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Book Review
Harris, Roy:1931-
Language, Saussure and Wittgenstein ; how to play games with words
Routledge ; 1988
reviewed in: Choice v26 p819 January '89
Taschek, W. (240w)
reviewed in: The Times Literary Supplement p202 February 24 '89
Lamarque, Peter (460w)
SUBJECTS COVERED:
Language and languages Game theory
Wittgenstein, Ludwig:1889-1951 Saussure, Ferdinand de:1857-1913
ABSTRACT: The aim of this work is to "compare the views of F. Saussure
and L. Wittgenstein on language. Harris focuses his comparison on the
fact that in elaborating their views, both Saussure and Wittgenstein
invoke an analogy between languages and games."
(Choice)
Bibliography.
Index.

REVIEW:  Choice v26 p819 January '89 Taschek, W.  (240w) The success of
this book depends on the quality of the author's grasp of the views being
compared.  Harris's marvelous previous work on Saussure leaves little
doubt about his qualifications on that side. And though his comparisons
here are often suggestive, the success of the book as a whole is, however,
ultimately undermined by an inadequate understanding of Wittgenstein's
views--especially, and disconcertingly, given the topics discussed--on
rules and rule following.  This results in a failure to appreciate the
quite subtle and distinctive deployment of the game analogy in
Wittgenstein's hands. . . . Consequently, most of Harris's criticisms . . .
miss their mark.  The title will appeal to a wide audience, both
students and professors in philosophy, linguistics, literary theory, and
anthropology.



REVIEW:
The Times Literary Supplement
p202 February 24 '89 Lamarque, Peter
(460w) [In this work], Harris finds an unexpected bridge between
early twentieth-century linguistics and late Wittgenstein.  Saussure died
in 1913, just when Wittgenstein was taking up philosophy, and there seems
to have been no contract between them.  Nevertheless, there are some
remarkable parallels in their thinking illuminatingly identified by
Harris.