Latin cultures

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Latin peoples and cultures are related, in some way, to the language or culture of the ancient Latin-speaking population of Italy. More exact definitions present difficulties, and as a result no definitive list of Latin cultures can be produced.

The original Latins were the population of Latium (in modern Italian: Lazio) whose culture and language was the result of a fusion of Greek colonists with the earlier Celtic population of Italy. They were ultimately dominated by the city of Rome, whose expansion and empire assimilated the population of Italy and spanned over most Europe and the whole Mediterraneum coasts.

Various characteristics may be seen as definitive of Latin culture, although in practice all present problems as defining features:

  • Speaking Romance languages which have evolved from Latin (e.g. Italian, French, Spanish,) may be seen as definitive of Latin identity
  • Descent from the Latin-speaking population of the Roman Empire may be seen as giving Latin identity. This covers the romance language speakers of Europe. Most countries of Latin America also have considerable descent from this population, through historic Spanish and Portuguese settlement.
  • Roman Catholicism is sometimes seen as a fundamental part of Latin identity, particularly in Italy, Spain, and Argentina, although Roman Catholicism alone is inadequate to classify a culture as Latin on account of the wide geographical and cultural spread of Catholicism. In addition some Latin countries include strong anti-clerical sub-cultures.

Despite the problems in defining a Latin culture, the concept of a Latin identity remains strong in many countries and is important to many people.

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[edit] Language as a basis for latin identity

Latin countries may most easily be defined by language. However, this is problematic. Defining by language includes countries such as Bolivia the majority of whose population is indigenous, not of Latin descent, and many of whom favour indigenous languages. It also includes countries such as Romania, where the language is Latin-based and the popualtion of Latin descent, but the descent is so distant as to be less relevant than the slavic culture of surrounding countries. Furthermore many Africans speak French, which is a Latin language, but would not be considered Latin. The same problem applies to various other peoples, such as the Portuguese-speaking Africans of Angola and Mozambique, and the Portuguese-speaking Asians of East Timor.

On the other hand language is seen by some as the main factor linking Latin Europe to Latin America.

The wide use of Spanish does lead to a considerable cultural cross-over, with Spanish cultural output (literature, films, television, etc.) being accessible to inhabitants of Latin American countries and the cultural output of Latin American countries being accessible both throughout Latin America and in Spain.

[edit] Descent as a basis for Latin identity

Descent from the Latin-speaking population of the Roman Empire may be seen as giving Latin identity. Combining factors of language and descent as a basis for Latin identity help to iron out problems caused by the ethnic diversity of romance-speakers, particularly French- and Portuguese- speakers.

Most countries of Latin America also have considerable descendants from romance language speakers, primarily through Spanish and Portuguese colonisation. In almost all Latin America countries, persons of European or mixed European/indigenous descent are the majority. Uruguay and Argentina have the highest proportion of descendents: 85% of the population are descendent from Italian and Spanish immigrants from the 19th and early 20th century and the rest is composed partially by other Latin ethnicities like French, Portuguese and Swiss. Bolivia and Guatemala are exceptions.

However, for some people in Latin America, the Spanish heritage is much resented and "Latin" is therefore not seen as an appropriate label (which leads to the questioning of the name "Latin America"). Problems are further illustrated by the Maya, who might be considered "Latin" in that they are Mexicans. However Maya settlements in southern Mexico could be said to be more indigenous than Spanish, and to be culturally closer to Maya settlements in Belize, which have no link to Spanish culture.

[edit] Latin music in Europe

The concept of Latin descent is additionally problematic in that it indicates descent from Latin-speakers of the Roman Empire who were assimilated into the Empire's mainstream culture but may have had an entirely distinct ethnic origin from the Celtic/Greek origin of the first Latins, or may have since assimilated entirely different populations. This is particularly the case with the Romanians.

However, it is not clear whether this is of any importance, so long as one can trace back to an assimilation into the Roman Empire's mainstream culture. Assimilation into mainstream culture of the Roman Empire is itself hard to define, and would probably be best defined by the adoption of the Latin language, leading back to the suggestion that romance languages are defining characteristics of Latin identity.

[edit] Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholic religion is sometimes seen as a fundamental part of Latin identity, particularly in Italy, Spain, and Argentina, although Roman Catholicism alone is inadequate to classify a culture as Latin on account of the wide geographical and cultural spread of Catholicism.

Roman Catholicism is, with language, a major factor linking Latin Europe with Latin America.

Most countries which might be defined as Latin have overwhelmingly Roman Catholic populations. However, Romanians are of Eastern Orthodox religion, while many French-, Italian- and Romansh- speaking Swiss are Protestant.

In addition, some Latin countries include both strong Catholicism and a strong anti-clerical sub-culture. A good example is Italy, whose strongly Catholic regions (especially the north-eastern "white belt") contrast with the anti-clerical "red belt". (This "red belt" includes economically important regions such as Emilia-Romagna).

[edit] Examples

Selected examples help to understand the concept of a Latin culture, and can also help understand the subtleties and difficulties involved.

[edit] Latin cultures (strong undisputed self-identification as Latin)

Europe:

Americas:

[edit] Latin cultures (possible)

Many cultures might be identified as Latin, by both the country's population and outsiders, but the Latin identity of the culture could also be questioned by both the country's population and outsiders.

Europe:

In general, these countries in Europe will have weak feelings about latin identity which reflect a feeling of irrelevance of being identified as a latin country or not.

Americas:

In general, these countries in the Americas will have a political split between those who are happy with being identified as latin and those who are unhappy with it. Most inhabitants may self-identify as latin, but other inhabitants may strongly object. In general, those primarily of Spanish, Portuguese or other European descent are more likely to be happy with being identified as latin, while those primarily of indigenous descent are less likely to self-identify as latin, or to qualify their identity as latin. (NB: Most inhabitants of the Americas have both European and indigenous ancestry.)

Asia:

With the over 300 year Spanish colonization of Filipinas (the Philippines) came a heavy influence on all aspects of Filipino culture. Although only a portion of the population actually speak the Spanish language most of the Philippine languages (which are genetically linked to Malay and Indonesian) have significant admixtures of Spanish terms and expressions. It's estimated the official national language: Tagalog, has about 4, 000 terms that are of Spanish origin. Cebuano (aka Visayan), another Philippine language is estimated to have about 5,000 terms. There are also Spanish-based creoles still spoken by significant Visayan and Tagalog populations collectively called "Chabacano". Traditional music, traditional dress, folk dances, Zarzuelas (Filipino/Spanish operas) are very heavily influenced by Spain and Mexico. 80% of Philippine cuisine is said to be Spanish-based. The most profound and lasting effect of Spain in the Philippines is the 83% Roman Catholic population. Which makes it one of only two Roman Catholic countries in the Far East (the other one being East Timor) and also the third largest Roman Catholic country in the world behind Brazil and Mexico.
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