Hispanic and Spanish are two words that are often confused with each other. Though they have some similarities, there are also key differences between the two. This blog post will explore those differences in more detail. By understanding the difference between Hispanic and Spanish, you can better communicate with people from different cultures and backgrounds. So, let’s get started!
What is Hispanic?
Hispanic is an ethnicity, not a race. Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish, or have ancestors from Spanish-speaking countries. Hispanic countries are located in Central and South America, as well as in the Caribbean. Hispanic people can be of any race, including White, Black, Native American, Asian, or mixed race.
- In the United States, Hispanic is the largest minority group. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2017 there were about 58 million Hispanic people in the United States representing about 18% of the population.
- The Hispanic population is expected to continue to grow in the United States and is projected to reach about 119 million by 2060.Hispanic culture is rich and diverse with roots in Spanish culture, Native American cultures, and African culture.
- Hispanic people have made significant contributions to the United States in many areas including politics, science, arts, and sports. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in September in the United States to recognize the contributions of Hispanic people to American culture.
What is Spanish?
Spanish is the official language of Spain and 21 Latin American countries. It is also an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, and many other international organizations. Spanish is spoken by about 470 million people worldwide. It is the second most widely spoken language after Mandarin Chinese. Spanish is a Romance language that developed from Latin. The Spanish alphabet includes 27 letters. Spanish has four main dialects: Castilian, Andalusian, Canarian, and Latin American Spanish. The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) is the standardizing institution of the Spanish language. Its website provides a dictionary of Spanish words and phrases.
Difference between Hispanic and Spanish
Hispanic and Spanish are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two terms. Hispanic refers to someone who comes from a Spanish-speaking country, while Spanish refers to the language spoken in those countries. In other words, all Hispanics are Spaniards, but not all Spaniards are Hispanic. The term Hispanic is used more commonly in the United States, while Spanish is used more commonly in Europe. Hispanic is also sometimes used to refer to people of mixed Spanish and Indian descent, while Spanish generally refers only to people of pure Spanish descent.
Conclusion
Hispanic and Spanish are not interchangeable terms. Hispanic refers to the ethnicity of a person, while Spanish is the language spoken by that person. There are many countries in Latin America where people identify as Hispanic, but speak different languages. In order to market to Hispanics effectively, it’s important to understand which country they come from and what language they speak.