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Why Second Language Learning is not First Language Learning

Erneling, Christina LU (1993) In Interchange 24(4). p.341-351
Abstract
The Philosophical Investigations starts with a quotation from St. Augustine on language learning. The usual reconstruction of Wittgenstein's criticism of St. Augustine's view on language focusses on meaning — that is, the picture theory which he had in common with Wittgenstein's own earlier views. This paper shows that Wittgenstein in discussing ostensive definition, understanding, and the private language argument also attacks St. Augustine's notion of learning. In recent years the Augustinian conception has been resurrected in cognitive theories postulating an innate language of thought (e.g., Fodor), making Wittgenstein's claims that this conception of learning is paradoxical very relevant.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Interchange
volume
24
issue
4
pages
341 - 351
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:0142008567
ISSN
0826-4805
DOI
10.1007/BF01435193
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
5664ffe0-9df6-41c9-92c9-7b57dde78a5b (old id 1787493)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 16:27:54
date last changed
2021-01-03 07:17:07
@article{5664ffe0-9df6-41c9-92c9-7b57dde78a5b,
  abstract     = {{The Philosophical Investigations starts with a quotation from St. Augustine on language learning. The usual reconstruction of Wittgenstein's criticism of St. Augustine's view on language focusses on meaning — that is, the picture theory which he had in common with Wittgenstein's own earlier views. This paper shows that Wittgenstein in discussing ostensive definition, understanding, and the private language argument also attacks St. Augustine's notion of learning. In recent years the Augustinian conception has been resurrected in cognitive theories postulating an innate language of thought (e.g., Fodor), making Wittgenstein's claims that this conception of learning is paradoxical very relevant.}},
  author       = {{Erneling, Christina}},
  issn         = {{0826-4805}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{341--351}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Interchange}},
  title        = {{Why Second Language Learning is not First Language Learning}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01435193}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/BF01435193}},
  volume       = {{24}},
  year         = {{1993}},
}