The Misunderstanding of Spanish Identity: Why Spaniards Resist Being Called Latino

In the United States and the American media, people of Central American, Caribbean, and South American origin often identify as Latino rather than Hispanic. This trend, however, is not universally accepted, particularly in Spain, where many reject these labels.

Why 'Latino' Is a Misnomer for Spaniards

The term 'latino' often implies a connection to Latin culture and a shared linguistic heritage, which is not entirely accurate for Spaniards. Many Spanish people feel that the term 'Latino' improperly lumps them together with countries that do not share their cultural or linguistic roots.

Spaniards are Not All Iberian

It is important to recognize that not all Spanish people are Iberian in origin. For example, the Basque people, known for their distinct culture and language, are not Iberian at all. A DNA test, particularly those done by misleading online kits, might show them as 100% Iberian, but this is not entirely accurate, as the Basque people have their own unique genetic heritage.

Distinguishing historical facts further, some of the most notable Roman emperors, such as Hadrian (born in Italica, Spain), shared the same Roman Latin culture as others regardless of their exact Iberian heritage. It's crucial to understand that a shared Latin heritage does not necessarily equate to a shared Iberian one.

The Roman Hispania

When the Romans drew the borders for Hispania, they included a diverse population, not all of which were Iberians. The region included various cultural groups, such as Gallaecians (ancestors of modern-day Galicians), who gave rise to the region of Galicia, and Germanic tribes, which influenced names like Guzmán and González, equivalents to Goodman and Gunther, respectively. The pronunciation of 'z' in Spanish is similar to the English 'th' sound in 'think,' further emphasizing the distinct cultural blend in the region.

Spanish Identity Beyond Iberia

Technically, Spaniards are most closely related linguistically to other Latinate languages, such as French, Italian, Romanian, Portuguese, Occitan, Venetian, Catalan, and others. The language of Spain is approximately 80% Latin-based, and its linguistic affinity leads to a sense of unity with other Latin-speaking regions, despite a non-Iberian origin.

Regional Affiliation in Spain

From my limited experience, most Spanish people identify strongly with their regional affiliations, such as Andalusia or Catalonia, rather than with the broader categories of 'Spanish' or 'Iberian.' A person in the street would likely be more inclined to say they are from a specific region rather than simply identifying as Spanish.

The Role of American Media

Only Americans mischaracterize Spaniards by calling them 'Latin.' This practice is rooted in a misconception that anyone who speaks Spanish is automatically 'Latin.' Spaniards view this categorization as ignorant and prefer to be recognized for their unique cultural identity, which goes beyond the simplistic label of 'Latino."