Snape's chanting was: Re: CHAPDISC: HBP24, Sectumsempra

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 161297

> Carol:
> But what I was wondering when I wrote the question is why the spell
> requires a chantlike countercurse rather than a single word or 
phrase
> (contrast Levicorpus/Liberacorpus). <snip>

wynnleaf,

While I have thoroughly enjoyed Carol's questions and all the 
varying answers on this chapter, I have read them all day wondering 
why so many people assume that the songlike spell was a "chant."  No 
where does the narration describe it as a chant.

Perhaps many assume that the word "incantation" automatically means 
that the words are done in a chant.  This is not so.

Some definitions of "incantation" include:  "a ritual recitation of 
words or sounds believed to have a magical effect.  

"A formulaic use of words to produce a magical effect and to create 
an intensifying emotional temperature. The words may be chanted or 
spoken. It is very common in primitive literatures and is much used 
by sorcerers and witches, and also for ritual purposes as in a 
charm"  princeton wordnet
 
"An incantation is the words spoken during a ritual. such as those 
in praise of a god, in witchcraft or when casting a spell. It comes 
from the Latin incantare, meaning 'to utter an incantation', which 
would be done by an enchanter."  wikipedia

"A formula used in ritual recitation; a verbal charm or spell." The 
Free Dictionary

Because the words are formulaic or are recited, in no way means they 
must be "chanted" and even chanted does not necessarily equate to 
*rythmic* chanting, as some have supposed.  In fact, because JKR 
uses the word "songlike," I think we're being told that they were 
*not* chanted at all, but were closer to being a song.

So please do not assume that the countercurse (or whatever you'd 
call it) was chanted.  

Or is there some other reason why so many of you thought it was 
chanted?

wynnleaf --