does anyone know that because you speak a language is not who you are?

Question

If I'm American and speak English does it mean I'm from London england ,or speak Spanish that I came from Spain. I'm so tired of the Mexicans calling themselves Spanish just because they speak it.history says Spain took over Mexico from Indians and made them speak spanish ,so why would you want to call your selves that witch made you lose you ways.

Answer 1

duhhhh u cant truly judge anybody by how they talk because thats not only bein judgemental but closed minded.... yet u cant but help but make tha assumption... but tha lady above me is right.

Answer 2

If you are American and speak English, it does not mean that you have you have rationally thought about what you are saying. the part about history that you conveniently leave out is that when the Spanish took over Mexico, they also happened to marry and produce offspring with the Indians. Thus, those Mexican persons who are descendants of Spanish are correct to say they have Spanish heritage.
Using all facts in a debate (not just the ones you want) is called critical thinking.

Answer 3

In almost 30 years of research, including many years of working in the Mexican community in Chicago, I can honestly say I have NEVER met a Mexican who claimed to be Spanish. A few don't mind being called "Hispanic"...if they're from the extreme south. But those from the North and West of Mexico insist on being called "Latino." A popular congressman from Chicago, Luis Gutierrez, almost got himself removed from office for addressing Mexicans as Hispanics. That term is even offensive to most Mexicans because it's really a Puerto Rican/Cuban/Dominican term. There's not a Central American community that refers to itself as "Spanish"...and there are strong feelings on the subject.

So I doubt that the Mexican communities in the US would disagree with you in the slightest. They would only take offense that you brought up the idea in the first place, because it isn't the norm, it's the exception.

Answer 4

I guess I don't see it as a big deal. Here where I live (Northern New Mexico) Hispanic people have referred to themselves as Spanish--Spanish food, a Spanish girl, etc.--for generations. I suppose I thought it was a reaction to the white stereotypes of Mexicans. "Spanish" here means that a person is not an immigrant from Mexico but is still of Spanish descent. "Latino" here means a person is from South America.

Other groups are allowed to decide what they should be called (black, African-American, or person of color). Why should it be different for Spanish people?

Answer 5

Most people do. In my time I spoke Spanish (high school), French and Attic Greek (College), Malay, Iban and Hokkien (Peace Corps). I was always who I am, a mix of Scots-Irish, Pennsylvania Dutch, English and Huguenot.

Most Mexicans will tell you they are "Hispanic" or "Spanish Speakers", not "Spanish". Most of them know they - and the rest of Latin Americans except Brazil - have mixed heritage, Spanish and American Indian. Most of the United States citizens of Mexican descent I know will say they are "American" if you meet them in, say, Paris and ask them where they are from.

You either don't speak English very well or you didn't bother to proof-read your question. You have some glaring errors. I don't; neener neener neener.

Answer 6

True. Just because you speak a language it doesn't mean that's who you are. But there is a thing called diversity and a lot of people have descended from different bloodlines. It seems unfair though that you generalize that all Mexicans call themselves Spanish because I have not met one who does. I think we all know our own history or at least our ancestors.

Answer 7

A lot of Mexicans ARE actually Spanish... the Spanish ( from Spain) also integrated with Mexicans so many have Spanish bloodlines

Answer 8

Give me a break. I am hispanic and have never said I was Spanish and neither do my friends and family. I also happen to be Chichan Itza, Mayan Indian, so I am a Mexican Indian. There are also Germans who are migrated to Mexico and have lived there for generations along with French and Spanish. And you spell it which not witch.

Answer 9

close minded thinking causes all sort of damage to people. if you speak spanish you must be from spain, if you are a guy that likes Madonna, you must be gay. If you are a girl with a shaved head you must be lesbian, if you like to read then you are a brainiac, etc. how silly to label people based on a single observation. variety within an individual is a great thing!

Answer 10

I don't know any mexicans who call themselves Spanish. The ones I know prefer the pc name, latinos or latin-american.

Answer 11

It part of the culture now, and of course with the loss of the old way all one has is the recent history to cling to.