Sociolinguistics is characterized by a concern for viewing language variation and for seeing language in real social contexts. It has a high potential for relationship and application to other fields such as education, sociology, and psychology. Sociolinguistics try to study the speech of a community, and instead of studying the presence or absence of given features in the community, they feel that much can be learned by seeing such features on a continuum. This continuum does not distinguish between right language and wrong language. Each item of the continuum has the potential for appropriateness and accuracy if the proper context is discovered. The point is also made that a speaker may intentionally select forms which, in some other context, would be considered stigmatized. An example is cited of a young boy who deliberately chose to read orally in a monotonous, mechanical way, because he felt that reading with expression would label him a "sissy." It is noted that speakers also make unintentional selection of stigmatized language, as in the use of hypercorrections. Sociolinguistics also study the subject reactions of people to language produced by others. The results of these studies should prove to be important for language teaching and planning. (Author/PM)