Using what you now know about language and social class, and examples from your own personal experience, how do you think that social class affects language usage?

I believe that the class system sets boundaries for human behaviour, therefore helps to determine how people converse with others through language. Society expects the upper middle classes to maintain a far more sophisticated expression in comparison to the working class because of the superior wealth, education and influence the higher classes tend to have over their lower counterparts. As a result, the upper middle classes are encouraged to adopt an elaborated code which consists of a wide range of vocabulary and complex syntax. This code has connotations of intellect and authority: two qualities that are very desirable within high-end social classes. Basil Bernstein's research into elaborated code illustrates how expression is focused on individuality rather than establishing group relationships, as shown through the prominent use of first person pronouns. This alone outlines.....

In contrast, the working class often endorse restricted code which is the antithesis of elaborated code.  







The media can help to set a desirable image for each social class to admire: encouraging people to adopt specific language to replicate this image. In 1960s America, the media constantly exposed the upper middle classes to broadcasts from the BBC. Back then, it was common perception that British pronunciation was more refined and prestige in comparison to typical American speech: hence, the higher classes wanted to imitate British expression to emphasise sophistication. William Labov's 1966 Department Store Study explores the 'social stratisfication of the post-vocalic 'r' '