Parseltongue--other languages

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 124683


Mnemosyne:
> 
> If some wizards can talk to snakes, why shouldn't some be able to 
> talk to other animals as well?  What would be so special about 
> snakes that would limit the communication link to them?  Also, 
you'd 
> think if some wizards could talk to cows and chickens, there'd be 
> more vegetarianism in the WW.

Finwitch:

Well... 

1) Snakes are poisonous or able to strangle a person. They're very 
deadly to humans. Basilisks in particular...

2) Association comes from the fact that all known parseltongues (with 
the exception of Harry, of course) *have* the reputation of being 
dark wizards- Slytherin (well, dunno how bad he *really* was, but...) 

Apart from that... well, I wonder how many wizards can speak 
Gibbledegook or Mermish. And do house-elves perhaps have their own 
language?

I think that wizards CAN create an understanding with Owls (well, 
Harry IS talking to Hedwig, and Hedwig manages to express herself 
understandably). Phoenix appears to be very much able to communicate 
as well. And I suppose the expression 'little bird told me' has to do 
with some, if not most wizards being able to communicate with some 
birds.

Also, I suppose that animagi CAN communicate with animals (Sirius did 
with Crookshanks);

Finwitch