§32

Wittgenstein suggests that there is something right about the Augustinian picture. Wittgenstein clearly does not want to claim that ostensive explanations play no role in acquiring a language. But what Wittgenstein does want to claim is that they cannot play the role that Augustine ascribes to them. Ostensive explanations might be used in explaining the meaning of words to a foreigner - i.e. someone who already has a language (who has 'placeholders' in place for the various words).

Augustine suggests that in learning a language the child is a bit like the foreigner - that is they have places laid out in thought and they just need to learn how to speak. But to be able to talk to oneself in ones head one must already have a language.