Hispanic is derived from Hispanics, a Latin and Greek adjectival word of Celtiberian roots. This word, Hispanic, first appeared in American English in the late 1800s and was also used in the 16th century.
However, “Vulgar Latin” is where the word “Spanish” and the language “Spanish” came from. During the Second Punic War, the Romans first introduced Vulgar Latin to the Iberian Peninsula in 210 BC.
Key Takeaways
- Hispanic refers to people who come from or have ancestry from Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain and Latin America.
- Spanish refers specifically to people from Spain or the Spanish language.
- Hispanic is a broader term that encompasses Spanish people and people from other Spanish-speaking countries.
Hispanic vs Spanish
Hispanics are the people who have any historical link with Spain and other Latin American descendant countries. They can speak Spanish fluently. Spanish are the people who are true citizens of Spain. 400 million people around the world speak this language and it is derived from “Vulgar Latin”.
The term “Hispanic” refers to a group of people not limited to a single geographic place but can be found worldwide.
Hispanics are citizens of countries with historical and cultural ties to the Spanish Empire and the Iberian Peninsula.
Western Sahara, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Hispanic America, on the other hand, are Hispanic-indulgent countries.
The phrase “Spanish” is a noun that refers to someone who has retained their Spanish citizenship.
It also refers to a language spoken throughout South, Central, and Western America, as well as Spain, but not in Brazil. However, it is estimated that 400 million people worldwide speak this language.
The people who are identified by the term “Spanish” are limited to a specific geographical area, which is Spain’s territory.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Hispanic | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Originated in the 16th century. | Originated in 210 BC. |
| Noun | Who can speak Spanish fluently residing in any Hispanic country. | Who retains the citizenship of Spain. |
| Adjective | Anything related to Spain but distributed globally. | Everything related to the territory of Spain only. |
| Restriction on Location | No restriction on Location. | Restricted to limited countries only. |
| Countries concerned | Western Sahara, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Hispanic America. | Hispanic America, Equatorial Guinea and Spain. |
What is Hispanic?
As an adjective, “Hispanic” refers to something or anybody associated with Spain. It does, however, take into account the Spanish-speaking countries that can be found in areas of South and Central America.
As a noun, “Hispanic” refers to someone who can fluently speak Spanish or who is a true Spanish-speaking individual who lives in the United States but is descended from one of the Latin American countries.
The term “Hispanic” refers to a group of people who are not restricted to a single geographical place but can be found all over the world.
Hispanic people are citizens of countries with a historical and cultural connection to colonies that were once part of the Spanish Empire and the Iberian Peninsula.
Western Sahara, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Hispanic America, on the other hand, have Hispanic extravagance.
Hispanic as a term is derived from Hispanics, a Latin and Greek adjectival derivation with Celtiberian roots. This word, Hispanic, first appeared in American English in the late 1800s and before that, in the 16th century.
What is Spanish?
The adjective “Spanish” refers to anything or someone associated with the country of Spain.
It could be anything related to the country, such as the language spoken, the people living there, or the Spanish educational system.
The noun “Spanish” refers to a person who has retained his or her Spanish citizenship.
However, it also refers to a language spoken throughout South and Central America and Spain, but not in Brazil. However, this language is spoken by up to 400 million people around the world.
The people who are identified by the word Spanish are limited to a specific geographical area, which is Spain’s territory.
Parts of Hispanic America, Equatorial Guinea, and Spain are the places where Spanish-speaking people are found. The word “Spanish” and its evolved language are derived from “Vulgar Latin.”
The Romans first introduced Vulgar Latin to the Iberian Peninsula in 210 BC, during the Second Punic War.
Main Differences Between Hispanic and Spanish
- The term “Hispanic” as an adjective refers to anything or anyone related to Spain. However, it also takes into consideration the Spanish-speaking countries, which are present in parts of South America and Central America. On the other hand, the term “Spanish” as an adjective refers to anything or anybody which is related to the country, Spain. It can be anything relative, like the language of the country, the people belonging to it, or the education system of the country of Spain.
- As a noun, the term “Hispanic” refers to a person who can speak the Spanish language fluently or is a genuine Spanish-speaking person dwelling in the United States but is a descendant of one of the Latin American countries. On the other hand, as a noun, the term “Spanish” refers to an individual who retains the citizenship of Spain. However, it also refers to a language spoken in South and Central America and Spain, excluding Brazil. However, this language is also spoken by as many as 400 million individuals globally.
- The people who are recognised by the term Hispanic are not constrained to any specific geographical area. Rather they can be spread across the world. On the other hand, the people who are recognised by the word Spanish is constrained to a specific geographical area only, which is restricted to the territory of Spain.
- Hispanic people are those people who belong to those countries which have a historical and cultural link with those colonies which were previously a part of the Spanish Empire and the Iberian Peninsula. However, the countries having Hispanic indulgence are Western Sahara, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Hispanic America. On the other hand, the regions where the Spanish-speaking people are distributed are the parts of Hispanic America, Equatorial Guinea and Spain.
- Hispanic as a term has been derived from Hispanics, a Latin and Greek word with an adjectival derivation, further having Celtiberian origin. Around the late nineteenth century, this word, Hispanic, evolved in American English and, before that, in the 16th century as well. On the other hand, Spanish as a word and language has evolved originated from “Vulgar Latin”. This Vulgar Latin was initially brought around 210 BC, beginning at the time of the Second Punic War, brought by the Romans to the Peninsula named Iberian.
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15348458.2016.1217161
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=lang_en&id=JZI6AAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA63&dq=Hispanic+spanish&ots=TxyBq4rYjm&sig=oNKLRTc2R1VnOV2Lga4IZ9EfcNM
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
The etymological details are intriguing and contribute to a deeper comprehension of the terms. This article serves as a valuable resource for linguistic and cultural studies.
The author’s elucidation of historical and contemporary usage of Hispanic and Spanish language and identity is comprehensive and enlightening.
The distinction outlined in the comparison table is crucial for avoiding misuse of these terms. This article serves as a useful reference for anyone seeking clarity on this topic.
This article provides a very informative and comprehensive comparison between Hispanic and Spanish and makes clear the distinctions between the two. It’s fascinating to see the etymology of these words and how their usage has evolved over the centuries.
I agree. The historical context provided here adds depth to the understanding of these terms and their significance. It’s a great educational resource.
It’s important to recognize the global implications of the terms ‘Hispanic’ and ‘Spanish’. This article effectively conveys these complexities and nuances.
The comparison table provides a concise overview of the differences between Hispanic and Spanish, offering a systematic analysis of their linguistic and cultural implications.
While the historical background is interesting, it makes sense to understand the contemporary use of these terms. The article could benefit from addressing how these terms are perceived today.
This piece is quite enlightening and provides a refined understanding of the differences between Hispanic and Spanish. The comparison delineates the intricacies of their usage.