Womyn
From Academic Kids
Womyn is a term used by many radical feminists in order to degender the word women. Other spellings meant to perform the same function include "wimmin" (plural), wom!n, and "womban" (see womb). A common singular form, to refer to one person, is womon. A similar usage is "femal" instead of "female". All are pronounced the same as the conventional terms.
Many feminists (and other people concerned with the power of languange) argue that the terms "woman/women" socially subordinate women, as "man" is seen the root for being a human. Women/Womyn who argue in favour of the terms "womon/womyn" contend that they have the right to choose how a term reffering to them is spelt, rather than be subjected to the choice of the past patriarchies. Others further argue that "womyn" is based on a medieval spelling of the word, and that returning to the old model of wyfman and waeman meaning man and woman, respectively, would be more egalitarian. Under this taxonomy "man" would revert to meaning "human".
Some individuals see the adjustments as political correctness run amok. Others feel it to be anti-male gender bias. Feminists in favor of the reform aruge that language is a powerful tool that shapes the way people percieve their surroundings, and even how they understand gender, gender roles. They also feel that the current form of the words do not greatly value women. Therefore, some feminists see these sorts of words as the beginnings of a movement to correct what they consider inherent biases in language.
