Why Latin For magic? (was: Identifying with Muggles in Potterver se - Humanities)

[James Sharman]

No: HPFGUIDX 158234

In the Thread "Identifying with Muggles in Potterverse  - Humanities"
bboyminn: Wrote
As far as knowledge of Latin, I suspect part of the 
theory of magic is explaining the root words that make 
up a spell. So, Latin as the roots of magical words 
would be taught as part of the theory aspect of Charms
and Tranfiguration.

 

James Muses:

 

I've always pondered why a lot of the magic seems to be Latin in origin.
There are definitely hints that wizards existed before Latin, so why Latin?

 

So I have a theory I would like to share with you. I have a suspicion this
does not relate at all to why JKR picked Latin, but I always like to find
explanations for things. I believe wizards could in theory use any language
for spell craft, Latin is useful and common for spell craft exactly because
it's a dead language that nobody speaks. 

 

Living languages (Like English) and fluid and constantly changing
(Regardless of what the dictionary makers might have us believe). Most
languages are littered with words that have radicly different meetings than
they first started of with. I believe that the words involved in a spell
have little to do with the actual magic; it's a focusing system to help
shape the thoughts in your mind towards the goal.  

 

The kids are taught to say the words as a mnemonic to shape the thoughts.
The dead nature of the language has fixed the meanings of the words making
the words have a consistent taught meaning to the users. Imagine possible
effects of a spell in English that used the word "bad" between kids who had
(and had not) been exposed to 80's culture.  

 

Evidence For:

Other Languages are used for spells.  The AK is not Latin (Aramaic? Arabic?
I can't remember.)

Evidence Against:

In HBP we see Harry use a couple of Latin spells without any idea of their
effect. This can be partially countered if Harry has gained a partial
subconscious understanding of Latin from HoM etc..

 

This is just me playing with ideas,  I would be interest to know what you
guys think.



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