Search from various English teachers...
Евгений (Eugene)
Professional TeacherHarry Potter subtitles "What's he teach?"
Hello!
Currently I am studying the Harry Potter subtitles and I have a few questions!
1st fragment:
- I'm half and half.
Me dad's a Muggle. Mum's a witch. (Why not "my dad"?)
- What's he teach? (Can we do a contraction of "does"?)
2nd fragment:
That ain't no ordinary cut
on your forehead, Harry.
(Why do we put "no" here? I didn't know you can do double negation in English)
3rd fragment:
- You don't want to go making friends
with the wrong sort.
I can help you there.
- I think I can tell the wrong sort
for myself, thanks. ( Why do we need “for”? Is it possible to say " I can tell the wrong sort myself" )
Thanks a lot!!
Yevgheniy
Oct 4, 2017 8:20 AM
Answers · 4
2
1st fragment:
- I'm half and half.
Me dad's a Muggle. Mum's a witch. (Why not "my dad"?)
"me" is a slang British variant of "my".
- What's he teach? (Can we do a contraction of "does"?)
It's not a standard contraction but people in the UK do use it. I don't recommend copying it!
2nd fragment:
That ain't no ordinary cut
on your forehead, Harry.
(Why do we put "no" here? I didn't know you can do double negation in English)
Again, the double negative "ain't no" is is non-standard slang. It's common also in US English. It's wrong and we know it's wrong.
3rd fragment:
- You don't want to go making friends
with the wrong sort.
I can help you there.
- I think I can tell the wrong sort
for myself, thanks. ( Why do we need “for”? Is it possible to say " I can tell the wrong sort myself" )
"For" is a bit strange here. "by" would make sense. I alone am the agent of the "telling of the wrong sort".
October 4, 2017
Thanks, Elizabeth!!
October 4, 2017
That ain't no ordinary cut on your forehead, Harry. (Why do we put "no" here? I didn't know you can do double negation in English)
In America, when we use this type of incorrect language knowingly, we are exclaiming the point and we are showing disregard for "proper" speech. We might also be trying to fit in with a group of peers. Such as teenagers in rural areas.
If a native speaker uses this type of incorrect language unknowingly, it's usually due to lack of education.
October 4, 2017
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Евгений (Eugene)
Language Skills
Armenian, English, French, Georgian, Greek (Ancient), Kazakh, Persian (Farsi), Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian
Learning Language
Armenian, English, French
Articles You May Also Like

How to Ask for a Raise or Promotion in English
9 likes · 8 Comments

The Key to Learning a Language Faster
30 likes · 8 Comments

Why "General English" is Failing Your Career (An Engineer’s Perspective)
30 likes · 12 Comments
More articles
