View Full Version : Why don't they teach Latin at Hogwarts?
DanSumption 07-10-2005, 15:26 I've been reading the latest Harry Potter book recently (reading aloud to my daughter, I hasten to add: when reading to myself I usually choose something a little more grown up), and I came across something which interested me (slight spoiler alert).
In the book, Harry comes across a spell call Sectumsempra, but he doesn't know what it does. Well, the name sounded Latin to me, so I Googled "Sectum" and found out it means something like "cut forever".
Not knowing what the spell did, Harry decided to find out by casting it on somebody and, guess what, the results were rather messy.
Anyway it got me thinking: seeing as this and so many other spells from Harry Potter are in Latin, why the hell don't they teach Latin at Hogwarts? It seems like a no-brainer to me, and I'm sure it would help them no end with remembering their spells and also discovering new ones.
Come to think of it, why don't they have the Internet at Hogwarts? If even a non-Latin speaker like me could discover the meaning of Sectumsempra in a couple of minutes with the help of Google, just think how handy it would be to all those Hogwarts students who currently spend so much time searching through the school library.
BrainThrust 07-10-2005, 15:29 Y'see us muggles are much smarter since we don't have magic as a crutch to stand on. :P
Wilf
DanSumption 07-10-2005, 15:33 Yeah, well, I guess Wizards have only had a couple of thousand years to catch up with us in the "modern world", so perhaps not surprising they haven't managed to get Latin on the syllabus yet.
Kthebean 09-10-2005, 18:53 Hey dan...
Perhaps it's because its not actually a real school
:hihi:
Originally posted by DanSumption
I've been reading the latest Harry Potter book recently (reading aloud to my daughter, I hasten to add: when reading to myself I usually choose something a little more grown up), and I came across something which interested me (slight spoiler alert).
In the book, Harry comes across a spell call Sectumsempra, but he doesn't know what it does. Well, the name sounded Latin to me, so I Googled "Sectum" and found out it means something like "cut forever".
Not knowing what the spell did, Harry decided to find out by casting it on somebody and, guess what, the results were rather messy.
Anyway it got me thinking: seeing as this and so many other spells from Harry Potter are in Latin, why the hell don't they teach Latin at Hogwarts? It seems like a no-brainer to me, and I'm sure it would help them no end with remembering their spells and also discovering new ones.
Come to think of it, why don't they have the Internet at Hogwarts? If even a non-Latin speaker like me could discover the meaning of Sectumsempra in a couple of minutes with the help of Google, just think how handy it would be to all those Hogwarts students who currently spend so much time searching through the school library.
national curriculum mate. Bloody Labour Government is destroying our schools :rant:
Well I'm 17 (half child/half adult!) and the Harry Potter film did NOT seem childish, it was scary!!
When that giant snake was trying to get harry!
Even my mum agreed that it didnt seem like a childs film!
Is it just me??
Pseudonym 09-10-2005, 20:20 Originally posted by kathythebean
Hey dan...
Perhaps it's because its not actually a real school
:hihi:
Aww, did you HAVE to say that? you've spoilt it all for me now! :(
Conversely DanS, maybe our National Curriculum should include "Defence Against The Dark Arts"? It'd sure make a few bullies think twice! ;)
Originally posted by kathythebean
Hey dan...
Perhaps it's because its not actually a real school
:hihi:
Holy Crap:o It's not!
Well spotted DanSumption. I was lucky enough not to be forced to learn latin. Our next door neighbour, who was an English teacher, though that was a travesty. She believed all students should learn it as a basis for understanding our own language. You'd think at Hogwarts it would be a requirement. But then again, they don't have english or maths either. "alright":thumbsup:
DanSumption 10-10-2005, 08:28 Originally posted by H_E_M
Even my mum agreed that it didnt seem like a childs film!
Is it just me??
Sadly not :hihi:
Kathy - not a real school? Nooooooooo!!!
I HAD to learn latin at school - for three years in fact. It has actually proved to come in handy. I'm starting to learn Italian and can find I pick it up quite easy as I already recognise a lot of the verbs and vocab due to them having a latin base.
However, on the subject of Hogwarts - perhaps its because ITS NOT REAL. :D
(wish it was though - i wanna be a wizard :) )
DanSumption: I've been reading the latest Harry Potter book recently (reading aloud to my daughter, I hasten to add: when reading to myself I usually choose something a little more grown up), and I came across something which interested me (slight spoiler alert).
Well, DanSumption, I only started reading Harry Potter this summer and am totally hooked. I make no apologies for being a fully grown adult and I have no excuses that I am reading to a younger child!
I think JKRowling has the gift of keeping anyone interested. Since late August I have raced through the first five books and have just received the sixth for my birthday. Can't wait to start it!
PS I also read "grown up" books!
PPS Although I have tried to follow the instructions for reproducing the quote from your post, all I get is a dull thud and nothing happens!
Babooshka 10-10-2005, 18:27 I learned Latin too. Fabulous subject!
Chris_Sleeps 13-10-2005, 10:12 Originally posted by H_E_M
Well I'm 17 (half child/half adult!)
Which half is which?
BrainThrust 13-10-2005, 11:36 Originally posted by Chris_Sleeps
Which half is which?
The front half, obviously
Wilf
Originally posted by DanSumption
Anyway it got me thinking: seeing as this and so many other spells from Harry Potter are in Latin, why the hell don't they teach Latin at Hogwarts?
More to the point why dont they teach Google at Hogwarts?
DanSumption 13-10-2005, 11:44 Originally posted by Chris_Sleeps
Which half is which?
And which half is whizard?
diskoheaven 16-10-2005, 09:17 Originally posted by Avalon
More to the point why dont they teach Google at Hogwarts?
Ah the wonderful magic of Google and it's toolbar...
More to the point, I learnt latin at school and even opted to take it for GCSE, as much as I hated it at the time it helps me understand what some stupidly long words mean, and people always seem pretty impressed by it too!!
muddycoffee 16-10-2005, 10:33 Originally posted by diskoheaven
I learnt latin at school and even opted to take it for GCSE, as much as I hated it at the time it helps me understand what some stupidly long words mean, and people always seem pretty impressed by it too!!
I'm impressed..
Any of the latin based european languages, common ones being French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, when studied are likely to give you a greater insight into English as your own language too. All these languages plus Greek, German, Arabic, Gaelic, Netherlandic and the Scandinavian languages have so much which has fed into English and back, learn any of them and your english vocabulary will expand and your understanding of English will improve.
Other things I noticed about Hogwarts is that all their meals seem to be comfort foods, quadruple helpings and unhealthy desserts and they are all skinny, despite the only sport practiced being a sitting down on a broomstick game.
And how come none of the Professors seem to be married or have their own children?
diskoheaven 18-10-2005, 10:34 Originally posted by muddycoffee
I'm impressed..
...learn any of them and your english vocabulary will expand and your understanding of English will improve
I don't think I'd go quite that far. My grasp of the english language seems to be getting worse as I get older (i'm 20!), it took me about 20 minutes to think of the word I wanted the other day!
Maybe its true what they say about drinking too much affecting your brain?!
I can't believe the ending!!
I have just finished book six, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
What is going to happen next???
Talking of things that do and don't happen at Hogwarts
noone seems to have a shower or a bath.
They always get up and get dressed straight away. Straight into pyjamas before bed.
Considering each meal is spelt out in detail, including how many helpings, I do worry that the little wizards-to-be are not getting washed very often.
I'm sure that Latin isn't mentioned, or English, come to that, because it is too obvious to mention. Of course they must take Latin... and English.
|
|