[HPforGrownups] Re: When did Snape invent his curses?

[P. Alexis Nguyen]

No: HPFGUIDX 133847

Trekkie wrote:

<<<BIG SNIP>>>
> We still have Flitwicks words about Swish and Flick -
> 
> " Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words
> properly is very important too "
> 
> to signify that BOTH the pronounciation AND the wand movements matters. Also
> again the pronounciation. I mean, something like Vingardium Leviosa is
> fairly straightforward to pronounce, yet it still takes a lot of practice
> apparently. Yes the kids have had 5 years by now to practice but still, I
> would think a spell like Sectumsempra would need at least SOME practice.


I read this portion of the book and wondered if spell-working was not
similar to languages.  In first year, it is important to emphasize to
the kids that saying the words properly and having the right wand
movement is important, much like numerous language teachers
emphasizing the importance of pronunciation much more in the first
year, but most people, after that first year, get instinctual ideas of
how words should be pronounced.  What if, like languages, after a
while, people develop an instinct for what's right?  After all, that
would explain how people can learn spells from books, and perhaps
that's how the talented amongst them can pick up spells so easily. 
With five years of practice, it isn't unreasonable, then, to assume
that the kids have picked up the necessary instincts, especially
Harry, what with his many adventures and all.

~Ali