Priori Incantatem -> spell endings

[annemehr]

No: HPFGUIDX 100274

> Geoff wrote:
> However, there is an element of inconsistency 
> here. The tendency is for the casting of the spell to use the Latin 
> vocative case (the "speaking case") which usually ends in an "o". 
> There are exceptions: "tantallegra" and "serpensortia" come to mind 
> and then there are stupefy" and "scourgify" aren't Latin. But then, 
> languages tend to break their own rules because of usage anf the 
fact 
> that they are organic, developing entities
> 
> Now SnapesRaven:
> You are right (as well as Annemehr), but I'd like to add my thoughts 
to this. 
> I dwelled on the forming of curses/incantations/spells and came to 
the same conclusion - almost.
> You pointed out correctly that the vocative case is the one mostly 
used in a spell. But I think there's an easy explanation as to why for 
example "serpensortia" and "tarantallegra" (and others) are different. 
> You say, "Imperio!" when intending to control another person; you 
say, "Reducto!" when you want to magically drill a hole into something 
(if I recall correctly), you say, "Alohomora!" when willing a door to 
open. 
> Do you see what I mean? - Whenever someone intends to do something 
*himself* with help of the spell, e.g., control another person, there 
is the use of the 'o' ending. This correlates with the Latin meaning: 
imperi-o means 'I order', imperi-mus means 'we order' etc. It depends 
on the individual share the caster has in the outcome of the spell. 
(Oh dear, I think I'm not very successful at stating my point clearly, 
am I?) The -a ending is more of an order itself ("Alohomora!" -> order 
for the door to open [by itself]), it doesn't serve as an expression 
of the caster's own action but simply makes something happen. 
> 
> I hope this helped...

Annemehr:
I remembered one more thing about the form of Latin that Jo uses. I 
was able to find an interview question on Quick Quotes which suggests
we needn't take HP Latin too seriously.

>From a CBC broadcast of 23 Oct., 2000:

Rogers: Your books have brought sort of a renewed interest in Latin.

                 Rowling: [laughs] I went back to my old university 
very recently, I did French and Classics there. I had
                 to give a speech, which was very nerve-wracking 
because I'm speaking to very studious and learned
                 people, some of whom used to tell me off for cutting 
lectures. And I said in my speech 'I'm one of the
                 very few who has ever found a practical application 
for their classics degree.

                 It just amused me, the idea that wizards would still 
be using Latin as a living language, although it is, as
                 scholars of Latin will know ... I take great 
liberties with the language for spells. I see it as a kind of
                 mutation that the wizards are using. 

So, wizarding Latin is not the Latin the Romans spoke, and niether is 
it the Latin of the Church or Scholars. Wizards use it, and bastardise 
it, and have spells in other languages as well (e.g. Avada Kedavra and 
Stupefy). Latin is a living language for wizards, so it changes, just 
as English does for us -- e.g. the way "reference" has become a verb. 
:P

Which is why I've decided to allow myself to continue saying 
"ack-see-oh," because I like it that way.  ;-)

Annemehr
Accio Firebolt!
~and I bet in GoF-The Movie they just have Harry *carry* his broom to 
the first task...