Basil Bernstein’s Deficit Hypothesis and the linguistic differences of Turkish children
living in Germany
Journal Name:
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi
| Author Name | University of Author | Faculty of Author |
|---|---|---|
Abstract (2. Language):
The present study aims to explain and discuss the linguistic differences of 4th or 5th grade Turkish elementary
children living in Germany according to Basil Bernstein’s Deficit Hypothesis. In the Deficit Hypothesis, Bernstein
suggests that people belonging to the middle or high class use a different kind of language from speakers belonging
to the low class. The language of the middle-class child has something which the language of the lower-class child
lacks. A restricted code has a limited vocabulary and a limited range of grammatical constructions. An elaborated
code, in contrast, possesses a large vocabulary and a wide range of grammatical constructions.Bernstein’s deficit
hypothesis holds that working-class children have access only to the restricted code while middle-class children
have full control over both codes,Hence, working-class children can not communicate effectively in the manner
expected in educational institutions, and they can not hope to succeed in schools which are largely predicated on
the elaborated Code (Trask, 2007). In this study, restricted and elaborated code terminology is described in detail
and Bernstein’s Deficit Hypothesis is evaluated based on the results of the survey applied to Turkish children living in Germany. In this article, important information about the syntax, vocabulary, and pragmatic and cognitive
interests of Turkish children living in Germany is presented. The surveys in question also provide some important
and current information about the socio-economic status and business situations of the families of the children.
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