Class, gender, and code on prime‐time television

Abstract

The research reported here identifies and explains the nature of codes on prime‐time television as they relate to gender and social class. The study draws on the theoretical work of Ellis and Hamilton (1985). We hypothesize that an array of linguistic variables identified with the pragmatic or syntactic code would successfully distinguish characters on the basis of gender and social class as portrayed on selected television programs. Results indicated that middle class television characters employed a syntactic code by utilizing linguistic elaboration and structural complexity. This was especially true for male middle class speakers. Male non‐middle class speakers were linguistically stigmatized. Interestingly, female middle class characters were portrayed in a more stereotypical manner and not afforded full access to the syntactic code.

Key concepts:

• Language
• code
• gender
• social class
• television