Why do demons always speek in Latin?

Question

It seems like every time I hear about a ghost story or demon story, the beings always speek in Latin. Or magical spells are always written in Latin. I thought Latin was a dead language. Oh wait, I think I just answred my own question. But anyway, is there some significance between demons and the Latin language?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church used Latin for centuries, until, I think, Vatican II back in the sixties. Latin was also the official language of intellectuals for, well, not quite as long, but still a very long time after the fall of the Roman Empire. Lots of scientific treatises and religious texts were written in Latin, including the fun, mostly mystical alchemists' stuff. Because of that long history, Latin is kinda fixed as an old-timey, highly ritual, religious language, perfect for angels, demons, and scruffy guys smelling of sulphur with their beards half burnt off.

Answer 2

The Roman empire streched from England to Egypt, from Spain to the edge of India, with Latin being the "official" language of the empire. Much like English is quickly becoming the global language, Latin was the global language of the ancient world and so writting spells (from a warlock's point of view) or conversing (from the demon's point of view) in Latin ensured the survival of your message, lessons. Later, Latin became the language of the learned and "blessed" and became a sign of power and wisedom.

Why they STILL use Latin today is a combination of tradition and humor. Spell writers us Latin because it is a tradition, much like the Catholic church still preforms Mass in Latin though very few could know it. There is nothing special about Latin, other than it sounds pretty. Spirits, demons, summons tend to use Latin as either a test of wisedom/wit, universal translator (as many modern languages have elements of Latin in their vocabulary and grammar, it just takes time to put the meaning together) or because they think it is funny, as you can say something completely meaningless in Latin but still have it sound important.

~~ Abaddon

Answer 3

I do not think there is a correlation between Demons and Latin language but they may want to show the conversation as mystic so scenarists write them in Latin language

Answer 4

In the classical Roman period, people were very superstitious and the Roman Catholic Church pretty much influenced most of the empire. Latin was the language used in the church and therefore the language used to communicate with "the spirit realm". It is still used today in stories because there is a mystical element about it.

Answer 5

Much of Law is based on the Latin language and we all know what lawyers are like so... question answered: Demons are dead lawyers.

Answer 6

In nomine patri, filius, et spiritus sanctus...I call them much less perplexing to talk that Greek or Egyptian (The language of the Khem sounds much greater like choking or clearing your throat than Hebrew). Plus, the "found out" Catholic scriptures that the exorcism rites come from (The Roman Rituals), have been in Latin.

Answer 7

People stereotype when they compose the stories. I've never heard of demons speaking Latin in any stories, etc.

Answer 8

This isn't entirely true. Dick Cheney speaks English. George W. Bush speaks a sort of broken English. I don't think either of them speak Latin.

Answer 9

it's a romance language. Always dangerous.

Answer 10

They are kind of like the clergy. They don't want anyone to understand them. Kind of like a club.