Need your help!!

[Mistress Siana]

Sorry, this might seem completely off-topic, but it is really important for a theory of mine!
I need to know what kind of feelings/undertone native english speakers connect with the word "calculating", the way Snape sometimes looks. What does someone who looks calculating have in mind? Is his disposition rather negative or neutral? Everything is important!!
I ask this because if a word is translated correctly, the connotation can still be differnt. So please help me on that matter! Thanks!!

[highsorcerer]

I would say negative. When you give a calculated look, it means that you believe you know exactly what the other person is thinking in reponse to what you've said. It's often used to indicate that you can't keep a secret from them. Sometimes it's used to test out an idea of what you think the other person is thinking, provoking a response to confirm your idea.

[Augusta Longbottom]

yes, I agree with everything Highsorcerer said. I couldn't have said it better.
Definitely a negative.

[choki]

Calculating - making careful and clever plans to get what you want, without caring about anyone else

Calculated - a calculated crime or dishonest action is deliberately and carefully planned

I'm a native english speaker and calculated/calculating is as you can see a definite negative word

[Mistress Siana]

thank you! Actually, that was the answer I hoped for!

[Phinea Rogue]

And what about 'silken' (Snape's silken or silky voice), how is that understood by native English speakers? Because in my language it isn't negative, it's even something beautiful.

[Mistress Siana]

I also understood it that way!

[Scellanis]

silken voice.....its actually something I associate with a character like Snape or if you know LotR Saruman and Wormtongue would have a silken voice.....its when an evil calculating kind of person is trying to sound nice or good, lacing their voice with something nice to trick the person they are talking to into beleiving them.

[Ferrus]

Yeah, sonkems right, silky is a voice that tries to be nice, but is actully quite evil.

[Phinea Rogue]

Thanks a lot! But how comes Saruman in it? I remember his voice, it was enchanting. He could spellbound anyone who would listen to it, it was something like a weapon for him. That's silky too?

[Scellanis]

yeah well sort of, his is really a magic enhanced silky voice....basically the same idea as say snape using a silky voice but saruman had more power with his because he could lace it with magic aswell....

[Phinea Rogue]

I see, thanx