(CNN) -- Hispanics are described as the largest minority group in the United States, as a burgeoning force in the electorate and as an untapped frontier of the business market. Yet these descriptions belie the complexity of the 44 million people to whom they refer. Susana Clar, with daughters Vanessa (left) and Virna (center), says the labels "Hispanic" and "Latino" are limiting. Even the terms used to name them -- Hispanics, Hispanic-Americans, Latinos, Latino-Americans, the Spanish-surnamed -- too tightly package the people categorized by those definitions, some observers say. "We are mixed and we are many things," said Phillip Rodriguez, a documentary filmmaker. Many of his films, such as "Los Angeles Now" and "Brown is the New Green: George Lopez and the American Dream," explore the experience and identity of Latinos in the United States.
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There are more than 44 million people of Hispanic origin in the U.S.
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The community includes diverse national origins, generations, languages
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Some observers say enough similarities exist to project a communal identity
Hispanic
Hispanic
But the broader terms -- Latino, @placeholder -- are the ones tossed about when the media want to discuss a "trend among Latinos," or when a politician appeals to the "Hispanic vote."
Latinos
But the broader terms -- Latino, Hispanic -- are the ones tossed about when the media want to discuss a "trend among @placeholder," or when a politician appeals to the "Hispanic vote."
United States
United States
U.S.
The @placeholder government came up with the term "Hispanic" in the 1970s to generally refer to people who could trace their origin to Spanish-speaking countries.
Susana Clar
"That's the way you call our people," @placeholder, 52, said of the terms.
Latinos
Those areas include interpersonal relationships (@placeholder tend to emphasize family; individuality is not as important), perceptions of time and space (they have longer time horizons and have a relaxed sense of privacy), and spirituality (religion and spirituality have a strong influence on Latino life and perception of the world).
Latino
Those areas include interpersonal relationships (Latinos tend to emphasize family; individuality is not as important), perceptions of time and space (they have longer time horizons and have a relaxed sense of privacy), and spirituality (religion and spirituality have a strong influence on @placeholder life and perception of the world).
Spanish
"We're talking about people that have grown up here in the U.S. in Latino households, most likely with their parents speaking @placeholder at home, eating certain foods at home, certain values and traditions that are instilled in them, from music to religious beliefs to the importance of family, these sorts of things," Chitel said.