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This article approaches linguistic variation by focusing on issues of interaction ( “proximity” between speakers). The aim is to show how this approach makes it possible to take into account phenomena which escape analysis if we ignore what happens between speakers, beyond traditional considerations on variation. While the identity of speakers and the type of recordings, which give rise to traditional classes, are essential data, the relationship between speakers is just as important. The degree of connivance and shared knowledge can mitigate the formal nature of interviews. To illustrate this point of view, we will consider a particular form of reported speech observed in the MPF corpus. The analysis of discourse particles highlights the need to extend the range of parameters considered in order to analyze the data collected.