Theorist: Basil Bernstein

Griffin summary: Through ethnography of communication we know all cultures have multiple speech codes that involve a distinctive psychology, sociology, and rhetoric. The meaning of a speech code is determined by speakers and listeners, and is woven into speech itself. Artful use of the code can explain, predict, and control talk about talk.

Speech Code Theory refers to a framework for communication in a given speech community. As an academic discipline, it explores the manner in which groups communicate based on societal, cultural, gender, occupational or other factors.

Speech codes are historically enacted, socially constructed system of terms, premises, and rules pertaining to communicative conduct.

When we talk, we are also communicating—we speak in patterns.

A speech code is a system of socially constructed symbols and meanings, premises, and rules, pertaining to communicative conduct. This is a general theory that relates communication with culture.