⨺⃝ Alterhuman Glossary ⨺⃝
Alterhuman - An umbrella term for any identity that falls outside the range of what society deems a normal human identity. This term includes otherkin, fictionkin, therianthropes, copinglinks, otherlinks, systems, otherhearted/kith, synpaths, constelics, and really any identify not typically thought of as 'human'. Also called 'Alterbeing' as a less anthropocentric term, mostly for use by those who identify as nonhuman. You do not have to identify as nonhuman to identify as alterhuman.
Anthropocentric/Anthrocentric - Centering humans/placing the attention or priority on humans.
Archetrope - An identity based on a trope, archetype or common character model. Most commonly referred to as identifying as a particular trope/archetype/model (ie. Identifying as the Fallen Angel trope rather than as an actual fallen angel). These identities are largely based in the life events and behaviors of the archetroper, who may adopt the archetrope label as a way to explain and accept their experiences. I, for example, am a Selkie Archetrope because my life experience very much lines up with the common tropes seen in many Selkie stories.
Cladoholothere - A combination of the terms Cladotherian and Holothere
Cladotherian - A Therian who's animal identity encompasses part of all of an entire clade of Animals. Also sometimes extends to families of animal rather than just clades. I am a bittern cladotherian, and I specifically identify as all birds in the subfamily Boutarinae, which is the subfamily that all bitterns are part of.
Constelic - One who collects multiple different alterhuman identities. This may or may not be by choice, and the prominence of each identity may or may not grow stronger, fade, or be dropped overtime. These identities (constels/stels) may be hoarded and may have prioritiy over eachother.
Copinglink - Someone who takes on an alterhuman identity as a coping mechanism. This identity is called a Linktype and may go away after a time.
Fictionkin - Someone who identifies as a species or character from a piece of fictional media. This may be a fictional animal, sapient creature, or even wholly identifying as a fictional character. Some who identify as fictional animals may choose to use the term fictotherian instead.
Otherhearted (Otherkith) - Someone who identifies strongly with but not as an animal, and may view the animal in question more like friends and extended relatives rather than themselves. Not to be confused with Otherpaw.
Otherkin - An umbrella term for anyone who identifies as a non-human entity (including fictional humans). While originally meant to only cover fictional or mythological species, the term has expanded to include the therian community.
Otherlink - Someone who takes on an alterhuman identity of their own free will for reasons unassociated with trauma or coping mechanisms. Linktypes are always voluntary and may be dropped at will.
Otherpaw - Someone who engages in animalistic behaviors for the purposes of roleplay or fun, and may feel connected to the therian community, but has no non-human identity. Otherpaw specifically refers to those who do not connect or identify with/as an altertype and instead participate in activities such as quadrobics and/or making gear activities as a hobby. This term is somewhat controversial among some alterhumans, but I personally view it as a welcome addition.
Otherlink - An entity you have a strong connection to, but do not identify as. A similar term to Otherhearted, but specifically only refers to the entity you connect to. ie. "I have a White Stag Synpath", Not "I am a White Stag Synpath".
System - Also called 'Plural Systems'. A term that refers to multiple beings/people/consciousnesses within one body. Systems come in many forms and structures, and are not required to form from a traumatic dissociative disorder.