[HPforGrownups] HP books (British), languages, blokes and journals

[Suzanne Burns]

No: HPFGUIDX 6698



> There doesn't seem to be much in the way of language tuition at Hogwarts.
> Most British schools would teach French as a second language from age 11/12
> and offer other languages to older students, but our gang appear to have
> avoided that (and several other standard subjects) by virtue of having a
> curriculum of magical subjects to get through.  I don't recall anyone
> attempting to speak French to the Beauxbatons visitors in GoF, for example,
> although the accents of the foreign students were highlighted and even
> ridiculed.

At some point doesn't somebody point out Crouch's fluency in many different
languages, including Goblin, Troll, and Merish? I seem to remember that Bagman
is anxious to find him at the Quidditch match because he knows Bulgarian. I'm
going on memory here.

The accents are highlighted, maybe evn stereotyped, but I think the
provincialism of some of the wizards and witches is also noted. I thought about
this when Ron turned his nose up at Boullibase, and later when he said to
Hermione "You can't trust these foreigners."

--Suzanne