[HPforGrownups] re: Magical Latin

[k12listmomma]

No: HPFGUIDX 186094

Miles wrote in <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/186065>:

<< Just look at the language question. Why are most spells using Latin? What 
is magical about Latin? Did manhood have no magic before Latin was spoken? 
How could there be ancient wizards in Egypt, before there was something like 
"Latin" at all? Aren't there indigene wizards in America and Africa, who 
will not know of Latin at all? And if Latin is important, why is this Latin 
so messed up? And if the language is not important, why aren't there working 
spells in English? >>

catlady at wicca.net
One spell in English is Tonks's 'Locomotor trunk!' Which ought to be 
'Locomotor cysta!'

Shelley now:
Actually, I disagree with your assement that the "object" of a spell must be 
in latin. Locomotor is the spell- the trunk is only the object that you want 
to cast the spell on, and is therefore not a part of the spell. For example, 
if a parent were to use this on a child (say a toddler) who was running away 
from that parent, the child's name need not be translated into Latin for the 
parent to bring that child back to him or her. Besides, the name of the 
object isn't always reverse-translatable into Latin- no such things such as 
gameboys, computers, modern vehicles, Nimbus 2000's, etc existed when Latin 
was used, and therefore wouldn't have a name in Latin. It fully makes sense 
that you name the object what you call it in real life, so that there is no 
confusion exactly what it is you are trying to move with that spell.

Actually, a simple answer to "why Latin at all" might simply date back to a 
time when only the most learned men had formal studies in magic, similar to 
the dark ages when only monks could read and kept learning alive, if the 
general population did not have access to magic schools. Those select few 
would have been educated in Latin, meaning most of the spells they created 
would have Latin names as part of keeping that learning segregated from the 
general population.