Since when did the Latin language become a race?

How can people who don't speak Latin claim to have the Roman Empire's language (Latin) in their blood?
If it's about the Spanish race, then why not just say European or Spaniard?

Since when did the Latin language become a race?

How can people who don't speak Latin claim to have the Roman Empire's language (Latin) in their blood?
If it's about the Spanish race, then why not just say European or Spaniard?

Byzantine Empire was said to be the legacy of the Roman Empire but why the people did not continue to speak Latin but instead spoke Greek? Was it because they moved to the modern Turkey, which is near to Greece.