An Application to Speech Codes Theory
By Chris Zweidinger

As soon as people hear the phrase speech codes, they generally think of racism or some other form of hate speech. Speech codes are defined as a communication system within a social society with constructed symbols and meanings, as well as a set of communication rules. Speech codes, though, can be applied to many other areas and situations. Between every culture, ethnicity, and nationality there are various ways people communicate through their language. Different actions and various words are what make one dialect distinct from another, these are speech codes. Different communication styles and different use of language is a starting ground for prejudice. People in one culture often do not even associate with those of another or if a person's nationality is unknown they wait until the nationality is identified.

I feel that this theory can best be applied by comparing rich people to poor people. There is a distinct difference between the forms of communication between these two social classes. A good way to look at this theory is how high social classes and low social classes view a political canidate running for office. From the beginning both classes will want to know the canidate's background, was he wealthy or not. This is a huge issue. If the canidate is from a wealthy background, the high social classes will feel that the canidate will represent them well. While, the lower classes will view the canidate as being full lies and not capable of relating to them. Wealthy people are most likely to communicate and relate with people on their own status level as they usually look down on those below them. This is so, because higher classes generally view lower classes as not being as intelligent as they are.

The color and nationality of a political canidate is another main issue. Generally speaking, the higher social classes place great weight on this criteria. On the other hand, lower social classes just want who will represent them the most and do the best job. In addition, the rich usually classify people with having social roles, while the poor view people as individuals. For a wealthy canidate, holding a political position could be a very honorable position. As this position, accoriding to upper classes, will reflect the canidate's self-worth and importance in the community. For the lower classes, dignity is their priority. I have seen, that usually lower class community wants someone who wants this position to make a difference and truly cares for all people regardless of class. I feel that these two abstract views display the difference of speech codes that people carry with them.

The final part of speech codes theory is the understanding. The main step in understanding speech codes is knowing which type of culture the communication is coming from. This is also important for knowing the cultural significance of symbols, meanings, and rules. This is now broken down into three forms, the first being cultural myths. This is seen as making your own experiences acceptable to those around you, so they too can relate. The second form is social dramas. This occurs when one social society challenges the views and actions of another. The final form is a totemizing ritual. This is seen through either the lower class or higher class gathering on their own to express their own similar ideas and beliefs. Generally speaking, the lower class will place great weight on the canidate's dedication towards them and the community. Through what I have seen, upper classes view a canidate based on the assets he or she can provide for them. Obviously, both classes want someone who provide for them. The difference is, one class only cares about that and the other is a little more concerned about helping everyone. Hopefully, my application of speech codes to every day life will better help you better understand this theory.

Links
To learn more about Speech Codes Theory and return to our homepage click here.

To view a page on freedom of expression and campus speech codes from the University of Delaware Library click here.



This page was revised by Chris Zweidinger (http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~cz175996/SC.htm) on March 10, 1999.