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hyden-hybrid · 5 years

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Prescriptivism, Descriptivism, and Otherkin

In my few short years being active in the otherkin community, I’ve heard about a fair number of arguments about terminology, definitions, and the applications thereof. I have my own personal opinions about these things, but first I need to briefly talk a bit about linguistics.

In the field of linguistics, there are two major ways to approach language: prescriptive and descriptive. The prescriptive approach seeks to prescribe the meaning of words, essentially enforcing definitions regardless of the common use of those words. The descriptive approach seeks to describe the meaning of words, relying on the common use of the word to determine the definition. Now, I’m not a linguist by any stretch, but as far as I understand it, professional linguists are almost exclusively descriptivist. That is, they follow the descriptive approach to language.

One of the major arguments I hear about when it comes to terminology and definitions within the otherkin community relates directly to the difference between prescriptivism and descriptivism. Some members of the community insist that the definitions they’re using are correct, since that’s how they and the people around them have defined those terms and commonly use them. Other members of the community insist that those definitions are wrong, because they don’t match the historical usage of those terms. On the surface, this is a clear dispute of descriptivism versus prescriptivism, and if professional linguists are to be trusted, there’s a right side there. That surface reading isn’t complete, though, and we need to dig a bit deeper to understand the truth of the matter.

There’s a concept out there called “linguistic drift”. Essentially, it’s the way that words and definitions change over time. One example that’s easy to understand and applicable to just about everyone (at least, everyone liable to be reading this) is the word “phone”. Go back a few decades, and “phone” referred pretty much exclusively to a corded device which would either be mounted on a wall or set on a table (or similar surface), with either a dial or a set of buttons that let you choose who to contact. Fast forward to today, and “phone” generally refers to a micro-computer that fits in your pocket and has a multitude of functions beyond just contacting people by voice. As phones have changed, language has changed with them, and thus the definition shifts. A perfect example of linguistic drift.

One important thing to note here, though, is that linguistic drift happens naturally. It’s not the result of people deciding to change definitions, but the result of the meaning shifting in small increments over time. In between phones with dials and modern cell phones, there were all sorts of smaller changes. Corded phones that could be carried and connect by radio waves, home phones that don’t have a cord between the handset and the base unit, mobile phones that fit in a purse but not a pocket, mobile phones that fit in your pocket but only worked as phones… Phones evolved, and the definition evolved with it. This concept is very important when looking at arguments about terms in the otherkin community.

While the surface read might say that those saying that definitions can change are descriptivists, an understanding of linguistic drift points to the opposite. Those saying that the new definitions are wrong aren’t saying that because they want to define the language regardless of common use. They’re saying that the new definitions aren’t a natural evolution of the definition, which means that the new definitions are prescribing the definition, rather than letting it change over time. And thus, one can see the people supporting the new definitions as prescriptivists, which reverses the correct side of the argument.

Now, all of this may just serve to muddy the issue further. If both sides can be seen as either prescriptivist or descriptivist based on how you approach it, how can either side be deemed right? This is where we fall back on some simple concepts that help steer us in the right direction. Descriptivism tells us that definitions change, and that the current definition is only as correct as we all agree it is. But at the same time, even descriptivists accept that definitions must be clear and precise for communication to work. If there’s a term with an unclear meaning, then that term becomes largely useless. I could coin the word “splunge” and pepper it into my everyday speech, but without other people knowing what it means, it becomes impossible to communicate clearly about whatever that terms means without defining the term every time.

Let’s tie this back to the otherkin side of things. There is a historical definition of “otherkin” (if we count less than 30 years as “historical”). That definition has had time to grow and evolve, starting from “an experience similar to elfinkind, but related to non-elven things”, eventually becoming “kin with the other” and shifting slightly from there. Because of that historical usage, the term has been clear and precise (generally speaking), meaning that it can be used to communicate the concept easily. With some people aiming to redefine the term, however, the meaning becomes muddled. It requires you to clarify which definition you’re using, which makes the term itself less useful. And I think we can agree that if you have something that works, and someone makes it not work, you don’t try saying that it didn’t actually work in the first place.

Hopefully that makes my position on this clear, but in case I haven’t, I’ll summarize. In the dispute between “we’re using a new definition” and “we should use the old definition”, I agree that we should use the old definition. There is room for that definition to change over time, as it already has, but attempting to significantly change the meaning this suddenly only makes the word less usable, and that’s a bad thing. Stick with what we have, not what you want to make it into.

On a related note, I am fully supportive of the creation of new terms, so long as those terms are clearly and precisely defined, and we can all agree on which terms to use. Things like “copinglink”, “synpath”, and “otherhearted” are useful because they describe things that might otherwise be long-winded. We have to make sure we’re all on the same page about them, though, or we’ll wind up with a word no more helpful than “splunge”.

(Kudos if you recognize what that word actually means, though.)

#otherkin #therianthropy

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hyden-hybrid · 5 years

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Angels walk among us. With crooked halos and shattered wings, they walk among us and try to remember what it felt like to be holy. Stretching out their arms and reminding themselves of what it felt like to soar.

Gods walk among us. Trapped inside too small bodies with nothing but the memories of when they were everything, and dream of the worlds and empires they helped forge. Their hands had once built galaxies, but now seemed so small.

Aliens walk among us. From far away worlds and twinkling stars, they carry on and wonder how they had gotten so far from home. One day they know they’ll traverse this galaxy once again, but until then they must make do with Earth.

Fae walk among us. Who try to remember their people, their customs, their dances, in a world that is convinced that they are children’s tales, and no more. Desperately trying to become themselves again, wondering if it was all simply a prank gone wrong, or something worse.

Forests walk among us. Those who remember their trees, their plants, the animals they kept safe under their canopy. Now they can only hope their small friends stay safe, until they can take care of them all again.

Animals walk among us. Wondering why they were stuck on two legs with none of their fur or feathers, scales or shells. Questioning why their voices suddenly are so wrong, so different from the cries they used to make. Surrounding themselves with whatever they can that reminds them of their home.

Ghosts walk among us. Clothed in flowing white and shadowy blues, wandering through areas that used to be solely theirs. They can no longer phase or float, but they make do. They have to.

Dragons walk among us. On feet without the claws they remember, and with heads held high despite the missing horns and fangs. They clamber forwards, rebuilding their hoard with every step of the way.

Dolls walk among us. Those with faded felt and chipped ceramics alike wondering why they were suddenly flesh. Looking over themselves and realizing their bodies were suddenly softer then they ever were, more sturdy then they ever were.

Galaxies walk among us. Made of star stuff and moonshine, infinitely growing forces trapped in too small bodies. Remembering what it felt like to span light years and wondering who had managed to trap supernovas into flesh and blood.

Monsters walk among us. In every shape and size; they walk; slither; crawl; and remember the days they were feared, and wonder if they really want that back. If they would want it back after finally being treated as a living creature with as much right to exist as anyone else.

Unicorns walk among us. Even with their horns no longer there, there is no doubt magic runs through them. They are blessed creatures, and they know it. Stars and sunlight glisten in their eyes, and every step plants flowers.

Demons walk among us. Still feeling the darkness in their blood, and the calls of others like them. Hell fire and brimstone smells dance on the breeze, luring them away. Luring them back home.

Wolves walk among us. Even without their pack, they are fierce. Every step a calculation, every move planned.The hunt is on, and it looks like you are the prey. Get ready to run.

Dinosaurs walk among us. Long gone though they are, the continue forward. With pasts surrounded by mystery and unknowing. They are a varied folk, from carnivores to herbivores and everything in between. Large and small alike they fight on.

Winged Ones walk among us. Backs aching from wings they don’t have- limbs they haven’t had in a long time. The sky calls to them, begging them to come home, but they cannot reply. Stuck on the ground, staring hopefully up at the sky- one day they might go home, but not yet, not today.

Glitches walk among us. Scratches on the disk of reality, blips in the world. Tilt your head, look at them from a wrong angle- they might just be lens flares, might just be tricks of the imagination. The world warps around a being that is not there, that shouldn’t be there.

Hellhounds walk among us. Hellfire sprouts from their paths, infernos blaze just under their skin. Embers burn their paws, soot stains their fur. Wildness stirs in their hearts, urges them forward. Feral creatures, born from fire and darkness.

Vampires walk among us. Fangs stained red with blood that is not theirs. Pale as untouched snow, with hearts as dark as the night they rule. Voids twist around them, cloaking them in their shadows. Look out for too sharp grins at midnight, watch your steps.

Elements walk among us. Raging winds, blazing flames, crushing earth, and surging waters rush together. Combining to make impossible possibilities, incredible worlds, exploding worlds. Elements that made up entire worlds now spinned into bones.

The Undead walk among us. Shuffling and stuttering, wondering if this makes them undead undead. Flesh now whole and bones unbroken, feeling their heartbeat course through their veins once again, feeling the air filling their lungs once again.

Shadows walk among us. Twisting and shifting, not solid forms but far from intangible. They are everywhere and nowhere all at once, watching on to every act, recording passively that actions of others, while also defending those in need, actively stepping out to protect. They are the night and the stars, and yet also the shifting woods and deadly blades that flash in the shade. They are, and they aren’t.

Robots walk among us. Rusty joints and electricity running through them. Mechanical men, made to work with no need for sustenance. Inorganic beings with artificial intelligence, making themselves better, making themselves evolve. Their jobs are not yet done.

Mountains walk among us. Their strength and fortitude transformed into movable flesh and feeble bones. Eons of near unending life taken away and replaced with a life of hardly a century. Where once they were feared and respected, they are now hardly ever seen.

Winter Sprites walk among us. Ice on their fingers, frost in their hair. Snow falls over their trail, painting the frozen landscape a chilling white. A shiver trails up your spine when they pass, followed by a freezing breeze- winter spirits in their element can freeze the world over, if one could be bothered to do so.

Werefolk walk among us. Bodies no longer shifting as they once did, permanently stuck on their two legs, for better or for worse. From all walks of life, they shifted into anything and everything. They do what they can to remind themselves of what if had felt like to themselves again.

Starseeds walk among us. Those that have lived only a few lives and those that have lived hundreds walking together. Taking the same steps they’ve taken who knows how many times before. Memories trickle back to them, small ones and big ones alike replaying in their minds. Doing their best to remember their mission and goals.

Mermaids walk among us. Although, maybe walk would be the wrong word. Figuring out how to walk on separate limbs that used to be one. Feeling most at home when submerged in water, sometimes forgetting their new bodies need oxygen. Strong arms and new legs propelling them through water, making them relearn a skill that they’d known since birth.

Death Omens walk among us. Afraid if their mere presence curses everyone around them. Keeping to themselves, just in case. Wondering how much of their past life carries on to their new life. Afraid that their mere touch could end lives, wondering if its their fault every time catastrophe hits.

Psychopomps walk among us. Remembering their jobs, remembering their duty. Even when they hated it, they remember what that must do. Both an impartial guide and a guardian protector. It was not their job to judge, simply to provide a safe passage from here to whatever lies beyond. Smiling in the face of death, knowing that they are not here for them.

Betrayers walk among us. With guilt-ridden hearts and regretful eyes. Who reassure themselves that it was the right thing to do, not quite sure if they believe themselves.

Prisoners walk among us. Remembering shackles and chains holding them back, holding them down. Forced in cages and cells, forced to repent. But now- now they are free. They are free to walk and speak and run. Every part of their soul sings. Shackles now rusted off, chains now broken- they have no intentions of ever putting them back on.

Saviors walk among us. With a shine in their eyes and smiles on their lips, reassuring all they come across that one day the sun will shine and all with be right once again.

Rebels walk among us. Causes long ago forgotten, but with fires still raging in their hearts. Challenging anything and everything. Unrest and revolutions follow them wherever they tread. Chaos and freedom, mixed together.

Survivors walk among us. Soldiers with nothing left to fear, who have instincts as their guide and luck on their side. Walking forward unafraid, because they’ve done this all before.

Immortals walk among us. Souls laden with sorrow, heartbreak slipping through their eyes. They know by now not to get close, but do so anyways because its the only thing that makes them feel anymore.

Fighters walk among us. Hands itching for weapons they no longer have, tense with instincts they no longer need. Wondering why their body is so unmarred and unbroken. They had always done their best, but now they no longer knew if that was good enough. If it ever was good enough.

Children walk among us. Lost and afraid, they march forward, with the weights of a thousand impossibilities on their shoulders. These children are forgotten, and they would prefer to stay that way.

Cursed-folk walk among us. With cautious eyes and doubtful tones, who know that the world is against them now more than ever. Everything comes with a price, and they wonder if their price was truly worth it.

Witches walk among us. Hands of their magical tools of choice, ready to pull them out if necessary to defend or attack. Scared because this was the land their ancestors were killed in. Courageous because they continue forwards anyways.

Travelers walk among us. Those who took a wrong turn and found themselves in a world that isn’t theirs, hoping to one day find the way back. Strength rings through them, for they know they cannot- will not -stop until they reach their home.

Chosen Ones walk among us. Remembering what it felt like to be The One, The Savior, The Last Hope of their worlds- and wondering why that responsibility was ever thrust on them in the first place. Wondering why they had been abandoned back in their old world after fighting so hard for the one they had made their home.

Spirits walk among us. Spirits who see others like them in the corner of their eyes. Spirits who meet up in quiet secret places and remember, together, what it felt like to be themselves. Reassuring each other that one day they will all go Home.

Seers walk among us. They watch, wide eyed and humbled, at the creatures who walk around them. Wings and horns and twisted bits, wandering through crowded streets. Their oddities, invisible to most, show bright and clear to the perceptive eyes of those who watch.

#therianthropy #otherkin

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