A couple of contrastive points can be given to show important contributions of sociolinguistics to linguistics. First, we observe that traditional linguistics emphasizes a formal analysis of language, whereas sociolinguistics calls for a muti-faceted study of language as well so that a more balanced research framework can be achieved. Second, we notice that traditional linguistics focuses much on the study of structure, whereas sociolinguistics linguistics emphasizes the study of function as well so that a holistic study of linguistic issues will be possible. Third, traditional linguistics attempts to look at internalized elements of language, whereas sociolinguistics pays attention to externalized factors in language as well so that a better understanding of the relationships between language, society and speaker can be achieved.

本题考查社会语言学的重要意义， 可以从社会语言学作为宏观语言学的一个分支， 与传统语言学在研究角度和侧重点方面的差异进行分析。