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 operations
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.