[HPforGrownups] Re: Godric Gryffindor- Half blood prince?

heather the buzzard tankgirl73 at sympatico.ca
Tue Jul 12 13:46:01 UTC 2005


No: HPFGUIDX 132526

Christine Whittaker <flowerchild4 at s...> wrote:

>>>I have read the title as the "champion (prince) of half-bloods", rather than "a prince who is half-blood".  
>>>      
>>>

>>>philippajrice wrote:
>>>
>>>I think that's a fair point, and it is less likely to be a literal 
>>>prince because there hasn't been any mention of a wizard royal family 
>>>before.
>>>

heather now:

As has been mentioned, the translations of the title show quite clearly 
that it does mean "a prince who is half-blood".
I've been thinking about this too, and I really doubt that JKR would 
have chosen this wording if she had meant the other.  The term 'prince' 
in that context is very colloquial and not very common.  Yes it is used 
for that, but it would have been a very odd choice of words.  I think it 
is WAY too much of a stretch for people to be speculating that.

She could have said "half-blood champion" if that was the meaning she 
wanted, for instance.  That would still have the ambiguity of 
is-it-a-champion-who-is-a-halfblood, but would not be too colloquial and 
uncommon a usage.

Anyway, apparently the french title is /Harry Potter et le Prince de 
Sang-Ml.  /If it was supposed to mean 'champion of halfbloods' it 
would have said "Prince DES Sang-MeleS", in plural.  Instead it says 
"The prince of half blood", clearly meaning himself.

heather the buzzard






More information about the HPforGrownups archive