At the center of every philosophical discussion about language is the concept of representation. There is controversy over what language represents. The answers provided so far can be classified and used as a basis for a systematic overview of fundamental positions in the philosophy of language: 1. Language represents the world. 2. Language does not represent the world, but our thoughts about the world. 3. Language poorly represents our thoughts (about the world). 4. Language not only represents poorly; it represents nothing. 5. Language makes higher-order representations possible and thus enables thinking. This introduction to the philosophy of language aims to develop a principle of order for the many simultaneous and asynchronous approaches to a philosophy of language, thereby creating a form of transparency.