If you weren’t aware before, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a prequel to the wonderful and magical Harry Potter series. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you know you’re in for a treat when you get into this storyline. In today’s post, we’ll dive into the languages found in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!
The Background of the Harry Potter Universe Story
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is written by J.K. Rowling. Almost everyone associates the writer with the famous Harry Potter from the wizarding world. Initially, when she wrote this book she published it under the name ‘Newt Scamander’. Its intended purpose is to serve as a guidebook about magical creatures that exist in the Harry Potter Universe and the wizarding world.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the book, is said to be the actual textbook that Harry Potter uses during his time at Hogwarts. There are notes illustrated in the book that was written by Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, from the Harry Potter Universe.
The Storyline
Set in the early 1900s, Newton Scamander, a Magizoologist travels to New York City. He’s part of a secret community within the wizarding world. H just completed his world travels searching for, documenting, and capturing magic creatures. Being a wizard, he stores his collection in the suitcase that he’s traveling with.
Eventually, the creatures in Newt’s collection escape in the city, sending Newt into a frenzy trying to recover them all. In addition to this happening, New York is under attack from an ‘Obscurus’.
Of course, there are other heart-wrenching and adventurous turns of events as the plot unfolds, making this story a fun and interesting one, especially for those who are true Harry Potter Fans.
That said, as the story develops we meet more and more Fantastic Beasts and learn a little about them and their characteristics as we go along from Newt. With this in mind, we’ll be taking a look at some of these magic creatures as well as some other vocabulary that truly represent the languages used both in the film and book alike.
Defining a Beast
A Beast is a magical creature that lacks the intelligence to make sense of the laws surrounding the wizarding world. Minister of Magic, Grogan Stump, is the one who came up with this definition.
Fun fact: Did you know that extremists wanted to classify Muggles as Beasts as well?!
Vocabulary in the Languages Found in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Magical Beasts
Niffler
The Niffler is one of the first magical creatures we’re introduced to. It’s an extremely adorable black-haired, platypus-like creature that loves anything that’s shiny. This means that a Niffler goes after coins, jewelry, or any other kind of expensive treasure. It’s all stored in the trunk of their tummies and it almost as if they have bottomless storage inside there.
Bowtruckles
One of Newt’s favorite magical creatures is a Bowtrckle called Pickett. Bowtruckles are pocket-sized insects who have very sharp fingers and live in the trees that are usually used to make wands. Also known as Tree Guardians, Bowtruckles are very peaceful creatures who are very graceful and can get clingy at times. They munch on woodlice and can get aggressive when anyone tries to threaten their home.
Demiguise
Only a well-trained witch or wizard is able to see a Demiguise. They possess powerful traits. They are: Predicting the future and invisibility. It’s not very easy to catch them because of these abilities. They are ape-like creatures that come from the far east.
Erumpent
These are Rhinoceros-like creatures that can repel many spells. They are very dangerous creatures that eject deadly fluid that makes their victims explode. They are somewhat of an endangered species because when it comes to mating season they can easily blow themselves up in the process.
Thunderbird
Thunderbirds are very large creatures with eagle-like faces. Their large wings can be used to create storms as they fly. They are native to Arizona. Newt Scamander came to the United States in search of Frank, a Thunderbird.
Billywig
Billywigs are fast-moving creatures that are exquisitely coated in sapphire blue. It’s not easy to see or catch them especially if you’re a Muggle. They have a detrimental sting with side effects of levitation and giddiness.
Diricawl
In real life a Diricawl is a Dodo Bird. They are flightless birds but they have magic inside of them. They get out of danger by disappearing and reappearing somewhere new. A little secret within the Potterverse is that Muggles think Dodo Birds are extinct, but in reality, they’ve migrated from all non-wizard places.
Doxy
Another name for Doxy is Biting Fairy. They are very dangerous creatures and if bitten by one, you should immediately take an antidote or suffer the consequences brought on by their venomous teeth. They are known home infestors who love to laze around in your drapes.
Other Vocabulary in the Languages Found in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Auror – An Auror is a witch or wizard who is highly trained in investigating magical crimes. In the film, we meet Tina Goldstein who is recently demoted from Auror to working at a desk.
Obscurus – We are met with the term Obscurus early on in the film. It is defined as a very dark and destructive force that originates from a young witch or wizard who attempts to suppress the abilities they have in magic
Magizoologist – Newt Scamander is a Magizoologist. Magizoologists study magical creatures.
Conclusion
We’re sure your magical vocabulary has broadened. The languages found in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them are a wonderworld of their own! It’s always a pleasure to take you on the journey with us as we explore the wonderful world of languages.
Of course, if you’re in need of Translation or Interpreting services, we here at Day Translations are here to help. We guarantee 100% human translations every time and we’re here to help you, no matter the language 24/7.