18. What is Johnny Rico's ethnic group in STARSHIP TROOPERS?
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This article is from the rec.arts.sf.written FAQ, by Evelyn C. Leeper evelynleeper@geocities.com with numerous contributions by others.
18. What is Johnny Rico's ethnic group in STARSHIP TROOPERS?
From page 205 of the 1968 Berkeley edition (end of Chapter XIII):
I said, "There ought to be one named _Magsaysay_."
Bennie said, "What?"
"Ramon Magsaysay," I explained. "Great man, great soldier -- probably
be chief of psychological warfare if he was alive today. "Didn't you
study any history?"
"Well," admitted Bennie, "I learned that Simo'n Bolivar built the
Pyramids, licked the Armada, and made the first trip to the Moon."
"You left out marrying Cleopatra," I said.
"Oh, that. Yup. Well, I guess every country has its own version of
history."
"I'm sure of it." I added something to myself and Bennie said, "What
did you say?"
"Sorry, Bernardo. Just an old saying in my own language. I suppose
you could translate it, more or less, as `Home is where the heart is.'"
"But what language was it?"
"Tagalog. My native language."
"Don't they talk Standard English where you come from?"
"Oh, certainly. For business and school and so forth. We just talk
the old speech around home a little. Traditions, you know."
"Yeah, I know. My folks chatter in Espan~ol the same way. But where
do you--" The speaker started playing "Meadowland"; Bennie broke into
a grin. "Got a date with a ship! Watch yourself, fellow! See you."
There is no room at all left for misinterpretation. Johnny Rico is a
Filipino; Tagalog is a Philippine language, Ramon Magsaysay was a hero
of the Philippine resistance, and many Filipinos have Spanish names.
[Provided by Eric Raymond.]
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