Who theorised restricted and elaborated speech codes?
Basil Bernstein
what is restricted code?
language used by family and friends in informal settings, less standard grammar, relies on being close to the people you’re speaking to. Associated with W/C speech
what is elaborated code?
more formal and standard language, more explicit. No assumptions of shared background or prior knowledge, suitable for outsiders and discussing unfamiliar ideas. Associated with the M/C
What did Bernstein claim?
Both codes are useful and neither is wrong
restricted code is economical, conveying a vast amount of meaning with a fewwords
elaborated code spells everythingout, it is complete and full of detail
all families use restricted code, but working class speakers tend to only use restricted code
the language used in schools is mainly elaborated code, Bernstein argued this gives middleclass children an advantage
