[lit-ideas] Re: Are they synonymous?
- From: Robert Paul <rpaul@xxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 12:05:28 -0800
The usage of "hispanic" and "latino". Are they interchangeable where you
are, everyone, anyone? Are there nuances to each, or ways in which they are
used differently in your area?
The American Heritage® Book of English Usage.
A Practical and Authoritative Guide to Contemporary English. 1996.
6. Names and Labels: Social, Racial, and Ethnic Terms
§ 36. Hispanic
Hispanic and Latino are both widely used in American English as terms
for a person of Spanish-language heritage living in the United States.
Though often used interchangeably, they are not identical, and in
certain contexts the choice between them can be significant. Hispanic,
from the Latin word for ?Spain,? is arguably the broader term,
potentially encompassing all Spanish-speaking peoples in both
hemispheres and emphasizing the common denominator of language among
communities that sometimes have little else in common. Latino, which
is probably derived from the Spanish word for ?Latin American,? refers
more exclusively to persons or communities of Latin American origin.
Of the two, only Hispanic can be used in referring to Spain and its
history and culture; a native of Spain residing in the United States
is a Hispanic, not a Latino, and you cannot substitute Latino in the
phrase the Hispanic influence on native Mexican cultures without
garbling the meaning.
In practice, the geographic distinction between Hispanic and Latino is
of little significance when referring to residents of the United
States, since the great majority of people in this group are of
Latin-American origin and can be denoted by either word. A more
important difference stems from the claim that Latino is a term of
ethnic pride in a way that Hispanic, with its perceived echo of
Spanish imperialism, is not. According to this view, Hispanic lacks
the authenticity and flavor of Latino, which is derived directly from
Spanish and can change to Latina to indicate female gender. A further
objection to Hispanic is that it is the term most often used in formal
or official contexts?as on government applications or census forms?and
as such bears the stamp of an establishment that to some seems far
removed from the community (or communities) these words refer to.
While these views are strongly held by many, they are by no means
universal, and the division is as much geographical as it is
political. Latino is overwhelmingly preferred in California whereas
Hispanic is the clear choice in Florida as well as in Texas and most
of the Southwest (though in these regions Chicano is also widely
used). In other areas and in the national media, usage tends to be
mixed. An outsider is best advised to follow the prevailing custom
wherever it can be determined, but you need not worry in most
situations about giving offense, since both terms remain current and
in many contexts continue to overlap.
Note that Hispanic and Latino refer only to language and culture;
neither term should be thought of as specifying racial makeup. You
should also keep in mind that the growing Hispanic population of the
United States is made up of people from many different national and
ethnic backgrounds who do not necessarily compose a single unified
community. Whenever possible you should consider substituting a term
such as Mexican American, Cuban American, or Puerto Rican for the
broader Hispanic or Latino.
The American Heritage® Book of English Usage. Copyright © 1996 by
Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
------------------------------------
For what it's worth, 'local' usage, as determined by references in the
Oregonian seems to be that 'hispanic' is used when referring to
government policies, etc., and 'latino' ('latina') a more self-applied
term. Sometimes 'Mexican American' is used, but this term is
contentious insofar as many people (immigration hard-liners) believe
it to be an oxymoron.
Robert Paul
Reed College
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