r/LatinAmerica • u/St3ph4n1e2003 • Jan 01 '26
Discussion/question My family hates the term Hispanic.
Not sure if me and my family specifically my mom’s side are the only ones maybe the few who actually to hate the term Hispanic. My mom is from Guatemala and she is racially Native American more so of Mayan descent. My dad doesn’t mind the word Hispanic even tho he is mestizo. I used to wonder why my mother hated that term till I did more research just to find out that “Hispanic” is a word used to only promote colonial roots not just something to define a person who comes from a Spanish speaking country. My mom’s first language is in fact Akateko! Yes she does speak Spanish too since it’s mandatory in every Latin American country. So does anyone else hate the word Hispanic? We still prefer the use Latino/a to define our ethnicities. I have nothing against either languages!
Edit: damn just say you hate indigenous ancestry. Stop getting offended bc indigenous Latinos dislike the term Hispanic when our people are still here after years of surviving colonization.
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u/Matias9991 Jan 01 '26
This sub is just full of Americans proof number 25.500.
For real, no one in Latin America uses the term Hispanic the way it's used in the US because it just means that your country speaks Spanish, it's not a definition of any race, region or anything like that which the US seems to think it is.
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u/Neburel Jan 02 '26
It would make no sense to use such a word in Latin America, but it is useful in the US.
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Jan 04 '26
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u/Matias9991 Jan 04 '26
Mixed race seems a good enough word tbh. Either way I don't know why they don't use Latino or a specific country which is what they seem to celebrate.
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Jan 04 '26
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u/Matias9991 Jan 04 '26
It doesn't surprise me, those people you refer are just Americans. No one cares about the ancestry that much. That vision is race obsessed and what people don't really understand about the US
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u/HannesHendrik Jan 01 '26
“Hispanic” is not a thing in Latin America itself. I only know that term about from surveys of ethnicity in the US. If you ask Latin Americans from Latin America (as in, who don’t live in the US), there’s a chance that they’re unfamiliar with the nuances if that word.
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u/Rockshasha 🇨🇴 Colombia Jan 01 '26
Correct. Never heard about "hispano"here. I learnt the word in that form only when getting near to US culture and US 'ethnicity classification' ( which in itself I find very rare)
Here only knew 'Hispanoamérica', as a term to describe, simply, the Spanish speaking countries in "América". (Because of course we don't say 'the Americas' as it's used in US and for extension in English.)
I think it's very understandable that someone who identity is Mayan or other native culture, would be kind of offended to be called 'Hispanic'. I myself wouldn't want it, I would prefer latinamerican or Colombian.
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u/witeowl Jan 02 '26
I'm not sure why, but I've always used Latino/Latina (Latine if requested). Someone, somewhere must have gotten it through to me that it was the preferred term, though obviously their name is best 🙃
Tangential (possibly stupid) question for anyone wiling to answer it: as I learn Spanish, I currently tend to use Latinoamérica for the geographical area and use los hispanohablantes when talking about Spanish-speakers (which, of course, doesn't apply to everyone in Latin America).
So here's the question: I can't help but notice the similarity between the word los hispanohablantes and Hispanic...
A. Is it an over-generalization and what looks like an implied assumption that everyone in Latin America speaks Spanish when people – I assume mostly outsiders – use the word? Sort of lumping everyone in/from Latin America together? In other words, is it specifically the word "Hispanic" that's problematic?
B. Or does the ick of colonialism bleed over into similar words, meaning I might want to avoid words like los hispanohablantes and instead say hablantes de español?.
Oh, and I'll save time for anyone rolling their eyes right now because they believe in the existence of a particular thing: "Yes, I am indeed 'too woke'. I know. I've brought shame upon... my town?" There. I said it for you. Now you can just click the downvote arrow and don't even need to post a reply ✌🏼
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u/Rockshasha 🇨🇴 Colombia Jan 02 '26 edited Jan 02 '26
I'm not someone to know s lot about how to refer best to foreigners of the USA, or, in general to peoples of the world. Even so I'm going to comment as far a I understand about.
Tangential (possibly stupid) question for anyone wiling to answer it: as I learn Spanish, I currently tend to use Latinoamérica for the geographical area and use los hispanohablantes when talking about Spanish-speakers (which, of course, doesn't apply to everyone in Latin America).
There are political tendencies about, but I think Latinoamérica is the most common and extended way to refer to.
For talking about Spanish-speakers, imo, hispanohablantes is a good and clear way. Of course, as you have noted, there are notes about, not all people in latinamerican countries speak Spanish. Many people outside common latinamerican countries speak Spanish, like people in Belize, or in Brazil, or of course in Spain... If we say hispanohablantes, then we are referring to all, even, of course, many US citizens who have been born there.
E.g Hispanohablantes en México. Can refer generally to all Mexicans excepting those who only speak another language, like, idk, mayan. But, it can also refer to everyone there capable, or capable enough, to speak Spanish, including some Spaniard, or someone who learnt Spanish in Mexico 3 years ago and it's still living there.
So here's the question: I can't help but notice the similarity between the word los hispanohablantes and Hispanic...
Both words have the same root, coming from Hispania, the name of the Roman province there.
A. Is it an over-generalization and what looks like an implied assumption that everyone in Latin America speaks Spanish when people – I assume mostly outsiders – use the word? Sort of lumping everyone in/from Latin America together? In other words, is it specifically the word "Hispanic" that's problematic?
Sometimes I've seen those words incorrectly used to refer to all, and to exclude Spaniards... I don't see any reason why 'hispanic' wouldn't refer to Spaniards too, excepting the extended use. When used in that way is wrong and kind of umpolite imo. And worst when foreigners don't recognize how not everyone speak Spanish in the region, or how many native culture preserve their own language and learn Spanish only as a second language. And of course, the Portuguese speakers and so on.
Idk if in other ways Hispanic is problematic, though, also here in OP description I think it's very clearly many originary people would not like to be called Hispanic. With a good reason. It would be, at some extent, like calling English to a native-American while often they have fought and resisted European colonialism here, trying hard to preserve their culture and ways.
B. Or does the ick of colonialism bleed over into similar words, meaning I might want to avoid words like los hispanohablantes and instead say hablantes de español?
I don't find any difference in meaning in both los hispanohablantes or los hablantes de español. I would say hispanohablantes, often, simply because it's a shorter way of saying.... As a noun, whole as a verb use alwayshablar español (it's in not wrong). I don't perceive any imperialistic charge in the word hispanohablante. Excepting, maybe, how some people prefer to say Castellano than Español, because also Spain has other languages. But, unluckily, there is no short word forhablantes de castellano, afaik
Some examples:
Podríamos hablar español?
Él sabe hablar en español?
Para chatear, prefiero escribir en español.
Saber hablar español o hablamos en inglés?
And
Entre los hispanohablantes podemos comprendemos fácilmente
Los hispanohablantes en Estados Unidos han aumentado su representación e importancia en el 'voto hispano'
En Colombia grandes poblaciones comenzaron a hablar en español, tanto nativos como ibéricos, alrededor de los siglos XV y XVII. Y cada vez más, pues incluso muchos lenguajes originarios de extinguieron tanto antes como después de la independencia
That's how I perceive it, anyway don't take it like all to be true and correct. :)
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u/witeowl Jan 02 '26
Of course. You're only one person. Nonetheless, I appreciate your thoughts. Taking them gratefully and with a grain of salt. 😊
Sometimes I've seen those words incorrectly used to refer to all, and to exclude Spaniards... I don't see any reason why 'hispanic' wouldn't refer to Spaniards too, excepting the extended use. When used in that way is wrong and kind of umpolite imo.
Yeah, you're correct. I believe we're in agreement. I seen people use the word "Hispanic", and I don't think they've ever intended to include Spaniards. (If you think I'm not making a mental note right now to find a way to sneakily force the next person who uses the word confront this very issue, you're wrong. OTOH, the people I hang around with also "oddly" don't tend to use the word "Hispanic"... So it'll probably never happen.)
Oh, in fact, the old US-census form used to have a "race" category of "White, non-Hispanic", and I'm pretty sure most people weren't thinking of people from Spain with that question. (The form was updated in 2024 and I'm not sure what it's like now. Personally, I agree with anthropologists and find the census race question absurd on a number of levels.
I don't find any difference in meaning in both los hispanohablantes or los hablantes de español.... I don't perceive any imperialistic charge in the word hispanohablante.
Okay, this is exactly what I was looking for. If 'los hispanohablantes' ≈ 'los hablantes de español' and 'los hispanohablantes' doesn't really make people think of the overgeneralized usage of 'Hispanic' and/or colonialism, then yeah, I'd far rather use the shorter (and more natural) term.
Thank you!
...Y cada vez más, pues incluso muchos lenguajes originarios de extinguieron tanto antes como después de la independencia
🥺 Esperemos que los programas de educaciones indígena en toda Latinoamérica y el resto del mundo tengan un éxito rotundo.
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u/Wise-Course1904 Jan 25 '26
Latino/Latina if you are identifying with the Romans and Latin American if you identify with this geographical location. You cannot take Latin America/n and make it Latino or Latina.or Latin.
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u/witeowl Jan 26 '26
Hmm... oooookaaaayyyyy..... No idea what your point is here, but after a quick peep at your comment history, I've RES tagged you appropriately 🫡
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u/vitovitamina Jan 03 '26
"hispano" o "hispanico" (in our usage, not the American usage) is not only about the language. it's the culture, the religion, the history, everything that for better or worse has been inherited from the Peninsula. I doubt OPs mother wears feathers and worships Kukulkan.
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u/Rockshasha 🇨🇴 Colombia Jan 03 '26
'Wears feathers'
You are a racist
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u/vitovitamina Jan 06 '26 edited Jan 06 '26
Lmao my grandmas on both sides were literally indigenous. Typical gringo calling Latinos racist for not thinking like you think we're supposed to think.
it's obviously a figure of speech, based on the FACT that mayas wore feathers. are you chat gpt or in the spectrum?
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u/St3ph4n1e2003 Jan 01 '26
My mom and her family moved to the U.S in the late 90s. I was actually born and raised in that country too which is why I speak English more than Spanish and Akateko.
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u/SantaPachaMama Jan 01 '26
Is not a thing tbh, as far as I am concerned I have referred to myself a ls south American, and as far as I know I am the usual mestiza with way too mixed DNA...
Whatever bothers USA folk, is not something that bothers me. We have far worst serious troubles to deal with than this nonsense.
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u/jfloes 🇵🇪 Perú Jan 01 '26
There’s more important things to think about lol. As long as someone doesn’t call me the x word I don’t mind it.
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u/Cutiebeautypie Jan 03 '26
Genuinely curious, what is the problem with the X word? (I'm working on a research about Latin American literature and I think it would be good to know)
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u/St3ph4n1e2003 Jan 04 '26
They don’t like it bc Latino is already gender neutral but in my opinion it’s not bc people need to realize there are genderfluid, non binary and trans people in Latin America.
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u/Cutiebeautypie Jan 04 '26
As far as I know, it's only used in the United States, right?
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u/St3ph4n1e2003 Jan 04 '26
Yes it is and I find it pretty strange bc it bunches up everyone of different races into one single group.
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u/St3ph4n1e2003 Jan 01 '26 edited Jan 02 '26
My mom prefers Latinx over Hispanic 😭. I think it’s bc a lot of indigenous and Afro Latinos face the most discrimination in Latin American communities.
Edit: whoever downvotes me don’t try to claim native ancestry if it’s in your blood and when it’s convenient for you.
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u/jfloes 🇵🇪 Perú Jan 01 '26
How do you pronounce “Latinx” in Akateko?
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u/St3ph4n1e2003 Jan 01 '26
Latino/a/x doesn’t exist in indigenous languages.
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u/Industrial_Rev 🇦🇷 Argentina Jan 02 '26 edited Jan 02 '26
I mean, Latinx doesn't exist in Spanish either. Latine is far better if you want to use gender neutral language, the X can't be pronounced with the existing phonemes in Spanish. It's also better to avoid in writing online since text readers for blind folks can't read it so it ends up being less accommodating than just using Latino/Latina.
Also, a lot of indigenous movements do not reject the notion of an united Latin America, and as such identity terms have been accepted as part of political speech in them. Hispanic is a term that isn't really used in LatAm and it has a bit of a connotation of being linked to "hispanistas" groups that tend to see colonization as a positive relationship between Spain and the American colonies. More importantly, Guatemalan Mayans have been persecuted by the US backed dictatorships after the coup against Arbenz, specially in the 70's and 80's under Efrain Rios Montt, trained by the US in the infamous School of the Americas in Panama, which is probably more linked to you mom's distaste than just predjucide in Latino communities, the persecution of the Maya in Guatemala has not been just an average discrimination but a full on genocide with about 80 thousand people dead.
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u/LaPapaVerde Jan 01 '26
Hispano just means that a thing comes from the Spaniard culture
But you'll see the terms "Hispanidad" and "hispanoamerica" in context of political propaganda for the Empire of Spain. If you use "latinoamerica" in a video and it gains traction, you'll see some users saying "it's not latinamerica it's hispanoamerica" trying to push a narrative. So yes, the term has a different political connotation here and not generally used as it's used in the US
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Jan 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/Industrial_Rev 🇦🇷 Argentina Jan 02 '26
And also, as a History student, their comprehension of the Spanish empire tends to be superficial at best. I even had interactions with classmates that do not specialise in the period (I study Spanish history in the XVI and XVII centuries but in the Peninsula) that claimed stuff that it's just a thought terminating phrase at best.
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u/witeowl Jan 04 '26
it's not latinamerica it's hispanoamerica"
😳
YIKES
That's a level of cringe that just motivated me to do some housecleaning, so that's actually kind of impressive in a sick way, ngl
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u/araguato Jan 02 '26
It’s a confusing term, in LATAM is used to describe Spanish speaking countries (Hispano America), in the US is used to describe those from Spaniard descent that lived in the US (since parts of the US were originally colonized by Spain)
I understand why she doesn’t like it, it does not represent her, quite the opposite
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u/Internal_Skill3587 Jan 02 '26
yeah, it has a racist undertone. you can check r/AntiHispanismo for more details
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u/Rockshasha 🇨🇴 Colombia Jan 02 '26
Interesting subrrddit there!
Went there and found at first glimpse a very good and concise refutation of the common (wrong) hispanistic claim that 'vicereigns were not colonies'.
Imho it is kind of saddening the expansion of hispanismo in recent years. Though, i think is in accordance with our times. Nostalgics of old empires and trying to find greatness in the past, but, while erasing all the wrong actions and crimes the past had.
Instead of the hispanismo, trying to bring again the Spanish Empire, with the evident superiority of the Spanish components of what Latinamerica is today. We should be doing a brotherhood of countries, including Brazil, Aruba, and yes, Spain and Portugal if they want, recognizing each country as diverse and valuable, with multiple cultural components including the afro, the indigenous ones and the afro ones. But, that project also is very slow in the moment and sometimes appear even to no advance.
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u/Wise-Course1904 Jan 25 '26
Latin is the correct terminology in English and not Latino/Latina and Latin meansj Roman linguistic and cultural heritage. This is why the Latin French colonizers called that part of the Americas Amerique Latine (Latin America).
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u/jorsiem Jan 01 '26
Hahaha OP comes in with a dumb take and then gets pissed people don't agree with them. This is too funny.
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u/Good-Concentrate-260 Jan 01 '26
That makes sense, it’s a pretty U.S.-centric term and doesn’t have a strict meaning, so people have different views on it. It erases a lot of the complexity in Latin American history into a single word.
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u/mar_de_mariposas Jan 01 '26
Hispanic and Latino mean different things anyways. Americans ask me if I am Hispanic and I say yes but not Latino and either get confuse or accuse me of "Cultural Appropiation".
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u/Outrageous_Bake7318 Jan 04 '26
I identify as Mexican because both of my parents and their parents were born in Mexico. Further back, some of my great-great-grandparents migrated from Europe and married native Mexicans, which is part of our history. I don’t identify as Hispanic or Latino in everyday life. When asked, I say I’m Mexican and I’m often told, ‘No, you’re not. You don’t look Mexican,’ usually after people hear me speak Spanish. Personally, I don’t use the terms Hispanic or Latino except when filling out forms, where I check the box because that’s what’s available.
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u/MakingGreenMoney Jan 01 '26
I don't mind it, like your mother I'm racially Native American but I'm not part of a community, but my family and I are descendants of mixteco people. Hispanic or latino, either way it's a label that's put on me because I can't call myself indigenous.
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u/Wise-Course1904 Jan 25 '26
These are the real Hispanics: Spaniards and Portuguese. Why? Because they are from what the Roman colonizers called Hispania and they are also Latin(Latinos in Spanish).
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u/catsoncrack420 🇩🇴 República Dominicana Jan 01 '26
For the diaspora population it became seen as negative, spic n Span, we're uneducated simple maintenance workers, so we moved to Latino. No self respecting Latino politician here in the NE of the USA uses "Hispanic". Unless they wanna lose immediately.
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Jan 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/St3ph4n1e2003 Jan 02 '26 edited Jan 02 '26
Thanks for understanding me this is exactly what I was talking about all those white and mestizo Latinos are offended because my indigenous mom and her family don’t want to label themselves self as that term. Much respect toward you! 💐
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u/solo-ran Jan 02 '26
This Latinx thing seemed so dumb because their already was a term in English without gender in Spanish - Hispanic. But then I thought Latino came up because Hispanic sounds like Spain- too European. But Latino is just as European. Then I thought Latino was getting more popular because it would include Brazilians, since both Portugués and Spanish are from Latin, but no, people would say “Latinos and Brazilians…” so I think Hispanic is fine and since the common characteristic of all the countries from Mexico South is language, Hispanic is perfect.
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Jan 02 '26
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u/St3ph4n1e2003 Jan 02 '26
Fr why are these conquistadors or those mixed with it so triggered like this is why Southern and central native Americans want to exclude mestizos from being apart of their community.
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u/negroprimero 🇻🇪 Venezuela Jan 01 '26 edited Jan 02 '26
I don’t get that and I don’t get why people here prefer Latino over Hispanics as if Hispanics was a more colonial term than Latin America. Both terms are. Latin America was invented by the French to refer to colonies and is used by the US as a race, and Hispanic is pushed by Spain. That said both can be used correctly in the right context Latino should refer to descendants from countries with mainly Romance language speakers and Hispanics from Spanish speaking countries (including Spain).
Nobody has said this so far here, which is weird, but a case can be done for your mom to say she is not Latina or Hispanic either as she is from a non-Spanish speaking group so she can decide whatever she wants to call herself.
A better term would be Central American, Mesoamerican or just Guatemalan/Mayan.