by Kim Piper (for EDST820 "Instruction and Cognition" class, Spring 1998, University of Delaware)
The philosopher Wittgenstein argued that people learn language through playing games with it. He was not referring to "games" such as jokes and riddles. By the term "language game," he referred to all facets of language from learning the names for objects and the actions that are associated with them, to learning all of the intricacies of full, natural human language.
An example of such a language game will begin when you click the button below. As you progress through the game, please take notice of your own thoughts regarding what is going on.
(Click here if you would like more information about Wittgenstein's thoughts on language.)