The Power of Language
By Donelle Darkefell
   "Point Me!" It hardly seems a spell at all, yet this is indeed the incantation one uses for the "Four Point" spell that aids in getting you where you are going. There's not a scrap of Latin to be heard: the words are in plain English. Why, then, does the spell work?
   There is a misconception that the casting of charms is about the pronunciation of the specific words (Adler, 22). This is not, in fact, the case. The specific words taught serve to form recognizeable pathways in our mind through which we channel our focus, will, and visualization of a desired result (Pano, 80). Why else would it be that the words alone are not enough to cast a spell, or the mere recitation of the word "stupefy" does not render everyone nearby unconscious? There is no intent behind the word when merely spoken in conversation, no visualiation channeled with the aid of a wand.
   Magic was here before Latin was. "The Celts had spells that were every bit as effective as their Roman counterparts, centuries before Ceaser's army arrived on the shores of Gaul. The incantation "Rhys" substituted rather nicely for "Incendio" when one wanted to set something alight, for example, with no apparent difference in effects." (Whiteraven, 6).
   It is curious that many wizards believe the effects can only be produced in Latin. This is because most of our spells are taught to us this way. Latin forms a useful shorthand; it differentiates it from the normal English usage in our mind. It would be as simple to yell "Stun" as it would "Stupefy," but we have trained ourselves that Stupefy is the way the spell is cast, and thus for us it is. Most people, having learned this, would have difficulty achieving any effect by pointing one's wand and shouting "Stun."
   Young wizards attempting to learn a new charm often focus on the language, where it may be more productive to focus on the intent. This shattered focus is why a newly taught "lumos solarum" spell produces only a faint flicker of light, where a more experienced, powerful wizard speaks the words and creates a beautiful blaze of midday glory.
   Yet because Latin is the means we have been taught, have trained our mind to, we should strive to stay within its boundaries, to understand the roots and forms of the language and make use of them. In this manner the language becomes an additional tool to creatively and quickly modify or even create new effects on the spot, with less fear of losing one's focus. One /could/ cast an illusionary spell of a lion by simply uttering the word "Imago," but it is with far less effort of will and focus to use: "Imago Leonum!"
   That is not to say that a skilled wizard, on the fly and without the memory of the proper word in Latin, could not simply use the English equivalent, no matter how bulky "Illusionary Lion" might come out. "Point Me" proves that, a simple, useful charm created by a linguistically challenged wizard. Nor is it to say that one cannot eventually become powerful enough to do some charms without the benefit of the words, as our own Headmaster Dumbledore has done on a few occasions. It is merely to illustrate the role language has played in our approach to magic, and how it can be applied in a useful and efficient way.
   Citations:
   Adler, Tom. "Linguistic Magic."
   Whiteraven, Ann. "Ancient Incantations."
   Pano, Lano, "A Discussion on the Background of Modern Charms."
   A most enjoyable essay, Miss Darkefell! Final grade: Exceeds Expectations.