Variation is central to language and variation in the native speech
community is a feature of what the second language learner must grasp.
First language literature and variation linguistics tells us that children are
sensitive from a very early age to sociolinguistic speech norms (Roberts
and Labov 1995). As we have seen earlier, a central tenet of a variationist
approach to language is that the alternative forms of linguistic elements
do not occur randomly. Their occurrence is due to the type of linguistic
entity itself, style, and social factors. The position of the entity in relation
to the evolution of language and language change is also important in the
context of its appearance. The native speaker makes the choice between
linguistic forms in a predictable way. The second language learner must
ultimately move towards similar choices to those of the native speaker. A
knowledge of community speech norms is important for the learner if s/he
is to be accepted as a member of that community.