Language and social class.

Monday 12th September 2016.

Features of restricted code:

• Short and simple sentences.
• Limited vocabulary.
• Frequent use of expressions such as "you know" often.

Features of elaborated code:

• Complex sentences, including subordination.
• Extended vocabulary
• More use of the first person pronoun "I".

Research suggests that teachers speak in an elaborated code and this accounts for the poor performance of the working class in education. Certain pronounciations of words can be due to social class and prestige.

Working…