Australian Aboriginal languages are highly diverse. There are nearly 100 Aboriginal languages in everyday use, but only 20 of these are strong in the sense that they have large communities of speakers and children are learning them as their first language.
Most Aboriginal people speak English as their first or second language.
After English, Kriol is the most widely spoken language - it is spoken from the Kimberley across to northwest Queensland. Many of Australia's Aboriginal languages face a bleak future, although there are vigorous efforts by communities to retain their language heritage wherever possible. However, all Aboriginal languages are in danger because of the decline in number of speakers and with many it is only older people who still speak the language. There is a tremendous loss of cultural pride and sense of identity for communities that lose their language - one of the saddest and most moving experiences is to talk to an old person who is the last surviving speaker of their language.