Speech Code Theory

According to the founder of speech code theory, Gerry Philipsen, a speech code is “a historically enacted, socially constructed system of terms, meanings, premises and rules, pertaining to communication conduct” (Griffin, 2009).  His ethnographic research was conducted in 2 American states, Chicago and Santa Barbara in which he respectively named them Teamsterville and Nacirema.  Philipsen recognized that despite the residents spoke English, each of their speech codes were different.  For example, in Teamsterville, the community was somewhat segregated in respect of gender and class who may be included or excluded from conversations.  Loyalty was also a defined code in which your origin had to be established before communication was facilitated.  On the other hand, in Nacirma everyone’s opinion was important and conversation was seen as essential and purposeful.  Communication was used as a tool to build and foster relationships.

The purpose of the Philipsen’s research was to guide other ethnographers in establishing linkages in relationships to communication and culture and how to identify how speech codes can impact on a culture.  This theory establishes how groups, genders, classes and other factors communicate within the structure of a society.

It has been established that each culture is unique and as such ways of communicating will differ.  For example, symbolic interactions and meanings that are assigned will mean different things to different people.  This will also extend to premises and rules.  Though they are some instances that meanings, premises and rules may be similar this may be traced back to the origins of natives.  For example traditions, celebrations and foods.

Philipsen has posited 6 propositions to speech code theory.  There are that:

1. A distinctive speech code exists in a distinctive culture. A rule that may be applicable in a particular country may be in violation in other countries, provinces and states.  For example, the ongoing debate about whether marijuana should be legalized.  Marijuana is used as part as the Rastafarian religion.  However, despite the legalization of this plant by several countries the use or possession of marijuana contravenes the laws of Barbados unless it has been prescribed for medicinal purposes by a certified medical practitioner.

2. Multiple speech codes are used in communities. This is evident in all parishes of Barbados.  For example there are several variations to folk songs.  For instance, persons who grew up in the country, sang “Split peas and rice are very nice upon a rainy day and when I go to out the fire a sparkle came burn me…” but persons who grew up in suburban Barbados sang “Dried peas…”  Additionally, you can at times make a valid assumption from the parish in which someone lives in the way he or she pronounces some words.  Peter and St. Lucy are known for their pronunciation of “bag” and “roti” as they place emphasis on the pronunciation of “bag” and drop the letter “t” and add and “e” to “roti”.  “Bag” then becomes “baeg” and “roti” becomes “roie”.

3. There are distinctive psychological, sociological and rhetorical elements culturally used in speech codes.

Psychologically: some words have negative connotations to some cultures.  For                    example to most Barbadians the term “coolie man” is used casually to identify                    itinerant traders who migrated to the Caribbean but this term “coolie man is a                    racial slur.  Indians made a living going around several district to offer goods on                sale in which persons of lesser economic spending power would be able to                            purchase goods and commodities.

Sociologically:

Rhetorically:

4. Speech codes are dependent upon the significance to which speakers and listeners create and interpret their communication. In relax conversation, the average Barbadian have no tolerance for what is referred to as “nuh lot of long talk”.  They usually speak in short phrases and bajan dialect.  However, in formal conversation those who are well versed in standard English use it effectively.   At times a variation is used to effectively communicate when there is a mixture of classes.

5. Terms, rules and premises of a speech code are inextricably woven into speaking itself.

6. The artful use of a shared speech code is a sufficient condition for predicting, explaining and controlling the form of discourse about the intelligibility prudence and morality of communication conduct.