The stylistic competence of Franco-Ontarian U students (N = 36) was tested by having them listen to stimulus tapes composed of 3 texts prepared in 2 styles: formal & popular. Phonological, syntactic, & lexical properties were varied according to stylistic level; a questionnaire of 5-point semantic-differential-type scales was then given to the Ss. It was shown that Franco-Ontarian students have limited passive competence in the recognition of appropriate stylistic usage. Observation suggested that Ss usually did not vary their own speech in different social settings. 4 Tables. I. Mielonen