Does DD understand parseltongue? (was: Saving Ginny (was Re: Lockhart's incompet

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 143387

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Goddlefrood" <gav_fiji at y...> wrote:
>
> > Potioncat:
>  So, yes, I think DD speaks parseltongue.
> 
> Goddlefrood:
> 
> You may well be right. Being a person who understands multiple 
> languages (French, Fijian, Rotuman, German and Italian) without 
> actually speaking them I add that it is possible that while 
> Dumbledore can understand Parseltongue it does not mean that he 
> necessarily speaks it.
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> Confused?
> 
> TTFN
>

bboyminn:

I think Goddlefrood has the right idea. Let me use a similar example,
while I neither speak nor understand various Asian Languages, I can
usually distinguish one from the other. Thought, I'm probably a bit
rusty at the moment. For example, I can distinguish between Thai,
Japanese, and Chinese; even though I understand none of them. 

So, my point is that Dumbledore might recognised Parseltongue without
understanding it. Further, it's not hard to gather someone's intend
but their inflection and tone of voice, and general demeanor. As
someone else pointed out when a mad looking seemingly derange
individual confronts you with a brandished wand and knife and an
unpleasant agressive demeanor; it not hard to figure out he is say you
aren't wanted around here. Even further, this idea is supported by the
fact that the Gaunt's weren't engaged in long drawn out deeply
intellectual conversations in Parseltongue, the statements are few,
blunt, emotional, and to the points. Again, not hard to guess their
intent.

To the central point, in general Dumbledore may or may not speak
parseltongue, but the conversation in question does not actually
reveal this fact for us.

Just a thought.

STeve/bboyminn