Difference Between “Hispanic” and “Latinx”

The Difference Between “Hispanic” and “Latinx”

What term should be used: Hispanic, Chicana, Latino, or Latinx? No matter which term is used, people often disagree. It’s an emotionally charged topic and there are important usage variations depending on the region, generation, political inclination, etc. Before using a specific term, inform yourself, and know why you are using it. In addition to these terms, many people prefer to identify themselves by their country of origin or heritage. When in doubt about how to refer to someone, the best approach is to ask them how they identify themselves. Following are definitions of the various terms, which are intended to help provide some clarity; however, it is best to keep in mind and recognize the complexity of their usage.

Hispanic and Latino are often used interchangeably though they actually mean two different things. Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations, while Latino refers to people who are from or descended from people from Latin America.

Hispanic- The term Hispano/Hispana (Hispanic) wasn’t invented in the United States; it’s a Spanish word that means “belonging or relating to Hispania, Spain,” and “belonging or relating to Hispanoamérica (countries in the Americas where Spanish is spoken).” Hispanic came into use officially in the United States in the early 1970s during the Richard Nixon presidency. The U.S. government decided to adopt Hispanic to have a universal term that could serve to include all Spanish-speaking groups in the United States. Typically, a person born in or who descends from Spain is referred to as Spanish or a Spaniard.

Latino/a or Latinx- The term Latino/Latina includes people from Brazil and excludes those who were born in or descended from Spain. Not all Brazilians identify themselves as Latino/Latina, but many do. Thus, “Hispanic” refers more to language, while Latino/Latina refers more to culture. The “x” replaces the male and female endings “o” and “a” that are part of Spanish grammar conventions. This term comes from American-born Latinos/Latinas who want to be more inclusive and gender neutral, which is more akin to the English language.

In today’s United States, these terms are often thought of as racial categories and are often used to describe race, in the way that we also use “white”, “black”, and “Asian”. However, the populations they describe are actually composed of various racial groups, so using them as racial categories is inaccurate. They work more accurately as descriptors of ethnicity, but even that is a stretch given the diversity of the people they represent.

That said, they are important as identities for many people and communities, and by researchers of many disciplines to study social, economic, and political trends, as well as social problems. For these reasons, it’s important to understand what they mean literally and how those ways sometimes differ from how people use them socially.

Bellevue Nissan values and cares about the Hispanic/Latinx population we serve. We are excited to learn more about culture, tradition, and Hispanic Heritage Month. We also want you to join the conversation. Check out our website and social media accounts for more information on how we are celebrating this month!