The text develops a comparison between the philosophies of language of Heidegger and Walter Benjamin. The key question concerns the relation between language and reason, the two sides of logos. As a common link the romantic conception of language of J.G. Hamann is explored, the implicit and explicit repercussions of which can be traced in both Benjamin and Heidegger. In several respects Benjamin's early essays on language and translation anticipates Heidegger's later work, while Heidegger's more elaborated theory illucidates Benjamin's intentions.