Mermish

Mermish was the native language of the merpeople.^[1] Mermish was a curious language that was specifically adapted for use underwater. When underwater it sounded like any other language;^[2][3] however, out of water, the language changed to a screeching, harsh and raspy sound.^[4]

Mermish also had a written form, as it was one of the seventy-two languages that Miranda Goshawk's Book of Spells was published in.^[5]

History[]

It is unknown whether non-merpeople who could speak Mermish that would sound the same as merpeople underwater i.e. whether or not they retained an accent (though they probably do), though it is known that non-merpeople could speak it. Dylan Marwood^[6] and Albus Dumbledore^[3] were known non-merperson speakers, and Percy Weasley claimed that Bartemius Crouch Senior could also speak it.^[7]

In the 1990–1991 school year, Jacob's sibling could not understand a merwoman even while underwater in the Great Lake.^[8] The merpeople of the Great Lake also communicated to them and their friends in Mermish when presented with tribute items underwater, voicing their strong approval for their gifts.^[9]

Behind the scenes[]

• In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery the player goes under the Great Lake at several points during which they interact with the merpeople there. When they do so the language is incomprehensible to the player. This is different to Harry Potter's interaction with the merpeople underwater, as they spoke English, albeit with a raspy accent. One possible explanation for this is that the merpeople were speaking to Harry using English, but speaking to Jacob's sibling in their native Mermish.
  • In Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Season 7: Black Lake Lullaby season, the player explores the Great Lake where the language from merpeople is also incomprehensible to the player.

Appearances[]

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Only heard from golden egg)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game) (Only heard from golden egg)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Only heard from golden egg)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Pottermore (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter (website) (Mentioned only)}
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Mentioned only)
• Wonderbook: Book of Spells (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: The Creature Vault (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Hogwarts Legacy (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened

Notes and references[]