Hispanic v. Latino v. Mexican

[Neutre]

Originally Posted by questioner2

I think they like the term Latino now. It sounds so sexy and hip. I think the average person in an Hispanic county likes to downplay their Indian background and play up their European (Spanish) background. What term makes them more European is likely the most popular.

Yes, and the Latinos are looking forward to the time when they will be absorbed as Whites, just like Irish, Jews, Eastern and Southern Europeans became "white".
The Latinos looove to emphasize their whiteness. At least the ones in Latin America. I don't know if those who grew up in America still have this mentality.

[Neutre]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

To me; 'Hispanic' and 'Latino/a' are synonymous with one another.

A 'Mexican' is a citizen of Mexico. Like Americans; Mexicans can be of any race.

Countries whose citizens could be of any "race":
Germany
The Netherlands
France
The UK

[Neutre]

Originally Posted by rogaciano rogacianez

"latino" is simply incorrect to describe someone who is from the former spanish colonies since they are mostly of native, black and other racial mixes and have very little to do with "Italy"(the real latinos) other than through catholicism. It is as incorrect as calling anyone of the former english colonies "germanic" or "teutonic". Imagine Oprah Winfrey being called a germanic woman. Now if you referred to her as "anglo" would be more apropriate but not necessarily accurate to describe her. So is the case of hispanics. I always call myself hispanic and when someone call me latino i say to them that I have no Italian blood neither am I from the Lazio region. I am from Mexico, a country that has such rich ethnic variety that I find ridiculous to borrow toponyms from other places that are more cultural acceptable to the main stream US. There is no way of erasing our hispanic heritage and is a common thread in the continent but I would much rather be refered to as simply Mexican, or if you want to get racial i can tell you I am totonac, basque, gallician and andalucian.

Latino in America is usually used as an abbrevation of Latinoamericano.

[amc760]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

In common usage: the word 'American' by itself refers to citizens of the USA only.

Mexico=Mexican
Canada=Canadian
USA=American.

In common usage within the United States itself.

Through the rest of the Americas, people from the U.S. are referred to as Estadounidense.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by amc760

In common usage within the United States itself.

Through the rest of the Americas, people from the U.S. are referred to as Estadounidense.

Here we call citizens of Mexico Mexicans whereas SOB they refer to themselves as Mexicanos.

Similar concept; different words

[Neutre]

Originally Posted by amc760

In common usage within the United States itself.

Through the rest of the Americas, people from the U.S. are referred to as Estadounidense.

In common usage throughout the world.

Even among Spanish speakers there are many who refer to an American as american@.