So you have a problem because of other possible interpretations of the word, precisely the problem I have with "hispanic". Hispanic implies of and from Spain. Only a portion of our cultures is of "hispanic", or Spanish origin, thus I consider the word a misnomer when used to describe us, and one with racial overtones as well for it exhaults the European component of our culture over other parts.

The thing is Latino would still do that. Hispanic at least correctly places where part or culture comes from, while Latino is just some vague sense of Latin derived culture.

Either which way, the response is usually "I'm Dominican".

I want to hear your erudite thoughts on" Beaner " cibby

Not to mention that the entity 'Spain' and (and thus things Spanish) are something of an anachronism when applied to 1492 and surrounding centuries. Castille did most of the conquering, it is Castillian language ,and I have seen suggested most of the genetic inheritance would be from there as well. Castillanicos ??

the closet opens the complexes fall out Like Fibber Mgee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9FGC68YcwM

my two cents nobody asked for

I'm partial to Latin-America (and Latino for US residents). It points to a genuine underlying root of all the languages brought to the region. Also to me 'latin' and its derivations point to that mightiest Mediterranean empire. This is significant because the concept of empire is crucial to understanding these nations. Just like that empire, this one had many sub-languages and sub-cultures tied together by a hegemonic tongue. The way they ended up organizing theses paces economically and politically had some resonances of that past as well. Overall I just think Latin points to the world around the Castillians in their past that made them who they were, and affected what they did.

I find those more comfortable with this label (Latin) are also the ones most comfortable with the syncretic and hybridic reality of our history. Conversely some people very consciously use Hispanic in the way cib suggests. In some cases given their personal family history it may even be more accurate, and any who want to claim that heritage are surely entitled, but in my own case I rather point to the larger story that produced me.

But in the end it is just splitting hairs. OF COURSE we need multiple words to describe so many peoples and places. Now let's hear it for the sadly underused IBERO-American

I work with people from spain, even the spanish that we use versus theirs is very different. When I speak dominican spanish my coworker doesn't understand me and when my coworker uses spanish spanish i don't understand everything either.

Yet when I speak to puerto ricans, cubans, columbians, venezulans, central americans and mexicans i understand better.

It may very well be due to familiarity and contact. I've come in contact more with south americans.

Plus Spaniards don't like us much, there are a lot of dominican gangs in Spain recently. Since their economy has collapsed many young dominicans have gone into survival mode, the spanish aren't accustomed to that, lol.

My coworker said that police in spain usually don't use their guns, and usually spaniards don't shoot at cops but dominicans do shoot at the cops and the cops aren't ready to react.

Oh, and I prefer dominican versus latino or hispanic, yet when identifying with other south americans I prefer latino. Hispanic does insinuate the conquest, which we wouldn't be here if not for it but it has too much luggage with it. Latino wipes the slate clean and allows us to also indentify with Brazilians, Guyanese, Haitians etc etc. I am sure that we have more incommon with the afore mentioned cultures than with Spain, just listen to the music and right there is the largest disparity.

English speakers have the same issues and similar grudges like cibby against the Mother country

But I think there is nothing wrong with that, because as former colonies we try to distinguish ourselves from the "overlords."

Of course we have much in common, but we celebrate our differences, that which makes us unique and as a consequence makes us proud of our culture country and people.

But I think there is nothing wrong with that, because as former colonies we try to distinguish ourselves from the "overlords." ..............In your statement is the wisdom of the ages