<P> It is generally assumed that non-standard language is low - prestige language . However, in certain groups, such as traditional working - class neighborhoods, standard language may be considered undesirable in many contexts . This is because the working class dialect is generally considered a powerful in - group marker, and especially for non-mobile individuals, the use of non-standard varieties (even exaggeratedly so) expresses neighborhood pride and group and class solidarity . There will thus be a considerable difference in use of non-standard varieties when going to the pub or having a neighborhood barbecue (high), and going to the bank (lower) for the same individual . </P> <P> Studies in the field of sociolinguistics typically take a sample population and interview them, assessing the realisation of certain sociolinguistic variables . </P> <P> A commonly studied source of variation is regional dialects . Dialectology studies variations in language based primarily on geographic distribution and their associated features . Sociolinguists concerned with grammatical and phonological features that correspond to regional areas are often called dialectologists . </P> <P> There are several different types of age - based variation one may see within a population . They are vernacular of a subgroup with membership typically characterized by a specific age range, age - graded variation, and indications of linguistic change in progress . </P>

A representation of the speech patterns of a particular region or social group
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