Olugbenga Seminapa Okesola

The study of language, a fundamental endeavour in philosophy, has been largely situated within Western philosophical traditions, often overlooking the rich and diverse metaphysical underpinnings of language found in African philosophical thought. This oversight obscures potentially valuable insights into the nature of language and its relationship to reality. Additionally, while Ludwig Wittgenstein’s later philosophy accentuates the contextual and social dimensions of language, it tends to be framed within Eurocentric perspectives, potentially limiting its applicability to non-Western contexts. Thus, a critical examination of the intersections between Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language and African metaphysical conceptions is imperative, as it promises to unveil hitherto unexplored dimensions of linguistic practices and their embeddedness within broader ontological frameworks. This study addresses this gap by undertaking a comprehensive inquiry into the compatibility, tensions, and synergies between Wittgenstein’s linguistic philosophy and African metaphysical views, aiming to forge new avenues for understanding language, reality, and cultural diversity.