In today's world, Torres–Banks languages is a topic that arouses great interest and debate in society. For a long time, Torres–Banks languages has been a focal point of discussion between experts and ordinary citizens, generating conflicting opinions and creating an environment of uncertainty. Over time, Torres–Banks languages has evolved and has become a topic of great relevance today, impacting people's lives in different ways. Given this reality, it is important to thoroughly analyze Torres–Banks languages and its implications, in order to understand its impact on society and make informed decisions on this issue.
Group of related Oceanic languages in northern Vanuatu
Kalyan & François (2018: 81) identified the following best-supported subgroups (in decreasing order of genealogical closeness):
Mwotlap – Volow
Hiw – Lo-Toga
Vurës – Mwesen
Lemerig – Vera'a
Koro – Olrat – Lakon
Dorig – Koro – Olrat – Lakon
Olrat – Lakon
Lehali – Löyöp – Mwotlap – Volow
15 Banks languages together (Lehali – Löyöp – Mwotlap – Volow – Lemerig – Vera'a – Vurës – Mwesen – Mota – Nume – Dorig – Koro – Olrat – Lakon – Mwerlap)
It is possible that the strict common ancestor of any two members of the Torres–Banks linkage is Proto-Oceanic itself.: 188 Evidence of this is found in the preservation of final consonants in Lakon (via a now-lost paragogic vowel), consonants which were lost in most other languages.: 200
The common ancestor of all Torres-Banks languages is called Proto-Torres–Banks, viewed here as a mutually-intelligible chain of dialects within the Torres and Banks islands.: 190
—— (2007), "Noun articles in Torres and Banks languages: Conservation and innovation"(PDF), in Siegel, Jeff; Lynch, John; Eades, Diana (eds.), Language Description, History and Development: Linguistic indulgence in memory of Terry Crowley, Creole Language Library 30, Amsterdam: Benjamins, pp. 313–326