Saussure And The Later Wittgenstein View Of Language Is Critical

Saussure and Wittgenstein, two great masters of western history of ideas, both focus on language. This thesis analyzes their views of language in the dimension of philosophy of language. On the one hand, we reconsider the main ideas of Saussure's view of language which includes langue, parole, synchrony, diachrony, syntagmes, association and etc. By arranging the relationship of them, we find that there is presupposition of ontology in his view of language. On the other hand, we review the principal ideas of later Wittgenstein's view of language which comprises language-game, family resemblances, form of life and etc. By exploring ordinary language, later Wittgenstein meditates the relation between human being and world. Meanwhile, his view of language shows an obvious tendency of ontological philosophy of language. By comparing their view of language and checking with text, this thesis finally draws a conclusion that the change from Saussure to later Wittgenstein is a kind of historic necessity.