Theories of education and schooling - Education and cultural reproduction
3 important questions on Theories of education and schooling - Education and cultural reproduction
In the study on language and social class, Basil Bernstein (1975) argued that the speech of working-class children represents a restricted code.
What does he mean with a 'restricted code?'
- A restricted code is a type of speech tied to its cultural setting.
- I.e., in a restricted code, language is only used for practical matters; things such as norms and values are taken for granted.
- When a child does something wrong, a parent using restricted code would only say 'No more sweets for you' instead of explaining why the child can't eat any more sweets (because they're unhealthy).
In the study on language and social class, Basil Bernstein (1975) argued that the speech of middle-class children represents a elaborated code.
What is an elaborated code?
- A style of speaking in which the meanings of words can be individualized to suit the demands of the particular situations.
- Children using this type of code are able more easily to express abstract ideas.
- Therefore, such children are more able to deal with the demands of academic education systems.
What can you tell about the classic study of Basil Bernstein (1975) on language and social class?
- Because children from a working-class family use a different language code (restricted code) than middle-class children (elaborated code), they have a disadvantage in grasping the study material.
- Because the academic world uses elaborated code speech.
The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:
- A unique study and practice tool
- Never study anything twice again
- Get the grades you hope for
- 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
