The purpose of this paper is to examine some issues concerning linguistic norms and language variations with special emphasis on the Standard of Korean Discourse(SKD). First of all, this paper starts with some theoretical and general considerations on linguistic norms and language variations, especially on their types, characteristics and correlation. Secondly, the establishing process, content and significance of the SKD as a linguistic norm are investigated. And then, some problems of language variation in the SKD are also examined through meticulous discussion about selection of linguistic variables, setting and subclassification of parameters, criteria for selection of normative form and so on. Finally, this paper presents a new possibility of the SKD as a rational and persuasive linguistic norm.

I. 머리말
 II. 언어 규범과 언어 변이
 III. 언어 규범으로서의 표준 화법
 IV. 표준 화법에서의 언어 변이 문제
 V. 맺음말

• 조태린(국립국어원)