This study is divided into two major sections. The first, the study of language in a sociolinguistic perspective, includes: (1) an analysis of the attitudes associated with linguistic variation, and a review of (2) studies conducted in French Quebec, (3) the linguistic and cultural deficit theories, (4) the theory of cross-linguistic and cross-cultural differences, and (5) the theory of linguistic adaptation. The second section reports on the research conducted in the study. Areas reviewed are methodology, the physical distribution in Quebec, choice of informants, the role of the researcher, and the interviewing of students and parents. These interviews sought to determine the attitudes of preadolescent, adolescent, and ten year old students in two different quarters of Quebec. The discussion of results includes a transcription of an individual interview and sample questionnaires. The results indicate that the students expressed attitudes reflecting different levels of French language proficiency when comparing their own speech to their concept of a norm of proficiency. In analyzing variation in language use in both quarters of Quebec, it is concluded that linguistic behavior is tied into the social function of the speakers. (JK)