Similarities Between 'Nothing And Hallway Hangers'

Jayeda Newaz

April 15, 2016

Sociology

The Dilemma of Nothing Versus Nuffin’

Language is a product of society and its various influences. In many regards, it can be seen as a socially constructed behavior due to the influences of exposure, region, socioeconomic status as well as identity. Just as there exists an inequality within different aspects of society, there is also a kind of discrimination within language that manifests itself in job placement. At the heart of this inequality lies the idea that some expressions of language are more greatly desired and respected than other expressions. Furthermore, there are certain stigmas and stereotypes against the less desirable language expressions that can perpetuate adverse effects for those

The British sociologist Basil Bernstein conducted research on the sociological effects of the differences in diction, dialects and accents. Through his research he was able to develop the theory of speech codes and code switching. Speech codes refer to the lexical use of language and can be divided into two major classes: elaborated and restricted speech codes. An elaborated speech code allows speakers to select from an extensive vocabulary and is usually associated with well-educated people. On the contrary, a restricted speech code would expose speakers to a condensed vocabulary and is usually grammatically incorrect. Restricted speech code speakers often use slang and can be associated with the working and middle classes. Bernstein stressed the idea that elaborated speech codes were largely used in schools and thus allowed for those students who have already developed elaborated speech codes to excel as they would identify with class materials better than those students who spoke within restricted speech codes. This theory was tested and proved in Ain’t No Makin It as the teachers

In terms of success in job placement or success in the classroom, sociolinguistic barriers hamper individuals from pursuing a successful career. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII, although discrimination based on linguistic differences is strictly prohibited, there exists a widespread phenomena of employers associating various forms of speech patterns to preconceived stereotypes, which result in adverse employment fallouts. Many of these unsuccessful endeavors can be found as early as the classroom experience as elaborated speech codes condition certain students for academic success as those who have condensed vocabularies suffer from obliviousness from the teachers and turn to lives of manual labor. The Brothers in Ain’t No Makin It tried to overcome their linguistic shortcomings however the deep engrained bias against their AAVE speech codes dejected them for further success. All in all, discrimination against language codes persist throughout the United States and it is something that must be solved from an early, educational