[HPforGrownups] Re: Latin in Harry Potter--Arabella Figg

[yr awen]

No: HPFGUIDX 42635


  Corinth:
  We really don't know that Arabella Figg has cut ties with the
  Wizarding World, do we?  One of my many vague theories is that
  Arabella is working as a sort of Head of Operations for the Harry
  Potter Protection Squad.<<<<<<<<<<

  I think this is probably the general, tentative consensus, at least with regards to a more 'formal' connection with the Ministry or some kind of sponsored, concerted effort to keep Harry safe. Somehow, it makes a bit more sense (at least, at the moment) than a relative.

  Corinth:
    However, I believe she is in constant contact with
  Dumbledore as well as many others in the "old crowd" (which, by the
  way, I don't believe includes Arthur or Molly Weasley; but I digress).<<<<<<<
  No, no, no! ::jumps up and down:: You're not allowed to digress and then not say anything! Elaborate! Pleeaaase! ::stops jumping up and down, pants:: In, out... Why do you think this? I'm not challenging or anything, just curious.

  -Corinth, who is relieved to learn she is not the only one bothered by
  Latin translations of Germanic words.<<<<<<<

  To be fair (and academically correct), no language is completely pure. As long as it's existed in written form, English has borrowed from Latin, to varying extents. Most Germanic languages have appropriated little bits here and there -- blame the Romans for banging around Gaul and Germania and places like that. 'Candel' (modern 'candle') was a Latin loanword, and employed in all sorts of Anglo-Latin compounds, for example. We do have a mixed heritage, all of us :-)

  HF.


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