ABSTRACT
The categorization of language into temporal dialects is a traditional, and seemingly natural, part of linguistic study. Social status, depending upon the society in question, can be achieved or ascribed, revealing horizontal or vertical divisions. Social and standard dialects are often confused because they are interpreted only in terms of prestige. Idiolect is a more 'accessible' variety than the others since abstractions made are characteristic of a single speaker and not those features shared by many. This 'accessibility', however, does not make idiolect easier to isolate and describe. Variation within an idiolect will also reflect developmental processes of the individual as he 'learns' his own language. It will reflect personal experience certainly and also changes in values and ideology. The isolation and description of an idiolect would naturally require a detailed examination of a much larger corpus. The conscious style can take on an existence in addition to idiolect when the latter becomes parody or caricature.
