How do you define one to be a Latino? Birthcountry, color of skin? Ethnicity?

Question

I was born in the Philippines of Castillan ancestry. Does that make me a Latino? When one mentions "Latin Lovers". I thought that pertained to Italians.

Answer 1

Latino has nothing to do with Italy. Latino referrs to a geophraical area of Central America. That being said, each country has it's own way of defining what is and what isn't Latino. You call the wrong person a Latino, and they consider it offensive.

Answer 2

I think Latino pertains to person with Latin American ancestry.
Color of skin has nothing to do with it.

Technically, Latin America is "The countries of the Western Hemisphere south of the United States, especially those speaking Spanish, Portuguese, or French."

Answer 3

This is a good question and one that seems to depend on where you are from. For instance, some people (spanish speakers) call themselves Latinos because their language is based on Latin or they came from Latin America. My husband considers himself to be a Latino because of the language he speaks, Spanish. Although I must point out that he was born in Bolivia, South America.

I on the other hand, being American, disagree with his terminology. I do agree that it depends some on birth country but I disagree with his application of it. For me it would depend on his heritage and he would therefore be Hispanic...as his grandfather had originated from Spain. His bloodline is European and not of a mixed culture/race. Other countries that speak Spanish but have assimilated with another group of people would be considered Latinos. For instance, many islands of the carribbean have "mixed" people living there and speak Spanish and would thus be called Latinos.

At one time it was generally thought by Americans that Hispanics sounded "better" than Latinos as they were "Europeans" and not of a mixed race or nationality. And sometimes I catch myself thinking that when someone refers to my husband, including himself, as Latino, I seem to think for some strange reason Hispanic sounds better. But remember I am not considered to belong to either group.

In fact, I was not aware that this was in such big debate in the United States now due to the immigration issues. I found two links that might be of interest to you. Check them out below.

p.s. Oh and for what it is worth your heritage would make my husband say Latino and myself say Hispanic. Also "Latin Lovers" generally refers to Latinos....but I suppose Italian is also based on Latin. Great question!!

Answer 4

you cant define a latino by skin color. we come in so many shades of white, brown, and black. a latino is defined by ethnicity and birthcountry. (which are usually the same. if not, then it is by ethnicity). I do consider phillipinos as "latin". and the term "latin lover" can mean french, spanish, italian, portugese, romanian, or south american. "latino/latin" means a culture whose language was derived from latin, ie. the romance languages.

Answer 5

You have the ancestry so you can be called Latino if you want,however it usually refers to Latin Americans.Latin lover can refer to any of Latin ancestry/ethnicity. Peace.

Answer 6

I'm Puerto Rican and i've always been told our language is a huge part of it not skin color also your birth country. but because of hollywood we are all considered Latinos. Spanish persons are European, when i lived in FL a few Spanish persons corrected me for INSULTING them by calling them Latinos, yea they were offended...just because you speak Spanish does not make you a Latino. all of our Spanish - Caribbean, central, south American, and Spain- is very different, i can't understand Mexican Spanish, but have no problem with, Cuban, Dominican, Colombian, or Venezuelan Spanish. but really i don't know, i don't think it matters to any one but Latinos.

Answer 7

People referred to as Latino's are often from or are descended or have heritage from someone who comes from Latin America.

Answer 8

Latinos are Hispanics,(puerto ricans, cubans, dominicans) and also latinos are brazilians, im not sure if Italy is in that category.... people from spain are latinos even thou spain is in europe . that is why i laugh when i hear people saying i dont like hispanics i like latinos , is the SAME THING ........basically

Answer 9

I'm thai (Lanna area) with darker epidermis tone! I'm a community Thai Descent yet I certainly have a Thai chum named "Prim (Karnsiri)" who's amazingly honest skinned for a Thai. i think of cuz shes a chinese language-Thai Descent from Bangkok. i think Thailand even have those with honest skinned like the Philippines even tho it's region is in a warm tropical climate.

Answer 10

You have to have Hispanic ethnicity,or Spanish heritage