Ludwig Wittgenstein on Language Games: A Critical Appraisal

Abstract

Philosophical linguistics is a branch of linguistics that studies the points of convergence between language and the structure of logical thought. Semantics is concerned with the study of linguistic meaning of morphemes, words, phrases, and sentences. This paper examines Ludwig Wittgenstein’s notion or idea of language games as a linguistic theory of meaning. It x-rays the nature and character of language vis-à-vis its use. It employs qualitative research method, in which case, it is basically descriptive. It anchors or hinges on textual analysis. It contributes significantly to the general body of knowledge and, of course, adds to the corpus of existing literatures on linguistic philosophy. It posits, in conclusion, that Wittgenstein’s theory of language-games is an ideal theory of meaning because it has plausibility. It recommends that there be a reconstructive adaptation of this theory or model in contemporary linguistics.