Word Book for Kids

Wittgenstein's Dictionary for Elementary Schools: A Rare and Intriguing Addition to the Philosopher's Corpus, now Available in English for the First Time

In 1925, Ludwig Wittgenstein, widely considered one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, wrote a dictionary specifically for elementary school children. This work, titled Wörterbuch für Volksschulen (Dictionary for Elementary Schools), was born out of Wittgenstein's belief that there was an urgent need to help his students learn to spell.

Wittgenstein began teaching in rural Austria in 1920 after leaving his life and work at Cambridge University. During this time, he found that the available dictionaries were either too expensive for his students or too small and poorly organized. Determined to address this gap, he decided to create his own dictionary.

Word Book is the first-ever English translation of Wörterbuch, aiming to introduce this gem of a work to a wider audience and rekindle interest in one of the greatest modern philosophers. Through this publication, readers will have the opportunity to explore how Wörterbuch foreshadows Wittgenstein's radical reinvention of his own philosophy, as well as the enduring influence his thinking has had on our understanding of art, culture, and language.

The translation of Word Book was undertaken by writer and art historian Bettina Funcke, accompanied by a critical introduction by scholar Désirée Weber and artwork by Paul Chan. This collaboration brings together a diverse team of experts, united in their desire to share Wittgenstein's unique and insightful work with a global readership.

Wittgenstein's impact on 20th-century analytic philosophy is undeniable, and his contributions continue to resonate across various disciplines, from logic and language to perception, intention, ethics, religion, aesthetics, and culture. Word Book offers a rare glimpse into the philosopher's lesser-known endeavors, shedding light on the breadth and depth of his intellectual pursuits.

As Wittgenstein himself once remarked, "I had never thought the dictionaries would be so frightfully expensive. I think, if I live long enough, I will produce a small dictionary for elementary schools. It appears to me to be an urgent need." With the publication of Word Book, his wish has been fulfilled, and readers around the world can now engage with this unexpected and fascinating addition to Wittgenstein's corpus.

product information: