The Analysis Of The Theories Between Saussure And Wittgenstein

The history of modern linguistics is not the history of new discoveries about previously unknown languages of the world. It is the analysis of conflicting views as to how we should set about the analysis of language. In that respect it has little in common with the history of geography, or of physiology, or any of the nature sciences.Both Wittgenstein and Saussure were instrumental in bringing about a radical reassessment of the role played by language in human affairs. The effect of that reassessment may perhaps be summed up as follows. Language is no longer regarded as peripheral to our grasp of the world in which we live, but as central to it. Words are not mere vocal labels or communicational adjuncts superimposed upon an already given order of things. They are collective products of social interaction, essential instruments through which human beings constitute and articulate their world. This typically twentieth-century view of language has profoundly influenced developments throughout the whole range of human sciences.This thesis is composed of three parts: introduction, main text, and the part of conclusion, while the main text consists of three elements which are the parts of the second chapter, the third chapter and the fourth chapter.This article explores the intrinsic logical interrelationship of the theories about language between Saussure and Wittgenstein, by the means of exploring their related theories with respect to historical factors and logical analysis.In the first part of introduction, the article illustrates the research development in and abroad the country about the theories between Saussure and Wittgenstein. By reviewing the achievements made by the latter research, we can realize that though the work of researching their masterpieces and theories has been in a thorough and profound state, there is still a long way to go in order to make more progress. Therefore, in this article the present author bears the ambitions to make some effort to go forward to explore their intrinsic relationship.In the second part, more efforts have been extended to make an overall and thorough survey about the theory of Saussure about language. In order to make the point more clear and do some pavement work for latter argument, the present author gives some basic elements of Saussure's theory, such as the difference between langue and parole, the distinguish between synchrony and diachrony. Moreover, for the purpose of having a better understanding of Saussure's theory, much more work have been poured into the exploring the philosophical background and traces of philosophy in his theory. Therefore, we can conclude that Saussure is not only the forefather of modern linguistics but also plays a leading role in exploring the philosophy of language.In the third part, the present author gives illustration about the main theories of Wittgenstein, for instance, the theory of language game, and the theories of family resemblance. The theories of post-Wittgenstein bear some different characteristics with those of his previous research when he dedicated all his thoughts and time to the compiling and writing of Tractatus Logico-philosophicus. In the latter time, he paid more attention on the study of language used in our daily life which had a contrast understanding with his previous one. As it is known to all that the study of language used in our daily life is the fundamental element of Mole and the school of ordinary language philosophy.In the ending part which is also the most important part of this thesis, the present author in the first place give the illustration about the theories of Wittgenstein and Saussure in the philosophical view, especially the understanding of the diachrony of Saussure and his contribution to the field of philosophy of language. In the second place, more words have been written about the differentiation between them and explored the intrinsic relationship between the theories of them. In the last but not least place, the conclusion has been made that Wittgenstein inherited some aspects of Saussure's theory and went forward in the way of exploring the philosophy of language.In brevity, though there is diverse between the theories of Saussure and Wittgenstein, the connectivity does exist in terms of the intrinsic development of linguistics and philosophy of language. For instance the barriers they came across and the ideals they pursued. At the same time, it cannot be denied that the post Wittgenstein achieved a more superior development than Saussure in concerning with the language theory.