In Chapter 7, the five phonological variables were correlated with the socioeconomic index developed by Mobilization for Youth (MFY) to analyze the social structure of the Lower East Side. All five of the variables entered into regular structures, or near-regular structures. Not all of the variables participated in identical structures, and we found that the most clear-cut stratification was obtained in each case by using slightly different cutting points. The variable (r) showed the finest stratification; (th) and (dh) showed the sharpest differentiation of the class scale into two distinct halves; (æh) showed only slight class differentiation with considerable internal fluctuation; (oh) followed a curvilinear distribution, with the two center classes at the peak.

We also found that patterns of stylistic and class differentiation divided the variables into two types: (th) and (dh), in which the relations of the classes in all styles were relatively constant; and (r), (æh), and (oh), in which the lower middle class showed an abrupt crossing of the upper middle class line in the more formal styles. The behavior of (æh) and (oh) was very similar, except for the fact that the lower class does not share in the (oh) structure of stylistic and social variation. This view of linguistic differentiation seems satisfactory, not only because a difference has been found in the linguistic behavior of various classes, but because the evidence is consistent with our knowledge of the linguistic history of the city, based on the writings of Babbitt, Thomas, Frank, and Hubbell. The suggestions of linguistic change afforded by the evidence of Chapter 7 will be spelled out in detail in Chapter 9.