The article discusses the premises of the systemic typology of Gennadij Prokop’evič Mel’nikov in comparison with the precepts of the sociolinguistic typology of Peter Trudgill. The author, in particular, looks into the correlation of linguistic patterning and societal structures as presented in the two theories, and offers a detailed synopsis of the societal factors and their valuables (external determinants) used in the respective disciplines. Detailed discussion of the societal factors as presented in the systemic and social typologies is offered. Major differences between their classifications in Mel’nikov and Trudgill are substantiated. Finally, based on the postulates of Mel’nikov’s typology, the paper dwells on the concept of internal determinant or, the communicative scope which optimizes all the levels of language system, while co-varying types of social structures with types of linguistic patterning.