How Children Think & Learn
I found in the book 'How Children Think & Learn' published in 1988, that Bernstein found there were two different codes. The elaborated and restricted code are how Bernstein describes the way that the two different classes typically speak. The restricted code is typically working class, they use short sentences with a smaller range of vocabulary. They tend to use one word answers and gestures. Elaborated code is typically middle class and involves longer sentences, context free conversations with a wider range of vocabulary. Bernstein believes that children are socialised by their parents to use one of these codes depending on their class.
I could test this by talking to children from different social classes and recording a conversation with them. I would then analyse the language they used and compare it after.
If this was not possible I could record a conversation with older people e.g. a group of teenagers of a certain class, to see if the stereotype fits Bernstein's predictions.
you could also test how the children are similar to the parents as they could have brought their language into the classroom too
ReplyDeleteYou could also see if other facts influence the children's speech code. For example their parents education.
ReplyDeleteInteresting but tricky to pin down class and find out parents' level of education. Ethically problematic but you might be able to find a way. If you are comparing groups, always try and get as many comparability factors as possible e.g. discuss the same picture for the same amount of time etc. Try and ensure the thing you are comparing e.g. gender, is the only difference as far as possbible e.g. same social, regional, age, cultural backgrounds etc.
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