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

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 17925

Ender wrote:
>   --- In HPforGrownups at y..., catherine at c... wrote:
>   >
>   > I love his Prof Mcgonagall.  For me, has given it the right amount
>     of sharpness - and he hasn't fallen into the trap of giving her a
>   > Scottish accent which would probably sound too comical, and would
>   > give her less dignity than she deserves.  The sections in CoS and
>   > GoF, when she is portrayed as softening slightly are also well
>   done, IMO.
>   >
>    To my American ears, MacGonagall's Scots voice by Dale is
>   appropriate, and in no way comical.
>
>
>   I was wondering about that comment.  Why would a Scottish accent be 
>considered comical?  Is that a bit of local prejudice?  I also find it 
>interesting that Rowling, who lives in Scotland and has set Hogwarts in 
>Scotland, has given us no overtly scottish characters, aside from, 
>possibly, McGonagall and MacNair...unless I'm missing something (and I'm 
>sure you'll all let me know if I am :)
>   Other than that we have a rather diverse group of characters of African, 
>Irish, Eastern and Asian descent. Where are the Scots?  And what about the 
>Welsh, for that matter?

To my Scottish ears, a Scottish accent is not comical, either! :)  I wonder 
if Star Trek's Scotty has a lot to answer for?  *His* accent sounded 
*extremely* comical to British ears.  As for other Scots, I always imagined 
Hagrid with an Ayrshire accent, until JKR said it was West Country, and I 
imagine Madeye Moody as a Scot "OH NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!" sounds very 
Scottish to me!
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