth(a) (unknown origin) | arta | Y/At/A mata, W ara | *mara | *taŋa |
| hear | asor- | -rrkrru-, -rrkurru- | -tecij- (-tecind-~cind-) hear, ätecija VN hear/listen | utkunj~utkund- | *Vrkundi | irovidiro, Mawata erebidiro, Kope orovidio VN | A. dandarla | karnge[mi]-, kœrngai VN; kùrùsai- ear | ? | Y/A/At ami- | -- | *roŋor |
| tree (also "plant", "wood", "magic") | lu(g) "tree, plant, magic" | nugup "tree" | uli, uri "tree, plant" | wul(a), ul "tree" | *wuli, *[ln]ugu[p] "tree" | ota "tree, plant", Kope nu'a "tree" | lu, A. ra/rati-ra/ro | puuy(i), OKY puuRi; yuu "spit, skewer" | puri "tree", yuuku "wood", upiirri "medicine" | Y/At/A yuku "wood, tree, stick, log", Y/At/A upirri "sore, painful, witchcraft" | *lugu "tree, wood" | *pu[l]i magic |
| fish | lar (unknown origin) | wapi, wapui | kibu, cupya, kopae, kopäi | kabum; waji | -- | arimina/irisina food, fish; Kerewo na, Kope nai fish | kwalba | waapi (unknown origin) | waapi | Y yatpan/yadpa, A inhanyii, W nheya | -- | -- |
| name | nei | ngi, ngui | ngi | ni, niœ, nyœ | *nyilya | paina, Kerewo paena | ben, A. bena | nel Saibai variant nei | yini | At angyal, A anyii, W anyel | -- | -- |
| stone | bakìr (unknown origin) | inglkup, inglkurp | kula, kura | gli(muz), gɨmo, gɨmokɨp, kula, guma, nadi, motɨr | *kula | kura, M nora | dadar, A. dader | kùla | uulpa | Y/A aypany, At aypanh | *gul(g)an | -- |
| tooth | tìrìg cf. ereg "eat" deg "edge, side" | zirgup (gup body part, fruit, etc. | giricu; cidi "edge" | orkak or- "eat", kak "bone" dɨng "thorn" | *daŋa "tooth, edge, etc." | ibuanara, Parama iawa; K iawa "incisor" | dhéndhég "bite INF"; A. ngui, nggoia, uguwoi "tooth"; A lenge, lenga "tooth" | dhang(a) (also "edge") | ampu | Y/A ampu, At ngampu | *jaaŋa "tooth, edge, etc." | -- |
| breast (cf. mother, milk) | nano ama, apu "mum, mother, aunty" nanosus "milk" (sus "white sap", "foam") | ngum, ngiam, ngüam; aip mother | ngaamo, nono; mago "mother", yääye "Mum" | ngom, ngum, ngiam, ngɨmb, ngɨmdor; mog, ag "mother" | *ŋaamͻ "breast, mother" *maago mother *susu "breast, milk" | bodoro; aida, M maramu, Bamu onoo, Kerewo mamo mother | ngém/nono "breast"; nene "mother" | ama "mum, mother, aunty" aapu(wa) "mother, aunt" susu (also "white sap"; "loaf"), susuikai "milk" (ikai "juice, sap") |yuungu "breast, milk", athiinya "mother" | Y/At/A ungunyu "mother, breast, milk" A also awucha, yathu "milk", W nono "mother, breast" | *ŋam[u/a]ŋ "breast, mother" *juju "breast, milk" | *susu "breast, milk" |
| path | gab | kwat, kuat | gaabo, raare | nia, nga, nyau | *gaabͻ | gabo | nyénggo | yabu, KLY yaabu | alka | Y/A ulumu, At ulumu/anyaarra | ? | POC *tyapu |
| you Sg | ma | ma | maane, maano | man(a) | *ma(nV) | rai | be (S/Du/Pl) | KLY/KulY/KY ni KKY/OKY ngi | (an)tuuba/tuuba | Y/At antu(va), A antu(ba), W endouva | *ŋin/*nin | *kau |
| fire | ur | uur | ulikobo, uliobo, urikobe, ulikobe, olobo, uli, Kunini muye-uliobo | uur, [wul(a)]para | *uur, *kͻbͻ, *pVrV "fire", *wuli "tree, wood" | era, Bamu mahi | yu | mui (Boigu,KY also mœi) | uma | Y/At/A uma, W entovo | *tuma | -- |
| tongue | werut | ulit | wätä, wärtä, warta, wate | welat, we(y)at, vlat, yat | *wilͻtV | watotorope, Kerewo mototobe | A. dogmar, dangamai | nœi (unknown origin) | unt[h]aar[r]a | Y yalan, punhu, At lalan, A yalan | -- | -- |
| skin | gegur; tep skin of fruit | sopai, sopae; kwan, kuan bark | tääpo, tääpe, taape, tääpwo; uli tääpo (etc.) bark | gɨm (one dialect gunja); wul gɨm, gɨm, yug bark | *taapi | tama | thoe | gœngáw(u), KLY gœngaawu, KulY gœngáy(u) | ikwurra skin ranga bark | Y/At/A akuny skin, bark | *Cagurr |
| night | ki | irrüb, irrub, irrib | kiye, ciye | sɨwɨny, sɨwɨn, sowɨny, sɨrɨn, sowi, tsowony, sɨwɨng, sɨrɨng, sɨrɨm | *kiya | duo, Bamu duwo | A. kuteine, kwete | kubil (derived, kùbi "charcoal") | G yulpalga night, darkness | Y yupul, Y manara, At manma night, darkness, W jagula | -- | -- |
| leaf | (lu)lam (lu "plant") | lam, lang (mainly compounds), pórgae~prangai, prórngae, pórngae | laamo, racme, raame | (wulœ)rom (wulœ "tree") | *laamͻ "leaf" | ota-pasa, M ota-pea (ota tree) | oro-popo/ru-pi/ro-rual (oro/ru/ro tree, plant); (lu)pi (lu tree, plant) | niis(a) | itrara "leaf" | Y/At/A yukum yampa (yuku "tree, wood"), A ithagha, W alway; Y/At/A yampa "leaf, flower, lung"; AT yamparra, A inparra "lung" | -- | -- |
| blood | mam (unknown origin) | ói, óe | uudi | woi, woj, kus, ku | *wodi | arima, Kope ora | A. mem, mam, teia | kùlka (unknown origin) | ichunya | Y/A lukuny, At uchuny | -- | -- |
| horn | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| person | -am/-iam; le | -pam; pam, pama | -yame/-yamo; binamo, biname, binam; imä, im male, rooriye, loori "man" | -am, -iam; rɨga "man, male" leo "husband" | *pyama; *[rl]i[g]ͻ | dubu, Kerewo meréha; arubi,-rubi people, Kerewo oubi; Kope dubuiro person, man; M auana man, didiri men, mere male | la "man" | -ig(a) personal nominaliser) mabaig(a) (derived, lit. "walker", maab(a) "walk" | ama | Y/At/A ama | *bama | -- |
| knee (1) | kolo | -- | (ngawengawe elbow) | kumkak, yɨmkak elbow (kak bone) | *kͻlͻ "knee, elbow, corner" | -- | -- | kulu cf. kudu "elbow", kœru "corner" | yurtu elbow | Y/At yutu, A yurtu elbow | *yurru "elbow" | *turu "knee, elbow" |
| knee (2) | kokni kok "leg joint+?" wageb "kneecap" | wagusingül, wagósingül, wagasingól | koko/coco(rar/kaako) (rare, kaako, kak, ror "bone") | kɨ, kɨror, kum; kumop knee ball, (mop "end, head") | *kͻkͻ "leg joint" | popu knee, elbow | D tubu, tang-kum; putukupi kneecap; A tran-kwimbe elbow | kokan(i) "kneecap"; kuku inside part of knee, knee joint | iingku knee | Y/A/At wungku, W owen | PP *wuŋgu[ ] "knee" | -- |
| one/other | nerut "another" wader "some, others" (unknown origin) netat one | darrpan, dórpan "one, one of group" darrü "other" (+ -pan) | yepä, neetera one; nuuja other, another | yepa one; nɨnda other, others, some; b’enga other, another (different) | *ni+[rl]ͻtV other *[yi/dVr]pͻnV, *ni+ta[tr]V "one" | ata, Bamu kaiibi one, other, nau one | A. tupulibi | wara, war "one of group, other" (unknown origin) dhurai "some, others" wœrapùn, ùrapùn, ùrpùn (older waraponi) "one only" wara "one of group, other" + -pùn[i] | ipiyamanha inyaanha another | Y/A ipima, Y also ipinyama, At nhipima; W wema one, alone Y unya, At unyinha, wanhu, A unyinha other, different W emo other | *nyupun, *NipiyamaNa | -- |
| nose | pit "nose, beak, point (of land)" | syók | keke, cece | so, sok, sokak (kak bone) | ? | wodi, Kope modi (cf. Bamu pito hole) | A. murung, wede | piti "nose" (unknown origin; buna beak; nguur point) | iyi nose, beak | Y/A iyi, W enmoi, nundagel; At umughanhu | -- | -- |
| full | (e)osmer (lit. "protrude, show self": unknown origin) | buku, iib | puuwe | ngor full(ness) | ? | Kerewo arara'ohuai | -- | 1) gùdapœlam(a) (derived : "opening-SpecLOC+cause-VerbForm) (2) KLY/KulY/MY-KY pùsakar(a), cf. sakar "space" | mur[r]ku gorged | Y/At/A wampan full/swollen, W weithinyo full | -- | -- |
| come (1) | ta-, te-, ti-, t- | to'-, tü- | t- (s- allophone) | t- irrealis; ik-, -itk-, -etk- come, tu[i]- Pl, menamena, menon go, come VN | *ta "come, approach" | -ogu-, Kerewo -oho-, Kope -o'u- go, come | -be- | ngapa TR/INTR adverb, cf. nga- 1st person, pa- telic, -pa dative bœi INTR adverb, cf. pœipai, KKY bœi "nearside" | impiibinhu come, approach (-nhu DAT), ainpirra go | Y/A/W ana, At ana/anma go, come | -- | -- |
| come (2) (imperative) | taba (ta-ba "come-INTR"), maiem (?+ALL) | -- | tädi M, tocli F | ayo | -- | -- | abe Sg, yebe PL; A yau | aye, KKY aya imperative adverb (Malay or similar loan : ayo, ayu) | -- | -- | -- | *mai "come" |
| star | wer | wimurr | wale, walo, gugie, griga (see sun, day) | ikui, ɨki, ɨkwi, guje (one dialect bedam) | *wa[rl]i | gugi, M zogubo, Kope oroi'io | A. piro, kwatai | Wœœy(i), OKY WœœRi "Venus" thithúy(i), KLY thithuuyi, OKY thithúRi; zugub(a) constellation, significant star | uunpi | Y/At/A unpi, At wintamwintama (avoidance) | -- | *waRi sun PSEPap*pituqon, PCD *pitui, *pitiu, *pitiriu "star" |
| hill | paser | podo hill, dorro high ground | podo, doro hill, doro mainland, shore | podo, dor hill | *pͻntͻ[r], *doro | podo, Mawata also damera; idodoro cliff | I. duidui, A. pad | paad(a) (also "top, height, crest, peak "); baudhar(a) mountain, peak | pada | Y yantal, At rantal, A yantaa; W mara mountain | *baanda "top" | *pantar "hill, mountain" |
| bone, leaf rib | lid | kus | kaako, kaake, caace bone; raare bone, rare shell, spoon | kak, kaak, kagɨ kak, kaga bone, stick, (hard) piece, stalk; ror bone (in compounds) | *riida/*raadi "bone, leaf rib" | soro, M kako | A. kwetr/kut | riidh(a) | athirra | Y/At/A apudha, A avoidance ikyalitha, W watha/ua | -- | -- |
| we inclusive | mi, mer- inclusive | mi | mine | men, mɨn | *mi(ni) | nimo, Kerewo imo [exc and inc.] | ybi | ngœba dual inclusive ngalpa plural inclusive | ? | Y/At/A ali(va) DU, ana(va) PL | *ŋali inclusive; *ŋana(pula) (dual) exclusive | *kita |
| we exclusive | ki, ker- exclusive | ki | kine, cine | sɨn | *ki(ni) | nimo, Kerewo imo [exc and inc.] | bi, A. ba | ngalbai, KKY ngalbe, archaic KulY ngœibai, dual exclusive ngœi, ngœlmù-, KKY/MY-KY ngœimù-, OKY ngœRi(mù-) plural exclusive | aaku | Y/A/At ampu(la) | *ŋali inclusive; *ŋana(pula) (dual) exclusive | *kami |
| drink (verb) | iri | -(a)nan- | ene- | -ona-~-ena- Sg, anain- NSg | *ini/ani/ina | Kope idio drink, odio he is drinking | A. ine/ngi -ni-/-na- drink water (-ni/na- eat) | wani- (unknown origin; derived? < wanai- "put" active stem) | ungkenka drink | Y/At ungye, A ungya drink, eat; W ical drink | -- | -- |
| see, find | dasmer, erdar (stem er-) | -sen- see | -pän, pan- see, find, ire see VN | yɨr -ong- (ong bite), yɨr -a- see, look, yeri-, yiry-, oraka VN find, search, ɨdar Sg, adar NSg find | *ira see | eáuri see VN | -ndee- see | iima- | angkanya find | W iangin find | *kiima "see" | -- |
| new | kerkar | küsil, küsül, kósil new; kari, karian little, small | kirece, mamye, cireni, mamie~karte new; matimati, matikäli, matikolä, matikola, matikari, geglo little, small | sisel, sisɨl | *kari[kari]/*kira[kira] | oliómoto | -- | kayin(a) | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| dog | omai | umai, umae, ume | drenggo, drego, drengo | yongg, yongk, yongga, yangg, yoorɨnk | *omái | Kerewo kaukau, Kope umu | dréngg | ùmai | ingkud[h]iinya | Y/At/A utagha | *gudaga | -- |
| sun, day | gerger "day, daylight" lìm "sun" | abüs, óbüs | bimu, abeji, abweji, abuji; gugie, griga "star" | bibɨr day, lom, lomkongga, lemkogal, ganggal sun (konga, kogal "woman") | *limͻ/*lͻmi | M iwio, Parama ivio, Kerewo hewio, Kope hivio sun; sai day | yébodh sun | gœiga, gœygœyi-, gœigi-, OKY gœRigaR(i) | inga | Y/At/A wunga, W unga, W mungbatho day | *gari, *wuŋa | -- |

## Recent loans

The main source of loan words to the language since the mid 1800s has been Yumplatòk (Torres Strait Creole) and English. There are also some minor loans from Lifu/Drehu, Polynesian (in particular Samoan and to a lesser extent Rotuman), Indonesian, Philippine, Japanese, and European origin. Many such outsiders were recruited – or in some rare cases black-birded – in the 19th century for pearl diving and other marine work, while others (from Lifu and Samoa) were missionaries with the British and Foreign Bible Society.

## Dialects

The language is currently dialectless. However, there was once a separate dialect spoken on Erub and Ugar islands, characterised in part by the retention of phonemic distinctions between 'ng', 'g', 'n' and 'r' where these have fallen together in two ways in Meriam Mir. The sound 'ng' in Modern Meriam has become 'n' at the beginning of words and 'g' within words; 'n' in many cases has become 'r' within words. Examples are remembered in one important Erub folktale (Lawrie 1970:283–284):
Erub : Aka nade ki andinane? Ge au?
Mer : Aka nade ki ardirare? Ge au?
Where will we put it? There?
Erub : Mena inggandane/ingandane! Keniba uzen unken a keniba imut unken.
Mer : Mena igardare! Keriba uzer urker a keriba imut urker.
Keep carrying it! Our paddles and our poling poles are still strong.
The earliest records (early 19th century) of Meriam Mìr included the phrase debelang good taste/nice, in present-day Meriam Mìr debe lag. This shows that the 'ng' > 'n'/'g' change is of fairly recent date; lang, now lag, is identical to the Gizrra lang of the same meaning.

## Phonology
### Vowels

| | Front | Back |
| High | i ⟨i⟩ | u ⟨u⟩ |
| Near-high | ɪ ⟨ì⟩ | ʊ ⟨ù⟩ |
| Mid | e, ɛ ⟨e⟩ | o ⟨o⟩ |
| Low | a, ʌ ⟨a⟩ | ɔ ⟨o⟩⟨ò⟩ |
The sounds represented by [a] and [ʌ] are allophonic. [ʌ] appears mainly in syllables before the stress accent and optionally in open unstressed syllables otherwise. [a] appears in stressed syllables and in unstressed closed syllables.
For some speakers the following pairs exhibit variation, and perhaps have unidentified allophonic variation: [e], [ɛ] and [ɪ] (mainly Erub/Ulag), [ɪ] and [i] (mainly Mer), [u] and [ʊ], [ʊ] and [o], and [o] and [ɔ]. Older speakers appear to keep the vowels more distinct.

### Consonants

| | | Bilabial | Alveolar | Palatal | Velar |
| Stop | Voiceless | p | t | | k |
| Stop | Voiced | b | d | | ɡ |
| Nasal | Nasal | m | n | | |
| Fricative | Voiceless | | s | | |
| Fricative | Voiced | | z | | |
| Lateral | Lateral | | l | | |
| Tap | Tap | | ɾ | | |
| Semivowel | Semivowel | w | | j | |
/ɾ/ is heard as [ɹ] when occurring before or after consonants.

### Stress

Stress is contrastive in Meriam and can occur on the first or second syllable. Examples include tábo 'snake', tabó 'neck'.

## Sign language

The Torres Strait Islanders have signed forms of their languages, though it is not clear from records that they are particularly well-developed compared to other Australian Aboriginal sign languages.