JKR's Latin

[Frank D]

No: HPFGUIDX 176921

> Geoff:
> JKR's Latin leaves a little to be desired on occasions. Whether that is
> deliberate or not is open to question - perhaps some of the Latin used
> for spells etc. has been deliberately changed.
> <SNIP>
>> So "herself's" Latin is decidedly suspect..... :-)
>

Frank D:
I'm trying to clarify: I don't think it's stated anywhere that spells
or curses must be in schoolbook Latin. It's obvious that so many of
them are not (e.g., "Alohamora," "Avada Kedavra"). Of course, this
inconsistency could be attributed to each spell originator's having
used his/her own desired name or language for a particular spell. Have
we been given any guidance by JKR as to preferences or rules for
naming spells? And what about Snape's "Sectumsempra"? Snape is always
so picky about adherence to rules but why did he choose a
"non-standard" format for the name of his own invented curse? "Sectum"
means to cut up or chop, but what does "sempra" mean? ("Semper" means
"always," but what would Snape intend by "cut up always"?) And why
combine the two Latin words into one? In the interests of enjoying the
books, I think I will just accept the terms as they are and not try to
parse them.