Theory

First let's start with the basics, language as a game. One of the simplest explanations of a game is Bernard Suits definition “the voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary obstacles”. Language thus is the voluntary attempt to overcome the barrier of communication. While the argument could be made that communication is necessary. I would say that there are many types of communication such as body language, visual language, verbal, written language. So our choice to conduct verbal and written communication is voluntary in nature. Second is that the English language, the one this is written in, is set up in a very specific manner as an argumentative style. Thus the best way to make an argument is to understand your audience and be able to understand their own processing of language and ideas otherwise known as perspective taking. Finally there is Persuasive/Aggressive language which is the distinction that even in a language system like English where the structure is argumentative, word choices matter as the type of argument one is making is affected in its efficacy by how well it resonates with the listener and the listeners understanding of the argument you are making.

The idea that understanding the other person you are speaking to/with makes communication easier and more successful. The proof of concept of Perspective taking as a way of making communication more successful by Nedergaard and associates shows that when we are limited in our language our ability to understand another person our communication suffers. Vice Versa the more precise and specific our language is the more easily one is able to communicate specific ideas. The key example Nedergaard uses is one of a guessing game where one person must get the other to guess a specific word such as “heart”, by using different words and the more specific the more successful one would be.

The English language is constructed in such a way that all statements are made up in a way to “convince” the listener of something. This is a form of argumentation where one tries to convince the other of their idea as factual or true. Language specifically English is constructed in a way similar to how coding language is constructed. Where the sentence structure acts as a sort of code and the listener receives said code and decodes it in their own internal process. This is why perspective taking is important. There is an aspect of the communication coding and decoding process that requires your statement to be understood by the other person. Thus taking their perspective into account makes the communication process simpler. So by using specific language just like in code we persuade the other to come to the same conclusion as us. “Lets eat dinner” is a simple enough phrase, the more you know someone the more they might be able to guess what you want, but with an unknown individual using more specific language to make the argument for “pizza” over “pasta” might be more important.

Language is used to persuade us everyday, this leads to an assault on our senses. Language becomes a tool for a much larger game of control. By learning how language is used to persuade us, you become better prepared to play the “game” of language. That being said, how does one get better at using language? There is perspective taking which improves how ones arguments land with the other person. There is understanding the structure of our language as argumentative and the way a sentence is constructed. Thus by finding an activity that takes into account perspective broadening and also expanding ones lexicon would be a practical way to improve their understanding of language. And thus we come back to games. Games are a fact of life, whether we acknowledge them as such or not, conceptualized as necessary or not games are ever present. Going back to Bernard Suits’ definition of games as voluntary obstacles, than to play with language to play with words is simply to engage with argument for no other reason than enjoyment or desire to learn. Thus We come to word games and the role word games play in expanding our lexicons and thus our ability to understand and use language.