Language barriers

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 54158

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "larryngocnguyen83"
<larryngocnguyen at h...> wrote:
> ...edited...
> ... words spoken for spells and magic like "lumos" or
> "accio" are based in Latin or greek phrases in a western speech
> vernacular. I wonder how Southeast Asian, African, or other
> non-western wizarding populations with drastically different languages
> are able to perform magic when the words spoken are european based.
>
> Again, this may be rambling, but tell me what you think...
>      LArry


bboy_mn:

The 'western' incantations are in the ancient dead language of Europe;
Latin. But Asia has it's own ancient dead language that is even older
than Latin, it's called Sanskrit. As an example, the Sanskrit word for
'illuminate' (to light up) is 'Samcakas' and 'Anandi' means happiness,
enjoyment, or pleasure. There are Sanskrit dictionaries on-line. I
think the Sanskrit language dates back 6,000 years or more.

I'm sure there are equivalent languages in Africa. I assume that there
is some core or root that the many African languages are built on,
although I confess that I don't know what it is. 

In North and South America, I would assume that native magic is based
on Inca or Aztec derived words. Although N. & S. American magic has
been corrupted by European influences as well as African. The magic
you find in the Caribbean and in New Orleans are a blend of Native
American, French, and African. 

You may be suprised to know that in the real world (muggle) New
Orleans there are many magic stores where you can buy various spells,
charms, amulets, etc... based on this blend of native, French, and
African magic.

Just a few thoughts.

bboy_mn