According to a poll conducted by Ohio State University the term Latino is gaining acceptance among Hispanics. However, another poll conducted by “Hispanic Trends” reported that a significant majority of Hispanics still prefer the term Hispanic.
Still, other polls show that older populations prefer Latino, while younger age groups prefer to be referred to as Hispanic. In other words, polls and studies on the subject conflict so substantially that it is hard to know the personal preferences of individuals.
The Definition of Hispanic
It is important to understand that the definition of Hispanic varies widely depending upon the source you use. Some say that “Hispanic” refers to race, but this is not true. Hispanic defines a region of origin, not a person’s race.
The U.S. Census Bureau also concurs that Hispanic refers to region, not race, and uses the term to describe any person, regardless of race, creed, or color, whose origins are Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or of some other Hispanic origin. In fact, areas conquered by the Spaniards were considered part of a region originally called Hispania.
Other definitions are much broader and try to define Hispanic in cultural terms; “related to Spanish-speaking people or culture,” rather than to either race of region.
Since it can be quite difficult to know which term to use a greater emphasis should be on what terms not to use; that is, those that are always considered politically incorrect.
What Terms Are Not Acceptable?
Almost universally, the word “Chicano” is considered unacceptable today, and is deemed derogatory. The term, first intended to degrade, was not coined by Mexican people, but by whites and other races. It referred to people of Mexican heritage but was intended to be disrespectful, labeling Mexicans as an inferior class in society.The terms “Mexicanos, Xicans preceded the label Chicano but all have the same intended meaning. And, while some Mexican-Americans are comfortable with being identified as Chicano, most are not. Unless you are Mexican-American yourself, do not use Chicano.
Important Points to Remember
The difference between Latino and Hispanic:- Latino generally refers to countries (or cultures) that were once under Roman rule. This includes Italy, France, Spain, etc. Brazilians are considered to be Latino, but are not considered to be Hispanic.
- Hispanic describes cultures or countries that were once under Spanish rule (Mexico, Central America, and most South America where Spanish is the primary language).
In American-English, Latino has come to be equated with Hispanic and are often used interchangeably without offense. However:
- Latino: When referring to gender neutral, identifying both men and women, use Latino.
- Latina: When specifically referring to women, use Latina.
