Christina Erneling
Professor emerita
Why Second Language Learning is not First Language Learning
Author
Summary, in English
The Philosophical Investigations starts with a quotation from St. Augustine on language learning. The usual reconstruction of Wittgenstein's criticism of St. Augustine's view on language focusses on meaning — that is, the picture theory which he had in common with Wittgenstein's own earlier views. This paper shows that Wittgenstein in discussing ostensive definition, understanding, and the private language argument also attacks St. Augustine's notion of learning. In recent years the Augustinian conception has been resurrected in cognitive theories postulating an innate language of thought (e.g., Fodor), making Wittgenstein's claims that this conception of learning is paradoxical very relevant.
Publishing year
1993
Language
English
Pages
341-351
Publication/Series
Interchange
Volume
24
Issue
4
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Springer
Topic
- Communication Studies
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0826-4805