Solos
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A language of Papua New Guinea
Alternate Names
Toros
Autonym
Sumoun
User Population
8,830 (2000 census).
Location
Bougainville province: central and southwest Buka island.
Language Maps
Language Status
6b (Threatened).
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%. Newspapers. TV.
Christian.