Language Games And Understanding Games

In the 20^th century, modern western philosophy goes on under the background of linguistic transition, which has two ways: scientific way of Britain and American analytical philosophy and humanism way of European continental linguistic philosophy. From research method to philosophy interest, analytical philosophy is differentiated from European continental philosophy, so it is difficult to communication and dialogue between them. However, their communication also exists in possibility, because their difference only is in the aspect of method and style, and they have the same research issues .As the represent of two kinds of philosophy tradition: Wittgenstein and Gadamer, their language philosophy thought have important effect on their philosophy tradition. The language play an important role in Gadame's hermeneutics and the thought of Wittgenstein's later philosophy also exquisitely analyse to language. Though Wittgenstein don't directly discuss on the connection between reader and historical text, this issue is correlated with his language views. Their language thought have not only difference, but also common place. The common place is that they all believe that language is a activity based on life world. The difference is that Wittgenstein regard the language as a tool and Gadamer think the language is a dialogue ontology. The comparison between Gadame's language thought and Wittgenstein's language thought will give us much enlightenment. First, the mutual complement of their language thought may conquer the localization of their theory. Second, it lead us to explore the possibility of communication by language among different culture. Two aspects above just are the value of this article.