[HPforGrownups] Re: Identifying with Muggles in Potterverse

[Peg DiGrazia]

No: HPFGUIDX 158191

zanooda wrote:
<snip>
  >However, sometimes it feels like something is missing from the story
>when it comes to studies. Take languages, for example. I always
>thought it was strange that they don't teach Latin in Hogwarts,
>considering that most incantations are based on Latin. But, if you
>think about it, wizards have to know it, at least the ones who are
>talented enough to invent spells. If not at school, where do they
>learn it? 

Peg:
  I suspect subjects such as Latin and the three R's are folded into the regular Hogwarts curriculum -- to me, the long writing assignments the students have, along with being useful tools for the professors to teach and correct grammar and spelling, are evidence that the theory behind the spells is taught at Hogwarts, not just the spells themselves.  I would think that, especially for charms and transfiguration classes, rudimentary Latin would be a part of that theory.  And in order to be successful in potions and herbology, the students have to understand weights & measures, fractions, etc.
   
  The humanities stuff I have more of a problem reconciling, but not every student spends three nights a week practicing Quidditch.  There could easily be extracurricular clubs or elective classes that deal with the arts.  Harry as a "jock" might only be vaguely aware that there is a choral group at the school, just as I, as a "music geek" in high school, was only vaguely aware that there was a photography club in my school, and didn't know anyone who belonged to it (Colin Creevy, anyone?)


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