Common Terminology

Many of the words and phrases that are second nature to alterhumans morph into esoterica to the outside viewer. I have tried to explain the terms you are most likely to have come across.

It would be accurate to say "if you ask ten people what 'otherkin' means, you'll get eleven different answers". With this in mind, my definitions have been left purposely open and don't gravitate towards any particular belief system.

Alterhumanity is by nature a personal journey and something that ties together many different perspectives from many walks of life. It would be impossible, and rather arrogant, to lay out 'easy' answers here. Going forward, I encourage sitting with vagueness and pushing yourself to develop your own beliefs.

What is Alterhumanity?

Alterhumanity, or Alternative Humanity Personal Identity (AHPI), is an umbrella term categorising the range of experiences pertaining to selfhood alternate to what is deemed 'normal' humanity.

This includes phenomena such as otherkin, therianthropy, draconity, fictionkin, phytanthropy, nonhumanity, plurality, daemonism, spiritual self-identifications such as angelics, vampires, godshards and starseeds, shared self-identification with non-human entities such as other-heartedness, furry lifestylers, hearthomes, godspouses, and soulbonds.

Due to the broad nature, it can be difficult to combine such large groups of differing perspectives under a single unifying label. Alterhumanity itself does not take away any distinctive traits from these separate communities. Alterhumanity is opt-in, meaning not every person will (or must) consider themselves aligned with the term or sister communities.

The main focus of this work will be on those who identify on some level as, or with, a nonhuman being or a fictional character. I am not the right person to be a source on what alterhumanity means for plural systems.

What is Otherkin?

Otherkin (meaning "other kind") refers to understanding the self as some extent of non-human. Most will define it as "identifying partially or wholly as non-human on an intrinsic level". In modern discourse, it is often used as an umbrella term covering identification as a supernatural or earthen creature. Sometimes, those who are human fictional characters are recognised as otherkin.

In a more exclusive context, otherkin is distinct from therianthropes and fictionkind. It refers to those who identify as supernatural entities such as elves, fae, and dragons.

The specific being that an otherkin individual is may be referred to as a "kintype".

What is Therianthropy?

Therianthropy (derived from therianthrope, the combination of "therion" and "anthropos", meaning "animal person") is the understanding of the self as a non-human animal. A therianthrope, were, or therian is somebody who identifies as an animalistic creature on an integral level. The species a therianthrope defines themselves as is known as a "theriotype".

A unique aspect of this community is its focus on shifts, an extension of its werewolf-related roots which describes various sensations that bring an individual therianthrope closer to their theriotype's behavioural or sensory reality. Compare this to a non-physical form of the lycanthropic transformation in legend. Mental shifts, for example, involve taking on a bestial mindset, while phantom shifts are supernumerary phantom limbs belonging to a non-human species. For example, the sensation of tails, wings, or fur present on the body.

Although the otherkin and therianthrope communities initially developed separately with little influence, the modern community is more-or-less intertwined in their shared trait of nonhumanity.

What is Fictionkin?

Fictionkin, or fictionkind, are those who identify as a character from a source of fiction. It is part of the wider fictionfolk umbrella which encompasses all fictional aspects of self. The character fictionkin are is known as a "fictotype". This character may be a named character recognised from a particular story, an original character, or a member of a fictional species. Many fictionkin are human characters, but not all.

Metaphysical, or spiritual, fictionkin believe their fictional identity has a supernatural explanation. For example, reincarnation, soul misplacement, and the multiverse theory.

A defining aspect of the fictionkin community is canon — a personal timeline of events within the life of one's fictotype. Many fictionkin will discuss their personal canon and attempt to search for those they once knew.

What the previous three have in common is that they set out the personal experience of living as a legendary creature, nonhuman animal, or fictional character. These identities are not consciously chosen and cannot be dropped or altered with ease. Coming to terms with these typically occurs during adolescence or childhood, although the age of discovering standard terminology to describe oneself varies.

Otherkind, therianthropes, and fictionkind say who they are in earnest and come from a place of longterm reflection on the self. They are not dedicated roleplayers nor just fanatical about their kintype. It is who they are in real life.

What is Transspecies?

Difficult to pin down, transspecies can take on several personal meanings depending on who is using it. It may be distinct from or used interchangeably with another alterhuman identity. Calling onesself transspecies can imply a desire to change physical appearance, a rejection of one's human form, non-humanity being intertwined with (or comparable to) gender, or wanting non-humanity to take centre stage in their life.

Note that the term "transspecies" is much older than the controversial transID labels it is associated with. It does not intend to plagiarise or bring mockery to personal narratives of the transgender experience. In fact, most alterhumans who consider themselves transspecies are transgender, drawing a comparison between both phenomena from a first-hand perspective.

What is Otherheartedness & a Synpath?

Those who are otherhearted, or animal-hearted, resonate strongly or feel a integral connection with a non-human being. This resonation is so significant it becomes a key part of one's personal identity. The species they identify with is known as a "hearttype" or "kithtype".

The term synpath describes something you resonate with on several levels without it being an established kintype. This is similiar to otherhearted and these terms can be used interchangeably. Synpath is often attributed to a close bond with fictional characters.

A typical experience is a deep sense of familiarity with a certain entity. They feel like they should be them and find comfort and satisfation in them.

Otherheartedness does not necessarily mean a specific species or character (and neither does anything listed here). It isn't unheard of for people to have a hearthome, a real or fictional location that is personally significant without you having lived there in this life. Sometimes, this location is directly linked to an established kintype or hearrttype, but this isn't necessary.

What is Copinglinking?

Copinglinking, or more generally otherlinking, is the intentional process of gaining a non-human or fictional identity. The former refers to a consciously created identity for mental health reasons, while the latter refers to any other purpose. Although the identity may be indistinct from a kintype, it is generally separated by its voluntary and transient nature.

A person may choose to 'link to cope with day-to-day life through roleplay or fantasy, gain positive traits from the subject, or be more like a character they admire.

What is a Paratype?

A paratype is a facet of identity that only exists in relation to a preestablished identity. This is a species, character, archetype, or symbol that is significant to your established identity because it reminds you of, or it was important to, your kintype.

This facet could be a similar species, aspect of a dynamic (working dogs and sheep, lions and antelopes, protagonist and antagonist), or a fictional character that shares certain tropes with yourself.

Other Relevant Terms

WIP