It’s a common question among those who are new to or are interested in English to Spanish translation: Can words like “Hispanic” and “Latino” be used interchangeably, or are these two completely different terms? According to a recent poll, the differences may be less prominent than most people think.

If you’ve ever sat down and watched a comedian whose routine pokes fun at racial issues, you’ve likely heard jokes that center on different usages of terms such as “Hispanic” and “Latino.” One of the reasons these often go over so well is because people can relate — it’s a commonly discussed issue in ethnic communities. What typically arises from such a conversation is that there is no such thing as “one” community, whether it be Latino or otherwise.

Heritage and “Hispanic/Latino”

Most of the time when you ask someone what their heritage is, they’re not quick to say that they’re “Hispanic.” In a case such as this, you’re much more likely to hear someone say that they’re Puerto Rican or Salvadoran, for example. People naturally gravitate toward their own true heritage, which is where words like “Latino” and “Hispanic” usually fall apart. These are blanket terms, and their uses are far from specific. It’s an issue that often pops up in the world of translation as well, and the problems that can arise typically have to do with dialect more than anything else.

A Tapestry of Dialects

In certain situations, translating a document from English to Spanish can be easier said than done. It happened when the English version of the Obamacare website was translated into Spanish, and it will no doubt become another media event somewhere down the line.

One of the biggest problems with English to Spanish translation comes down to dialect. With so many people immigrating from different Spanish-speaking countries, it’s next to impossible to find a specific translation that will satisfy each and every dialect in America.

Instead, it’s often best to choose a specific dialect to shoot for before carrying out a translation. It’s an issue that agencies run into constantly, and it’s a good example of how difficult it can be to please everyone with a single website or piece of government material.