I have noticed a lot of confusion and abuse when using the terms Latino, Hispanic, Mexican etc... So I tried here to clarify what the terms mean, how they are used and what they should not generally refer to. If you have corrections, comments or additions to make to the list please post them.
HISPANIC- refers to language, culture
Meaning: related to Spanish-speaking countries and their culture
Includes: Spain, Mexico, Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Dominican Republic and other countries and people who are native speakers of the spanish language.
Does NOT include: Brazil, English speaking people of the Cayman Island and Barbados, French-speaking people of the Antilles and Martinique
Confusion: Should NOT be used to refer to race. Hispanics may be white, black, asians, native americans or amerindians or a mix of many races. They may be from Spain, Latin America or the Caribbeans.
LATINO/LATINA- refers to geographic origin
Meaning: related to Latin America
Includes: Mexico, Argentine, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Antilles, Martinique and other countries of Central and South America
Does NOT include: Spain
Confusion: Should NOT be used to refer to race or language. Latinos may be white, black, asians, native americans or amerindians, or a mix of many races. They may speak Spanish, Portugese, English, French, Italian, or Chinese.
LATIN - refers to language, culture
Meaning:There is a dispute as to when or how the word "latin" should be used. There 3 main current usages depending on pronounciation and context:
1. Latin: (with "a" as in "flat") contraction of "latin american".
2. Latin: (with "a" as in "late") refers to language and culture of Ancient Rome or to languages and cultures derived from Ancient Rome such as Italian, French, Spain, Portugal and Romania.
3. Latin: (with "a" as in "late") refers to Roman Catholic rite as opposed to Eastern Orthodox rite.
However even the pronouncation is not a guide since people pronounce the word "latin" differently.
Confusion: Should NOT be used to refer to race. Some believe it should only be used in the second definition.
However many latin americans use the word "latin" to refer to themselves without loss of meaning. All 3 meanings are accepted in most dictionaries and references.
MEXICAN - refers to country
Meaning: refers to nationality and culture of the country of Mexico
Includes: People native of Mexico or with Mexican nationality
Does NOT include: Anyone or anything not related specifically to Mexico such as El Salvador, Brazil, Argentine, Spain, etc...
Confusion: Should NOT be used to refer to race. Should NOT be used to refer to any ethnicity other than strictly Mexican
MEXICAN LANGUAGE - See spanish language
SPANISH- refers to country
Meaning: refers to nationality and culture of the country of Spain
Includes: People native of Spain or with Spanish nationality
Does NOT include: Anyone or anything not related specifically to Spain such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, etc...
Confusion: Should NOT be used to refer to race. Should NOT be used to refer to any ethnicity other than strictly Spanish
SPANISH LANGUAGE - refers to the language of the country of Spain - see Hispanic
SPANISH ANCESTRY - refers to people who have ancestors in Spain. Should NOT be used to refer to anyone whose does not have ancestors from Spain.
MESTIZO - refers to race
Meaning: refers to anyone of mixed race or ancestry.
In Latin America it is usually used for people of mixed European and Amerindian ancestry.
In the Phillippines it is used for people of native and foreign ancestry in general.
Includes: People of mixed ancestry in Mexico and other countries in Latin America
Does NOT include: People who are categorized or trace their origins with only one race.
Post edited at 2:01 pm on July 28, 2009 by jakelong
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lol that's a lot of info right there. 
