Bernstein Restricted and Elaborated Codes (1971)

The construct of elaborated and restricted language codes was introduced by Basil Bernstein in 1971 and was stimulated by his experience teaching in further education. The codes further explained that working-class pupils' performance in English-based subjects was relatively poor; whereas, they were achieving middle-class counterparts on mathematical-based subjects.

There are two different codes :

• The restricted code - was assumed to be suitable to insiders who shared assumptions and common understandings about the topic at hand
• The elaborated code did not assume that the listener shared these common assumptions or understandings. Therefore elaborated language describes the person’s arrangement of language used as much more descriptive, complex and thorough - to enable outsiders to the conversation to understand more clearly.
• In the case of an elaborated code, the speaker will select from a relatively extensive range of alternatives.
• In the case of a restricted code the number of these alternatives is often severely limited.

An example of Bernstein's research:
Bernstein asked a group of young children describe a scene from a comic strip. He recorded their replies and saw how their use and arrangement of language differed - labelling each as restricted and elaborated
Some of the young children : "They're playing football
                                    and he kicks it and it goes through there
                                    it breaks the window and they're looking at it
                                    and he comes out
                                    and shouts at them
                                    because they've broken it
                                    so they've run away
                                    and then she looks out
                                    and she tells them off"

How the others described the comic strip :

                                  "Three boys are playing football and one boy kicks the ball

                                    and it goes through the window
                                    and the boys are looking at it
                                    and a man comes out and shout at them
                                    because they've broken the window
                                    so they run away
                                    and then that lady looks out of her window
                                    and she tells the boys off."

• restricted code requires the presence of someone from within the same social group or restricted community  as they must have background knowledge to be able to understand.
• However, elaborated code spells everything out to outside parties and is necessary so that everyone can understand.

Bibliography

http://www.doceo.co.uk/background/language_codes.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Bernstein