Hogwart's Motto, help!

[blpurdom at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 21281

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Meg Rose" <megrose_13 at y...> wrote:
> Yes - I actually translated Hogwart's motto while daydreaming in my 
> Highschool Latin II class...  I just totally don't agree with the 
> Latin grammer JK uses in her books (Not only here but in the spells 
> as well...)  I know what you are thinking - she's an author, not a 
> Latin expert, and I understand that...  I just am appalled at the 
> way the words have no traditional endings (us, a, i, etc...) If she 
> is to use Latin, use it right, otherwise just make up a random 
> word - LOL...  Ok. I am going overboard, I'll admit...  Just wanted 
> to get that off my chest!!

Actually, former Classics Major speaking here...

When some of the spells are done, such as "Imperio!" and "Crucio!" 
the form that these are taking is called the VOCATIVE, which means a 
command is being given.  The endings you mention are 
not "traditional," they in fact have very specific meanings.  She is 
not in fact just "throwing" Latin around.  (She is probably quite 
well-versed in Latin.)  Also, the spelling of the word you used above 
is GRAMMAR.  End of Latin rant.

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis...

--Barb

(who actually prefers using Greek for potions names in her fic 
because it's more obscure...)

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