Noam Chomsky on Ludwig Wittgenstein: A Contemporary Critique of the Concept of Language Privatization

Abstract

In contemporary sociological studies, Wittgenstein, in his Philosophical Investigations, contends that the concept of a private language is unattainable due to the inherent necessity of shared meanings and societal conventions within language. Wittgenstein posits that language is intrinsically tied to social norms and communal practices, asserting that the acquisition of language is inseparable from cultural immersion and participation in shared activities – what he terms “playing the game” of language. In contrast, Noam Chomsky challenges this perspective by proposing the existence of a universal grammar innate to humanity, irrespective of factors like race, ethnicity, or demographics. According to Chomsky, while diverse languages may exhibit different word arrangements, there exists a fundamental universality in the underlying meaning of sentences. He suggests that this universal grammar is accessible to individuals through a theoretical cognitive mechanism known as the Language Acquisition Device. Chomsky’s theory posits that humans possess an inborn capacity for language, allowing them to grasp the fundamental structures and rules of any language they encounter, transcending cultural or social boundaries. In this philosophical research project, the authors will re-introduce the debate and its contemporary status. The authors aim to give a strategic in-depth Chomskyan criticism of what Wittgenstein has deemed impossible to arise: Private Language