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FYI, I've never heard someone from Haiti and Guyana refer to themselves as "Latino." And I live around quite a few of them here in NYC. I think "Latino" is a term that can be used interchangeably with "Hispanic," which has links to the Spanish language. I think this has a lot to do with why many do not call people from non-Spanish speaking Caribbean countries "Latino."
FYI, I've never heard someone from Haiti and Guyana refer to themselves as "Latino." And I live around quite a few of them here in NYC. I think "Latino" is a term that can be used interchangeably with "Hispanic," which has links to the Spanish language. I think this has a lot to do with why many do not call people from non-Spanish speaking Caribbean countries "Latino."
Outside of the US, nobody calls each other latino or Hispanic.
FYI, I've never heard someone from Haiti and Guyana refer to themselves as "Latino." And I live around quite a few of them here in NYC. I think "Latino" is a term that can be used interchangeably with "Hispanic," which has links to the Spanish language. I think this has a lot to do with why many do not call people from non-Spanish speaking Caribbean countries "Latino."
But what about Brazilians? They consider themselves Latin Americans and they don't speak Spanish, either.
It's so stupid to equate Latin with Hispanic. As if Spanish was the only Romance language.
Outside of the US, nobody calls each other latino or Hispanic.
My response was U.S.-centric, based on how people of various Caribbean backgrounds in the US refer to themselves. Perhaps I should've been clearer there.
But what about Brazilians? They consider themselves Latin Americans and they don't speak Spanish, either.
It's so stupid to equate Latin with Hispanic. As if Spanish was the only Romance language.
That's interesting. Because, in my experience, and clearly you have a different experience, Brazilian Americans do no generally refer to themselves as "Latino." To the extent that I have heard this, it has been fairly recent.
And that is, perhaps, a fair criticism. But, I'm just explaining why many people do not refer to people from non-Spanish Caribbean islands as being "Latino." Note, as I'm sure you're aware, the US government uses the terms interchangeably as well.
Sticking on the topic, I'm not sure if I think it is "stupid" to equate the two. Words only have the meaning that we give them. The term "Latino," as it is understood in the US is used to described people associated with Spanish language/culture. It is a rather narrow definition and is not meant to describe people of Latin descent generally. I liken it to the definition of marriage. While marriage has been understood in this country to mean a particular thing for centuries, now it (and for a few years at least in many states) takes on a different meaning. Again, words have the meaning that society gives them. And, in American society, "Latino" does not refer to people of Latin descent generally. That's only "stupid" or "silly" if you believe that Latino absolutely has to refer to any and everyone of Latin descent. And, since the term "Latino" seems to be very U.S.-centric in its use and understanding (perhaps, even in its origin), I really don't see the problem of US society defining the term as it does.
That's interesting. Because, in my experience, and clearly you have a different experience, Brazilian Americans do no generally refer to themselves as "Latino." To the extent that I have heard this, it has been fairly recent.
And that is, perhaps, a fair criticism. But, I'm just explaining why many people do not refer to people from non-Spanish Caribbean islands as being "Latino." Note, as I'm sure you're aware, the US government uses the terms interchangeably as well.
Sticking on the topic, I'm not sure if I think it is "stupid" to equate the two. Words only have the meaning that we give them. The term "Latino," as it is understood in the US is used to described people associated with Spanish language/culture. It is a rather narrow definition and is not meant to describe people of Latin descent generally. I liken it to the definition of marriage. While marriage has been understood in this country to mean a particular thing for centuries, now it (and for a few years at least in many states) takes on a different meaning. Again, words have the meaning that society gives them. And, in American society, "Latino" does not refer to people of Latin descent generally. That's only "stupid" or "silly" if you believe that Latino absolutely has to refer to any and everyone of Latin descent. And, since the term "Latino" seems to be very U.S.-centric in its use and understanding (perhaps, even in its origin), I really don't see the problem of US society defining the term as it does.
Why use the term "latino" then? It makes no sense. Why don't you get how it makes no sense? As if Spanish had the monopoly on Romance languages.
Why use the term "latino" then? It makes no sense. Why don't you get how it makes no sense? As if Spanish had the monopoly on Romance languages.
My original point stands.
It makes perfect sense based on the definition assigned to it; again, it only doesn't make sense to those who think Latino has to mean of Latin descent, but, as I already explained, that's not what the term means to those who have coined the term. The term could've easily been "Bleluga" or "Tintito." Wouldn't make a difference. Again, words only have the meaning that we, people, assign to them, and there is no rule saying that there has to be one definition/understanding for a particular word/term. Why don't you understand that?
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