Re: Russian Slang in Heinlein's Work

From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@datamann.com)
Date: Sat Aug 11 2001 - 08:42:21 MDT


Harvey Newstrom wrote:
>
> > >> Would you please explain further your belief that Heinlein was actually
> > >> pandering to leftists when he utilized Russian slang in that book? I
> > >> naively thought that it was because he foresaw a greater role for the
> > >> Soviet Union in the future than has so far turned out to be the case.
>
> I always assumed that the Russian slang on the Moon was due to the race
> between the Americans and the Russians to reach the moon first. Regardless
> of which side one, most people expected the moon to be populated by half
> Russians and half Americans.

Yes, but there was a similar number of chinese people, yet there was a
total absense of chinese slang, proverbs, etc. I don't know if this was
simply something RAH overlooked, but the use of Russian slang does fit
with the desire by Heinlein and others for literary acceptance. I did
not say that he was 'pandering to leftists', but he rightly recognised
that gaining literary recognition would translate to more sales.



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