In relation particularly to the studies of sociolinguistic competence
and the study abroad experience, individual differences also seem to be an
important factor, which interact with others such as level of proficiency
and amount of contact with natives. De Keyser suggests that personality
differences, for instance, can influence the amount of contact with natives
sought by the learner. Regan’s study of the acquisition of sociolinguistic
norms found important individual variation between the speakers. This
individual variation between the speakers may be due in part simply to
the fact that there will always be variation in all sociolinguistic sampling,
but there were also differences between the speakers’ experience which
would account for some of the variation. For instance, the amount of contact
with native speakers in interactive situations varied with the individual.
This information was elicited both by the interviews, which contained
much detail about the experience abroad, and also by a questionnaire
filled in by the students after their return. Issues addressed in the
questionnaire and the interviews included: number of years of study, previous
trips to French-speaking countries, place of residence abroad, (university
residence, with a native family, separate apartment) amount of contact
with natives, attitude to native speakers. The study identifies group
patterns as well as individual variation among the speakers. It demonstrates
that while individual variation undoubtedly exists in relation to
learners, in this instance, after the stay in France, there was less variation
between individuals. They were more similar in relation to this particular
variable at least, after a year abroad. Now they are all deleting ne to a
noticeable extent (though, of course, variation between them still exists).