Abstract

This paper provides an interpretation of Sein und Zeit §34, in the context of the existential analytic of Dasein. Dealing with the Rede – Sprache distinction, it tries to show how in Heidegger's conception, at least at the time of writing his main work, language is an existentially founded phenomenon that takes root in the prelinguistic opening of a space of meaning. In the light of this ontological structure of meaning and language it is possible to make sense of the analyzed text and to do justice to the systematic place of language in the broader philosophical project of Sein und Zeit. This particular place makes the heideggerian approach to language radically different from other contemporary approaches to the phenomenon.