Solos | Ethnologue

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639: sol
Alternate Names: Toros
Autonym: Sumoun
Population: 8,830 (2000 census).
Location:: Bougainville province: central and southwest Buka island.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Meso Melanesian, New Ireland, South New Ireland-Northwest Solomonic, Nehan-North Bougainville, Solos
Dialects: Mainland Solos, Nora Solos, Peit Solos, Coastal Solos (Hetal, Kahule, Pokai Tung).
Language Use: In all villages except one, Solos is the first language learned and used. In one village, Tok Pisin [tpi] is the first language learned and used, and children do not speak Solos well. Mixed use with Tok Pisin [tpi] in most domains. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. All also use Tok Pisin [tpi]. Many also use Petats [pex], especially adults. Some also use English [eng]. Some also use Halia [hla]. Used as L2 by Petats [pex].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 50%–75%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Taught in primary schools. Newspapers. TV.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Solos
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian.

Location: Bougainville province: central and southwest Buka island.