Philosophy of Language

Final Examination

Instruction:
Answer briefly and clearly the following questions. Your answer must not exceed 500 words and
not below 300 words for each question. Submit your answer in the google drive link that the
class beadle will create.
Questions:
1. There are three peculiar characteristics of language: self-forgetfulness, I-lessness, and
universality. Explain each characteristic.

Hans-Georg Gadamer presented a comprehensive discussion and presentation on

the nature that language plays when it comes to the role it plays into being. the main
thing here is that Gadamer presents three main concepts which revolve around the Self-
forgetfulness, I-lessness, and universality of language. Gadamer presents Self-
forgetfulness as this unconscious act of setting aside preconceived notions and biases
when it comes to the process of interpretation. Language requires the suspending of
one’s own perspective and a commitment when it comes to genuinely engaging with the
exchange at hand. The interpreter and participant in the exchange of language immerses
themselves within the language itself.

Gadamer continues with the I-lessness of language which asserts and emphasizes
the decentering of the self within the engagement and interpretive process of language.
Language is in itself a communal and social phenomenon from which cannot live or
survive by itself it demands another to be conversed and relayed. Language is a shared
and social endeavor that requires the other. The individuals acknowledge meaning,
thought, and intent through the other which affirms not only the language and
information discussed but also affirms the reality of the being. Language is the
connection between all rational beings capable of language. It is here that language
cannot be determined by the individual, as for Gadamer there is no such thing as a
language with one speaker, or even a dead language for as long as there is
acknowledgement and practice of it.
 Universality, as Gadamer deliberates, is the non-limit if the persons subjective
experience to be a limit to language, for language in itself transcends individual/personal
perspectives and is applicable and unrestricted. The point Gadamer presents is that
understanding or engaging in language does not limit itself between just two individuals
but a reality that is true towards an entire civilization that participates within that
language but even in different societies and nations all participate in language. The
process and engagement in language is not confined within the personal contexts of two
individuals but transcends into a broader applicability. Language is not only subjective
but comes to be, alongside being, as the current non-stagnant process of interpretation
and processing of reality.

2. Explain: “Language is the real mark of our finitude.”

Language is the precipice of humanity in regard to reality and man is limited to

their finitude and thus the usage of language sets the basis of mans finite understanding
of the infinite reality. The infinitude and dynamic nature of language and the
intelligibility of reality, all culminates and finds structure within the intellectual inquiry
of the human person but in a truly limited manner. The sheer infinitude of the human
being is laid before clearly through language, although language is in itself infinite
similar to reality, but man exists inexhaustibly limited in their ability to finitely inspect
infinity. The activity of being wherein the intelligibility of being comes forward as a
tangible and structured. It is in this language where reality and being becomes into
intelligible through language. But it is in the infinite and inexhaustible nature of reality
and language that the finitude of the human person is bound to deal with. Thus, laid
before an infinite struggle, lays the infinite quest for the metaphysician to explore and
rebound the intellectual inquiry of being.

The inquiry into reality and being is impossible without first making it tangible
and comprehensible through language. Language in its definition and understanding must
be flexible and open-ended, which is why it is infinite by itself but becomes limited in
our use, in order to not constrict infinite with a finite understanding. Language is
transcendental, that it is true universally in its application and utility, but it must be
limited in order to cater to humanity’s finitude. Language is the infinitude avenue of
finite beings to make the intangible tangible through limiting its infinity. In conclusion
what is comprehensible to humanity is only what is able to be made comprehensible
through language but it is not the finitude of language that is true but only the finitude of
humanity in its usage of language