What is the right meaning for 'Hispanic'?

Question

I'm not an American so i'm quite confused with the real meaning of Hispanics.Some people suggested that Hispanics are simply a bunch of Spanish-decended people either full-blooded or mix.Some people also think that Hispanics are people who speaks in Spanish as their mother tongue no matter what their racial status are.Some people even believe that Hispanics is like a new type of mix race which is usually considered by many as a mix of Spanish and South American Indian(native).What do you guys think?

Answer 1

This may be a 'gimme' answer, but refer to the link I've provided. It goes into an extensive explanation of what Hispanic means. Just so you know, that word didn't always exist - it came into being in the 70's as a broad term which some folk found insulting because while it grouped many of the countries that people think are 'Spanish' or 'Latino', people from certain countries do not consider themselves 'Hispanic'. Give it a read, it's pretty comprehensive.

Answer 2

Hispanic is a person who descents from Spaniards, in the old times Spain was called Hispania, but some people are using the term for the people from Mexico, South and Central America and for the islands of Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The real name to be call is Hispanic-Americans and Caribbean Latins.

Answer 3

A US citizen of true born Hispanic heritage, from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of Latin America or the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin only.

Answer 4

Hispanic relates to the people or culture typical of Spain. This can be the Spanish-speaking people or their culture. But this is also typical of people that are descendants of Spanish or Latin-American people or their culture.

Answer 5

c) people who speaks in Spanish as their mother tongue no matter what their racial status are