This text argues that despite Walter Benjamin being one of the great cultural critics of this century, his philosophical ideas remain elusive, often considered a disaggregated set of thoughts not meant to cohere. This book provides a more systematic perspective on Benjamin, laying claim to his status as a philosopher and situating his work in the context of his time. Exploring Benjamin's theory of langauge, spoken and non-spoken, Rainer Rochlitz shows how Benjamin reconceptualized traditional ideas of language, art and history. Offering an expansive assessment of a 20th-century thinker, this volume provides a guide for readers of Benjamin's recently released collected works.