basil bernstein elaborate + restricted codes

Question 1

What is Bernstein’s theory?

Answer 1

individuals from different social classes have varying degrees of exposure to and mastery of elaborated and restricted codes of communication.

Question 2

What is an elaborated code?

Answer 2

• refers to the language used in formal situations.
• teachers, textbooks, and exam papers use this kind of language.
• it is characterised by its use of a wide range of vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and precise grammatical conventions.
• often associated with people from higher social classes who have had access to formal education.

Question 3

What is a restricted code?

Answer 3

• refers to the language used in informal situations and close-knit communities.
• It is characterised by its use of simpler vocabulary, shorter sentence structures, and less precise grammatical conventions.
• often associated with individuals from lower social classes who may not have had access to formal education.

Question 4

What does Bernstein argue that these two codes reflect?

Answer 4

• these two codes reflect the different experiences/cultural values of different social classes.
• the use of a particular code can affect a person’s social mobility/ opportunities.

Question 5

Examples of restricted code:

Answer 5

• adding filler words and phrases into a conversation: ‘you know’, ‘right?’
• using less formal or more colloquial linguistic forms:
  ‘how ya doing?’
  ‘what you up to?’

Question 6

Examples of elaborate code:

Answer 6

• using fuller and more detailed sentences, ‘Today I am going to do some grocery shopping because the fridge is empty.’
• using more uncommon vocabulary words/synonyms:
  ‘The old man was being particularly CANTANKEROUS.’
  ‘The sunset is quite INEFFABLE tonight; I’ve never seen such beautiful colours!’