But were you born there? 

Did you grow up there? 

Did you leave? 

But do you speak Spanish?

How good is your Spanish?

All of these, and many others, are questions that many of us receive when faced with the question “How do you identify?” or “Where are you from?”

When you look up the definition of “identity,” there are various definitions. The definitions primarily deal with questions of “being”, “feeling”, “belonging”, “similarities”, and “differences”. These questions are ones we seek to answer for ourselves, and are definitely challenged with anytime we meet new people. 

Cambridge Dictionary defines “identity” as: 

• “a person’s name and other facts about who they are”
• “the fact of being, or feeling that you are, a particular type of person, organization, etc.”
• “the reputation, characteristics, etc. of a person or organization that makes the public think about them in a particular way”
• “the fact of being or feeling the same“
• “who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group that make them different from others”

Identity Meets Latino Complexity

Identity can be decided based on sameness as much as on differences. Therefore, it can only be formed in comparison to others. So, comparing ourselves to others when we first meet, as outlined in the introduction, is not inherently bad. It allows us to determine which aspects of our identity align with those of other people. What is problematic is when “who we say we are “, “who we believe we are”, and “who we practice being” are out of alignment. You can believe you are an artist. But are you making art? You can say that you’re an artist. But are you making art? If you never actually make art, there will be a disconnect between how you identify and the confidence that you have when you share your identity.

For the Puerto Rican and Latino identity, it is undeniable that language is entangled in the conversation of culture. Language is such a significant element of how identity and culture are practiced that to choose not to practice it significantly limits your ability to connect deeply with your identity and culture. If you are living in the diaspora, you need to intentionally practice culture, and part of that practice involves language.

2019 Protesting through Plena, (Practicing my Spanish language, cultural practices, and living my identity with my community.)

Language Ability and Identity

The lived experience of the Latino outside of their home country is different for many reasons. Language use is a huge factor that contributes to feelings of inclusion or exclusion in one’s home language and community. 

There have always been mixed feelings on how Spanish language ability relates to your cultural identity. Terms like “no sabo” or “gringo” are often used negatively to identify Latinos who don’t speak and/or make grammatical errors in Spanish. These language abilities are often related to their reality of living in the diaspora outside of a dominant Spanish-speaking society. While, at least in Puerto Rico, there is a trend towards unlinking language and identity (The Unlinking of Language & Puerto Rican Identity), the strength of the connection between culture and language remains. Therefore, Spanish practice is a tool to strengthen the identity you claim, which reinforces your belief in that identity.

I am infinitely proud of the individuals who reframe terms like “No Sabo” to acknowledge their current language abilities without letting shame hold them back from learning more Spanish. Social media has shown a beautiful trend of “No Sabo” youth publicly practicing Spanish. We should all be inspired to follow their lead and practice language fearlessly. To step into the fullness of our identity by practicing Spanish. Regardless of your experience with the language, it is your responsibility to practice it and continue to practice it (in a way that feels accessible to you).

Identity: Presenting, Believing, and Doing

I offer two reminders about language to help us practice aligning our identity from who we say we are to who we show we are.

1. Language ability is not fixed.
   • There are plenty of Latinos whose first language was Spanish, who have now lived outside of their home country for decades and have forgotten some Spanish words or aren’t up to date on new words/phrases. Does that make them less “Puerto Rican, Mexican, etc…”? Absolutely not. However, the less they practice the language, the more they feel disconnected from their home language and culture. Conversely, someone can learn the Spanish language, and that doesn’t allow them to identify as Latino/a/e. If you are a Latino/a/e and you didn’t grow up speaking Spanish, that is ok. Everyone does the best they can. But as adults, we have a responsibility to learn the language of our culture and our community.
2. Language ability doesn’t determine identity, but it does impact connection.
   • So, if language ability doesn’t determine identity, do I have to speak Spanish to feel “Puerto Rican/Latina” enough? I argue, yes. Do I believe you have to speak Spanish “flawlessly, no grammatical errors, no accents, etc”, no, because I don’t believe there is such a thing. There is no such thing as a perfect version of any language or language variety because language is constantly evolving, as a society and as individuals. But with any culture, language is a significant part of participating and connecting with the community. If you do not participate at all, you may “feel” like an identity. Still, you are not practicing key elements of that identity. And that disconnect will impact your confidence in sharing your identity and your connection to members of the same community that you are claiming. 

So, can you identify as Puerto Rican/Latino without speaking any Spanish? 

You can. 

However, I argue that those who do feel they need to qualify their “enough-ness” because they are not practicing the doing. “I’m Puerto Rican, but I don’t speak Spanish”, or “I understand it, but I don’t speak it”. And yet, the more you practice it, not perfect it, the more confident you feel in your identity because you see how complex a Puerto Rican or Latino identity can be.

Conclusion

As someone who has seen language and culture practiced on and off the island, I can tell you it can happen anywhere. In fact, some of the most profound cultural experiences can occur outside of your home country when your community is united by language, culture, and a longing for connection. But you cannot truly feel what you aren’t actually doing.

If identity is who we say we are, who we believe we are, and what we practice doing, we need to practice all elements of the identity. In this case, culture and language are intertwined. By practicing your version of Spanish, if anyone challenges your identity, your Puerto Rican-ness, your Latino-ness, you can feel grounded in the knowing that you are a living embodiment of the complexity of a Latino identity in the diaspora.