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Efforts to preserve the unique hybrid language of Norfolk Island have been bolstered with recognition of its distinctiveness by the United Nations.
Norfolk Island's strange blend of 18th century English and Tahitian - known as Norf'k - will be included by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in the next edition of its Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger of Disappearing.
In recent decades Norf'k has been under threat from the influence of television and radio, intermarriage with English speakers and the annual influx of thousands of Australian and New Zealand tourists.
The subtropical island - which is part of Australia but maintains a fierce sense of autonomy - is determined that the language should not become extinct.
Two years ago its tiny nine-member legislative assembly declared Norf'k an official language, alongside English, and the island's 300 children are being taught it in school.
Unesco listing will help raise the language's profile, island leaders hope.
Peter Maywald, Norfolk Island's Government Secretary, said the Unesco listing would enable the island to apply for funds to help encourage the teaching of Norf'k.
"It gives us more clout in terms of protecting the language," he said. "At present we spend about A$100,000 a year on cultural writing programmes and on teaching the language in the island school.
"It's undergoing a renaissance. People are more interested in their culture and historical roots than they were before."
"The advice from Unesco is a significant step in building recognition of the unique language and culture of Norfolk Island," said chief minister Andre Nobbs.
"It is one of the rarest languages in the world. We're looking at as many ways as possible to reinvigorate our culture."
The creole evolved as a means of communication between the HMS Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives and male companions.
After rebelling against Captain William Bligh, Fletcher Christian and his mutineers settled in 1790 on remote Pitcairn Island, halfway between New Zealand and South America.
But in 1856 the entire population of Pitcairn was moved to Norfolk because of overcrowding.
Today around half of Norfolk Island's 2000 inhabitants are descended from the Pitcairners and continue to speak Norf'k.
To outsiders it is almost incomprehensible, although pronouncing words slowly helps to untangle their meaning.
"Daad'wieh" means "that is the way", for instance, and "daaset" means "that's it".
"Whataway yorle?", a common greeting, means "how are you?", and "where-bout you-gwen" means "where are you going?"
Other words are from archaic English - "wattles" means food, derived from "victuals". The English word "children" has evolved into "sillen".
Speaking Norf'k - some words and phrases
watawieh = hello
kushu = I'm fine
naawi = swimming
tiicha = teacher
Fut you ally comey diffy and do daffy? = Why are you behaving that way?
I gwen out yena f'porpieh = I'm going out yonder to get some guavas.
Wan kau f' mais bradhas s' orf aut = My brother's cow has got out
Hi es kain a' huihuiwan = He's somewhat dirty
Dem hihi andasaid em stoen = The periwinkles are under the rocks
Kat krors aa paedak aafta tii en wi gu sing = Cut across the paddock after tea and come for a singsong
Orl em ailan haendikraaft iin a' shoe hau gud des iya! = How good the island handicrafts are in this year's show!
Source: Speak Norfolk Today, by Alice Buffett, 1999
