Readings
“As humans, we learned to use written language more and more precisely to convey their thoughts. Every child who learns to read someone else’s thoughts and write his or her own repeats a cyclical, germinating relationship between written language and new thought, never before imagined.”
“The end of reading development doesn’t exist; the unending story of reading moves ever forward, leaving the eye, the tongue, the word, the author for a new place from which the ‘truth breaks forth, fresh and green,’ changing the brain and the reader every time.”
The full alphabetical listing is dedicated to sharing readings which are considered to provide Wittgensteinian commentary on language, literacy and learning. This includes the writings of Ludwig Wittgenstein, about Wittgenstein and his philosophy, and those in the spirit of his philosophy. If you find a reference on the site and the bibliographic reference cannot be found on the page, please scan the linked reading list. Click here to explore more.
The linked lists include readings which are categorised according to themes. These themes include the following: texts by Wittgenstein, texts about Wittgenstein, and texts about seeing aspects, language learning, being literate, literature, (cultural) practices, learning & knowing, and social inclusion & exclusion. Welcome. Please explore the themed reading lists. Click here to explore more.
The Recently Added Readings provides a list of the most recent references added to the site (often listed here before they find their way into the alphabetic or topic lists). The recent readings are also linked to a research group with Mendeley, which is a desktop, web and mobile Reference Manager application. Visitors are welcome to join and/or follow the Reading/Reference Group on Mendeley, which allows members to post comments and receive the latest updates. Click here to explore more.
We have a growing list of Recommended Books that speak directly about the philosophy of Wittgenstein and its application to thought, education and learning. There is a vast and expanding secondary literature that we hope to tap into in the future. The books that are recommended here have been selected due to their accessibility, insightfulness and broader applicability. If you have a book that you would recommend, please take the time to visit the contact page and send us an email. Click here to explore more.
We welcome you to explore three additional lists that can be considered Wittgensteinian in spirit: readings on language & literacy development, place-based pedagogy and supporting the education and settlement of refugees. It goes without saying that Wittgenstein does provoke reflection on language & literacy development, though I would like to argue that a Wittgensteinian sensibility does provide a sensitivity to the plight of refugees and a reflection on locally based practices and knowledges. Each of the latter two cases present scenarios in which one's knowledge and practices are influenced by the particularly socio-cultural and historical contexts in which learners and communities find themselves. Click here to explore more.