The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.

Certain codes may, of course, be so widely distributed in a specific language community or culture, and be learned at so early an age, that they appear not to be constructed – the effect of an articulation between sign and referent – but to be ‘naturally’ given. Simple visual signs appear to have achieved a ‘near universality’ in this sense: though evidence remains that even apparently ‘natural’ visual codes are culture specific. However, this does not mean that no codes have intervened; rather, that the codes have been profoundly naturalized. The operation of naturalized codes reveals not the transparency and ‘naturalness’ of language but the depth, the habituation and the near-universality of the codes in use. They produce apparently ‘natural’ recognitions. This has the (ideological) effect of concealing the practices of coding which are present.

The correct option is: Language and visual signs are codes. However, some of the codes are so widespread that they not only seem naturally given but also hide the mechanism of coding behind the signs.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Analyze the core premise of the passage: The passage states that certain codes (linguistic and visual signs) are so widely distributed and learned so early within a culture that they do not appear to be constructed/artificial. Instead, they seem "naturally given".

2. Understand "naturalization" of codes: The author points out that this appearance of "naturalness" is not actually a property of the language being transparent or natural. Rather, it is the result of the codes being "profoundly naturalized" due to habituation and near-universality.

3. Identify the ideological effect: Because these codes produce apparently "natural" recognitions, they have the ideological effect of concealing/hiding the practices and mechanisms of coding that are actually present.

4. Evaluate the correct option: The correct option perfectly summarizes these points:
- It establishes that language and visual signs are indeed codes.
- It captures the idea that widespread distribution leads them to seem "naturally given".
- It highlights the ultimate consequence: that this naturalization hides the mechanism of coding behind the signs.