Chapter 6

This chapter discusses different language codes. Children learn these codes at a young age because of socialization. These codes are used to describe a word without using the actual word. One type of language code is an elaborated code. Elaborated codes have universalistic meanings, so a specific word could have infinite meanings. Because elaborated codes are so broad, they have potential to change. Elaborated codes could mean different things to different people, because everyone is so distant and they speak in different ways. Sometimes, people can evoke deep thought for some while using these articulated symbols. Another type of code is a restricted code, which is more particular and specific. These type of codes are tied to a local social structure and have condensed symbols. For this reason, restricted codes are not likely to be misused. Therefore, they do not require deep thought because they are straight and to the point. An important part of this reading is the understanding that restricted codes draw upon metaphor and elaborated codes draw upon rationality. If a term is more concise, then it is likely to be a restricted code, because it has a restricted meaning. If something requires reason, then it is an elaborated code, because ideas can be elaborated upon.

This theory by Basil Bernstein is controversial because Bernstein claims that parents of different social classes raise their children to speak and think differently based on these two codes. Elaborated codes have a more complex grammar, the vocabulary is varied, there is a sentence structure complex, they are logical, and they are usually used by the middle class. Restricted codes have simple grammar, the vocabulary is uniform, the sentence structure is simple, they are emotional, and they are usually used by working classes. I agree with these rationalizations because middle class is more likely to be educated than working classes, and therefore the conversations at home will shape their children's minds on how to think. Since working classes use a restricted code, words will not not have as many meanings as those in an elaborated code. Therefore, children who are raised learning restricted codes will not be able to interpret ideas and different meanings of words. As children grow up, these codes shape their perspectives on different things throughout their life.

In our ad, there are elaborated codes. There are different meanings that can be interpreted when viewing shards of glass in popsicles. It is supposed to show how hazardous cigarettes are to your health. The man in the commercial says the best way to eat a popsicle with shards of glass in it is to not eat it at all. This is a parody because it is saying that the best way to smoke a cigarette or use tobacco is to not do it at all. There is no good that can come out of it. They are targeting this commercial towards smokers. This is to show smokers the reality of how hazardous smoking and tobacco really is.