Class, codes, and control; theoretical studies towards a sociology of language

The papers in this volume form a continuous record of Basil Bernstein's ideas as they evolved during the twelve years of his emergence as a key thinker on sociological, linguistic, and educational matters. The totality of Bernstein's thought is presented, when heretofore only his early and most controversial theories have been known in this country. He discusses the socio-linguistic features of speech, dealing with regulative, instructional, interpersonal, and imaginative aspects as functions primarily related to contexts of socialization. In the introductory chapter, Bernstein provides a short developmental autobiography which sets a framework for his papers and in which he defends himself against misinterpretation and misunderstanding of his perspective.

"Bernstein's hypothesis will require [teachers] to look afresh not only at their pupils' language but at how they teach and how their pupils learn." - Douglas Barnes, Times Educational Supplement; "His honesty is such that it illuminates several aspects of what it is to be a genius". - Josephine Klein, British Journal of Educational Studies