The Reason Why Is Because the Magic of Any Standard Spell Is Not in the Mere Speaking Of

M

y research (and a far too long chat with Professor Jackson) indicates that the language used for any given spell is unimportant. This does not, however, mean that one may simply translate "Wingardium Leviosa" into any other language and expect to levitate things.

The reason why is because the magic of any standard spell is not in the mere speaking of the words. When a witch or wizard speaks the words of a spell, those words trigger a complex magical effect (this is the important bit) that was originally "coded" in a much more complicated manner by an extremely talented wizarding organization.

SPELLS AS SHORTCUTS TO TECHNOMANCY

Think of the spoken spell as a Muggle computer command-- say, a button that opens an interface. The "magic" is not in the act of pressing the button, but in the painstaking programming that pre-determined what that action does.

Being a witch or wizard means having access to the complicated and potentially unlimited processes of magic. Spells, therefore, function as "shortcuts" that harness the extremely difficult technomancy of magical power.

INTERNATIONAL SPELL-CASTING BODIES

Magical governing bodies the world over code their own spells in their own languages, distributing and teaching those spells through their local schools. Thus, an Iraqi wizard would likely not levitate a feather using "Wingardium Leviosa" but "أخفمنالهواء". A Malay witch would say "Melayang Usaha". And a Durmstrang first year might say "Lebdenje Lahkoten". These are all variations of levitation spells, all originally coded by the respective magical spell-master organizations of their language and region.

OF SPECIAL NOTE:

Just as a competent Muggle with a computer may learn programming and create their own software, so may a competent witch or wizard learn the complex technomancy of spell creation. This is generally illegal except in carefully regulated occupations, but there is a large and extremely active spell-mastering subculture in every wizarding community. While not all unregistered spell-masters are evil, it is a fact that most dark magic has been created by nefarious organizations of very evil witches and wizards.

It was Salazar Slytherins Circle of Nine, for instance, that invented and perfected the three unforgiveable curses. Voldemort himself was an extremely able spell-master, inventing the Dark Mark spell and many more used for his particular dark aims.

G. Norman Lippert/Professor Theodore Hirschall Jackson