Language and Communication Quotes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Thought: Parseltongue is the language that snakes speak. One of the original founders of Hogwarts, Salazar Slytherin, was a powerful and power-hungry wizard who could speak Parseltongue. He handpicked students for Slytherin house way back in the day, favoring those who could speak to snakes. Both Voldemort and Harry are Parselmouths.

Thought: There is no e-mail, no TV, no text messaging, and no twittering going on at Hogwarts. The students communicate with the outside world via owls, and they hear about what is going on outside castle walls via the Daily Prophet, a newspaper.

Thought: Hermione is very aware of what is going on in the world. She takes it upon herself to be informed. Everyone at Hogwarts is pretty isolated from the outside world, and the Daily Prophet helps them stay connected. As the wizards and witches in Harry's year get closer and closer to graduation and to the knowledge that they will be released into the outside world, they begin to understand that their education is teaching them how to survive in the real world, how to use their magic to the best of their abilities.

Thought: Part of being a good wizard has to do knowing how to communicate with creatures of all different kinds. This takes great awareness, compassion, and a willingness to get to know a perspective different from one's own. Harry seems to be good at this.

Thought: Rumors and gossip are a huge part of how information gets passed around in the world of Harry Potter. We almost think that rumors and gossip play a bigger role in Harry's world than it does in our own, but you might disagree with us. What do you think?

Thought: Lies and deception form the glue between the obstacles that stand in Harry and Dumbledore's way. One must often sift through such lies when one communicates with someone in the Wizarding community in order to find out what truth is at the heart of the matter. Voldemort seems to know this and is able to manipulate communication well.

Thought: Harry tries to activate the Room of Requirement by using his thoughts only. Throughout Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the young witches and wizards begin to learn how to conduct magic silently, using their mind alone. Here, we see Harry struggle with this complex kind of magic.

Thought: It is Voldemort who gives Harry access into his Dark mind and to his Dark thoughts. Harry and Voldemort share an intense connection precisely because Voldemort built that connection. Harry communicates with Voldemort in a way that no other person is able to.

Thought: Language is used to not only communicate feelings, wants, and needs in Harry Potter, but it is also used to perform magic. It is a means of survival.

Thought: Malfoy is able to penetrate Hogwarts with Dark Magic by manipulating means of communication.

Thought: A huge chunk of Dumbledore's wisdom has to do with his ability to communicate with and, therefore, to understand so many different kinds of wizards, witches, and magical creatures. He is a true leader because, rather than isolate himself from the Wizarding community, he has sought to educate himself on the diversity within it. He values the various cultures, beliefs, and languages that exist within this community.