Fearing (was Learning) Voldemort's Name

[dcgmck]

No: HPFGUIDX 111478

[snip] 
> Now Cory:
> 
> This is truly clever.  On a slightly more serious note, I've always 
> thought it was curious that people actually fear to speak 
Voldemort's name.  I mean, there have been Muggles who could be 
likened to Voldemort (Hitler, et al), but nobody has ever feared to 
speak their names.  I wonder if speaking the name actually has some 
kind of effect, like he draws power from those who fear him or 
something.

dcgmck:
Ursula LeGuin in "Wizard of Earthsea" notes that in old magic the 
knowing of an object's or person's real name is power over that 
person/object.  In many religions and cultures using a name is 
invoking that entity, whether for good or for ill.  I've felt all 
along that the wizarding community in England reflects a residual, 
often subliminal awareness of this as truth.  We have, after all, 
seen several references to the power and ongoing function of "old 
magic".  The general attitude toward actually saying or hearing 
Voldemort's name is reflective of such a sensibility, almost of 
recognition of power approaching that of deity, malignant deity.  
Certainly that seems to be Riddle's aspiration.