Using and Playing

Consistent with the image of Language-Game, Wittgenstein, in #108 of the Investigations, suggests that a word is "analogous to" a chess-piece.  However, the analogy founders on his concept of 'using a word', i. e. a bishop is something that is part of playing chess, not something brought along to a match, and inserted for use when relevant.  Furthermore, his argument, in #65-71, that the meaning of 'game' is context-bound, implies that so, too, is that of 'playing'.  In contrast, he generally treats 'using' as univocal', suggesting a privileged, primitive status for it, indicative of a "foundation', even though, in #124, he prohibits the latter from Philosophical discourse.  So, rather than reinforcing his Language-Game image, the analogy in #108 only exposes Wittgenstein's uncertainty involving a distinction that some, e. g. Kant, regard as Philosophically vital--between Communication fundamentally as purposeful, or as purposeless.