Language Games
summary
Argues that communication is a chain from idea to signifier to interpretation using semiotics, Wittgensteinian language games and Gricean maxims, claims computers are often easier to align with than people, and shows concrete failures: English word run with 640 meanings, untranslatable Portuguese term, and 10,000‑year nuclear‑waste messaging (ISO 21482) with a proposed but untested fix of glowing cats plus a warning song. Recommends practical tooling: Gherkin/BDD, tests as documentation and domain‑driven design.
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chapters (11)
- 0:00Communication in software dev
- 3:09Translation layers
- 8:01Saussure’s signs and meaning
- 12:34Saussure’s speech circuit
- 17:56Wittgenstein’s language games
- 25:01Imperfect communication
- 29:20Philosophy lessons
- 34:38Grice’s cooperative principle
- 40:35DDD and shared language
- 45:08Takeaways
- 47:15Q&A
