Bellatrix Lestrange's French accent

[ghinghapuss]

No: HPFGUIDX 85217

> Robyn wrote:
> In listening to Jim Dale read OoP (American version), I noted that 
> he gave Bellatrix Lestrange what sounds to me like a French 
> accent.  Is there any canon to support that, or is Dale 
> extrapolating an accent from her French-sounding surname?

Now me:
He must be extrapolating based on her last name. Bellatrix Black 
Lestrange a Frenchie! Oh no, no, no! We know Bellatrix is a Black.  A 
British Pureblooded Wizarding family.  Now perhaps the Leastrange's 
are French. A dark magical family whose sons relocated to England to 
follow Voldemort, but it wouldn't mean Bella has an accent.  Even if 
she had been educated at Beauxbatons, where she could have 
potentially met the Lestranges, (although I doubt it) it wouldn't 
mean our Bella has a French accent. 

Notice the 'our' Bella?  Yes! I'm claiming Bellatrix to be 
undoubtedly a fellow English woman! Who else would be so fanatical?  
The Germans perhaps, but not the French!  

However, I will concede the Lestranges are not the only pureblooded 
family to have a French sounding name.  There is also the Malfoy 
family. And Voldemort is suspiciously French sounding, although he 
made that up.  Perhaps all the higher-class pure bloods are of French 
origin, in the same way all the English aristocracy were Normans back 
in the 11th century. But again it wouldn't give them a French accent, 
anymore than the Queen speaks with a French accent! Tosh Bosh!

My last thought on this matter is if the British purebloods are so 
fanatical about being 'pureblooded' I can't see them owing up to 
having any damned foreign blood in their veins!  No, no, no those 
Frenchies have their own wizarding aristocracy.  And can keep their 
smelly garlic mitts of ours!  ;-)

Mandy.