[HPforGrownups] Latin, languages, and sops to Cerberus (was Classical knowledge/ cultural education)

[pigwidgeonthirtyseven]

No: HPFGUIDX 33318


 
  Jenett <gwynyth at drizzle.com> wrote: 
>>Even if it's used in spells and
>>potions (and wherever else) does not mean that wizards are able to communicate
>>using Latin.

>It doesn't meant they *don't*, though. 

But the sensible thing to do would be to teach those students at least basic Latin skills, because they'd have a less hard time memorizing the spells. That doesn't mean they'd have to read enormously difficult texts, let alone speak the language, but it's far easier to know your spells, charms and curses by heart if e.g. you know that "accio" means "I call something/somebody".

 



<However, while music is one of the standard things to try with wild 
animals, it's more specific, in my recollection to *Orpheus* (a 
specific mythological human being) than linked to any specific 
animal. Certainly if I were going to go deal with a large three 
headed dog, I might well try it - but there's the trick of it being 
the first thing you try.>

There's absolutely nothing you can do to mitigate Cerberus, which is exactly why nobody before Orpheus had succeeded in entering Hades: It was he who put the monster to sleep by playing the lyra. But I agree that it might not be a good idea to make a random try just with *any* three-headed dog, assuming that Fluffy isn't identical with Cerberus.

Susanna/pigwidgeon37

 

 

 

 

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