Well, actually, what I saw was puro Mejicano, which, at least according to the author, questions the use of puro as the blood (DNA) that made the Mexican hero puro. Like pure breed. The other thing is that Mexico, as a country, had only existed for about 20 years at that time. It was normally referred to as New Spain.
Jokes at their expense and accusations of cowardice made the Anglo lawman no match for the brave ”puros mexicanos” who went up against them. This, in turn, eased fears of Anglo law enforcement.
On the subject of puros mexicanos, this is another interesting aspect of Mexican American folklore. National and local allegiance were malleable, but Mexican-American heroes tended to claim their Mexican heritage over their American citizenship. In doing so, they usually called themselves ”puros mexicanos.” “Pura,” or pure, is an interesting word choice, given the mixed nature of Mexican identity, and the usual application of the word “pure” to mean a bloodline of one type or origin.
It was something I had not thought about, but I doubt that anyone was DNA tested in the 1800s, but they would have known that they had Spanish and Indigenous blood running through their veins. Many of those who lived on the frontier may also have known they had Jewish ancestry.
The name “México” itself is a prime example of this evolution. Originally, the name was written with an ‘x’ to reflect the Nahuatl pronunciation of Mēxihco. As the pronunciation of the ‘x’ sound changed in Spanish, some began writing it as “Méjico.” This spelling then extended to other related words, such as mejicano. However, the Real Academia Española (RAE), the official institution responsible for regulating the Spanish language, has consistently recommended the spelling with ‘x’ for “México” and its derivatives, including mexicano..
While the spelling “Mejicano” reflects the pronunciation of the ‘x’ as a ‘j’ sound, sticking to the original “Mexicano” honors the etymological roots of the word. Consider that the ‘x’ in mexicano does not sound like the English ‘x’ (as in “xylophone”). It’s important to understand that Spanish orthography often prioritizes historical spelling and etymology over a purely phonetic representation.
Regional Preferences and Usage
While Mexicano is generally considered the standard spelling, the use of Mejicano persists, particularly in some regions and among older generations. You might encounter it in older texts or hear it used colloquially. However, for formal writing and general communication, Mexicano is the universally recognized and preferred form.
Beyond Spelling: Cultural Significance
The spelling question “Is it Mexicano or mejicano?” is more than just a linguistic debate; it touches on issues of cultural identity and linguistic purism. Some argue that retaining the ‘x’ honors the indigenous origins of the name and its connection to the Nahuatl language. Others see the ‘j’ spelling as a perfectly valid adaptation to the evolution of Spanish pronunciation. The important thing is to be aware of the nuances and use the spelling that is most appropriate for the context.