Perceptual and Verbal Discriminations of 'Elaborated' and 'Restricted' Code Users

Abstract

Previous tests of the validity of Bernstein's distinction between 'elaborated' and ' restricted' codes have used social class as an independent variable and continuous speech or writing obtained in only slightly structured situations as dependent variables. For this investigation of six year old working class girls, two less inferential independent variables were used: induced change resultant upon participation in a language programme for over four terms and naturally occurring linguistic variation found in speech samples taken when the subjects were five years old. The dependent variables were measures of attentiveness, errors of perceptual discrimination, efficiency of perceptual discrimination, and efficiency of verbalization of discriminations made. Participation in the language programme and ` elaboratedness ' of code in the speech sample were related primarily to the efficiency of verbalization.