No abstract

This study focuses on the relationship between cultural values and personal experiences, and Hispanics=Latinos' most frequently used identity labels. The authors hypothesized that there would be a relationship between participants' identity labels and demographics, and participants' identity label and the 5 independent variable categories: (a) physical appearance, (b) familism= collectivism, (c) ethnic pride, (d) political beliefs, and (e) discrimination. Among the results for the independent variable categories, only the relationship between political beliefs and identity label was significant. Identity label was also found to moderately predict levels of ethnic pride. In terms of demographics, significant relationships were found between identity label and earned income, first language, and language most comfortable in. Significant interaction effects were found between physical appearance and experience of discrimination, and between politicization and ethnic pride.

This article argues that the differences among subgroups of the Mexican diaspora are significant, as expressed through the variety of signifiers used to refer to various groups within this diaspora and affect intercultural communication and relations. The article first demonstrates that people of Mexican descent living within the current national borders of the United States can be considered a Mexican diaspora. It examines the lexicology and history behind five major signifiers—Mexican/ mexicano, Mexican American, Chicano/a, Hispanic, and Latino—used to refer to members of that diaspora and shows how they are the subjects of diasporic and postcolonial discourses. The article concludes with comments on three specific areas in which Mexican diasporic signifiers influence intercultural communication and affect communication research validity and provides suggestions for addressing these issues in future studies.