Need Major differences and commonalities apparent between Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans

Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. The first site will give you information about the different areas of the U.S. where they tend to live:

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761585657/Hispanic_Americans.html

The second site is part of a textbook online:

http://www.safarix.com/0205381979/ch09

This site has similarities and differences:

http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_schaefer_racialgroup_9/0,7588,659689-,00.html

As for the Spanish spoken by the two groups, the Mexicans have a "cantadito" which is very pleasant to hear (sing-song) and the Puerto Ricans, like the Cubans, tend to drop the "s" sound in words. The vocabulary is also different, much like regional differences in the U.S.

To understand the major differences and commonalities between Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans, it is important to research and explore various sources that provide information about their cultural, social, and historical backgrounds. Here are some steps you can take to gather information:

1. Start by visiting websites like encyclopedias or online databases that provide information on Hispanic Americans or Latino communities. The MSN Encarta encyclopedia (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761585657/Hispanic_Americans.html) mentioned in your question is a good starting point.

2. Look for resources, such as textbooks or academic articles, that discuss the topic more extensively. The textbook website SafariX (http://www.safarix.com/0205381979/ch09) you mentioned might have relevant information.

3. Additionally, explore websites or articles that focus specifically on the similarities and differences between Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans. The website provided in your question (http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_schaefer_racialgroup_9/0,7588,659689-,00.html) might offer insights into their cultural distinctions and shared experiences.

4. While researching, pay attention to aspects such as geographic distribution, language, cultural traditions, customs, and history. These factors can reveal significant differences and commonalities between the two groups.

For example, in terms of location, Mexican Americans are more concentrated in the southwestern states of the U.S., whereas Puerto Ricans tend to reside in the northeastern states, particularly New York and New Jersey. Language-wise, regional accents and vocabulary variations exist within Spanish-speaking communities, including Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. Mexicans are known for their "cantadito" manner of speaking, which has a pleasant sing-song quality, while Puerto Ricans, similar to Cubans, tend to drop the "s" sound in words.

It is important to note that the information provided above is just a starting point. To fully grasp the major differences and commonalities between Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans, a more in-depth exploration of their respective histories, cultural practices, and social dynamics is needed.