Hispanophone

Hispanophone is a term used in linguistics and demographics to refer to a person who speaks Spanish as their native or primary language, or to communities where Spanish is the dominant language of communication. The term contrasts with Hispanic, which relates to Spanish-speaking origin or culture, and with Latino, which is often used to denote geographic or heritage connections to Latin America. In practice, a Hispanophone may be a native Spanish speaker (L1) or a fluent second-language user whose daily life centers on Spanish.

Globally, Hispanophones are concentrated in Spain and across Latin America, with large populations in the United States due to migration and diaspora. Spanish is an official or predominant language in many countries, and Hispanophone communities exist in Europe, Africa (notably Equatorial Guinea), and other regions with Spanish-language media, education, and institutions.

The term is primarily used in linguistic, sociolinguistic, and policy contexts to describe language groups, language rights, and media audiences. It is distinct from "Hispanic" as a cultural or ethnic designation. While related, "Hispanophone" foregrounds language rather than ancestry, origin, or self-identification.