[HPforGrownups] Where are the Scots? Was Interim Report Re: HP on Audio: Dale v. Fry Taste Test

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 17885

Catherine wrote:
>
>Clarification:  I don't think that the Scottish accent is
>funny/comical.  In fact, I really like it - it is very expressive and
>can sound quite soft and musical.  But, when most actors attempt it,
>it becomes overblown and OTT - or they slip in and out of it too
>much.  I am not saying that Stephen Fry would do the same thing, but
>it is possible.
>
>The other reason why I prefer Prof McGonagall accentless is that no
>where in canon does she sound as though she does have a Scottish
>accent.  I am probably going to be shot down now by everyone who
>lives in Scotland/is Scottish (and I am part - I have relatives in
>Glasgow) but most people I know from Scotland don't merely speak with
>a Scottish accent, but there are also certain words of dialect they
>will use - however slightly.  There is no indication of this at all
>in JKR's McGonagall.  After all - just because her name is Scottish
>doesn't mean she was brought up in Scotland, does it?

No, it doesn't, and there is nothing I know of that says she must be a Scot. 
  But I like to imagine her with a very posh Edinburgh accent - I think 
Maggie Smith's "Miss Jean Brodie" accent will do just fine (though, 
ironically, in the book, Miss Brodie had an English accent!).  She's a 
rather prim and proper character - perhaps she only uses Scots speech when 
relaxing, and never with students.
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