Why aren't Italians mentioned when people talk about Latin people?

Whenever I hear about Latin people, it's pretty much always referring to Hispanic people from Spain, Portual, and countries from Central and South America, excluding countries like Jamaica and Haiti. I never hear Italians being referred to as Latin. If it wasn't for Italians, there'd be no Spanish and Portuguese as we know the languages. I just wonder why it's like that. And no I'm not trying to offend people or be racist and whatnot.

 

Because the term Latin has become skewed into meaning "Spanish-related" instead of, you know.....Latin.

EDIT: As an Italian.....well, half Italian, 1/4 German and 1/4 Irish....the misuse of the term Latin annoys me.

 

Actually, I think that when people are referred to as "Latin," it's the short form of Latin American.

 

Italians also invented the telephone and every other modern day technology.

 

The Portuguese aren't Hispanic.

And the Italians invented the radio, not the telephone.

 

What are youze people talkin about? Do I have to send Paulie over 'dare to take care o dis?

 

::Cracks his knuckles:: I's dun wan' to hasta send Stooch and Big Tony to give a thumpin' to dat dictionary.

 

We had to explain that whole thing to my Mom when we went to Italy. She didn't want to stay in the latin quarter because she thought it was going to be full of Mexicans.

 

HAHA, your mom is stupid and rascist.

Or at least you make her out to be in the above post.

 

Well that was done only for humor purposes.

Don't be talkin' 'bout my momma.

 

Hey Johnny Tightlips what do you want me to tell the Doctor?????

Go tell him to suck a lemon.

 

weezer's mom is the bees knees

 

I love these enlightened debates. [Gets out popcorn and soda. Gets comfortable, and watches from safe distance.]

 

I never hear Italians being referred to as Latin.

Same reason why the French, Romanians and Moldavians are never referred to as Latin even though like Spanish and Italian they are Latin languages.

The Portuguese aren't Hispanic.

Although true, Portugal was a part of Hispania, where the word Hispanic derived from.

To sum it up, I guess it's mostly ignorance

 

Same reason why the French, Romanians and Moldavians are never referred to as Latin even though like Spanish and Italian they are Latin languages.

thank you for the first intelligent response of the thread.

 

There aren't too many countries in North America that aren't either English or Spanish in heritage are there?

So, Latin American means Spanish people. I think its easier to say "Latin" than "Latin American."

 

because Italians are not latins. I'm Italian.

 

That depends on the country I guess. Over here (Portugal) we consider ourselves, Spanish, Italians and some south american countries' people as being Latin.

It's kinda weird to make this sort of distinction there being as many mixes between races as there are... for example I don't fit the profile for a latin person at all though I live in a latin country. I'm too pale and have light-coloured eyes... not the typical image for latin people. All these differences possibly come from the mix that was brought on by invasion after invasion of my country throughout history.

 

Aren't Mexicans technically of the same race as white people? Caucasoids I believe.

 

^no

caucasions and Hispanics are diffrent races

 

So, Latin American means Spanish people.

Huh?

 

No... Latin American means Latin American.

 

[Gets out popcorn and soda. Gets comfortable, and watches from safe distance.] Hmm. Well, because some parts of the dialect were taking from the mother language. The mother language came from Italy. I might wrong.

 

is Latin america, kinda like central america? cause when i read about aztecs and incas and stuff, sometimes its referred to as Latin America.

Another reason that area maybe referred to as Latin America was because the spanish invaded.

 

^no

caucasions and Hispanics are diffrent races

k. i beleive u.

kthxbye.