On the syntactic side, the editing process allows us to see a language variety in the making, actually on the production line. We identify what kinds of structures are typically affected by editing rules, and what opera- tions the rules perform. We can see whether the application of any rules is influenced by extra-linguistic factors. Do certain editors, or certain radio stations, favour paticular rules? Are editing rules merely optional, or are they variable rules? The next section deals with these questions.