So I don't really like "human" and similar words except when specifically referring to the species. Phrases like "human rights" and "humanity" whatever. I call what most of these things refer to "person". And I believe there is at least the possibility of non-human persons (e.g. Spock, Chewbacca, GLaDOS, let alone grey areas like Dolphins maybe etc.).
But linguistically, it doesn't quite work because "human" can be an adjective or a noun, whereas "person" is just a noun and there's no good adjective?
And, like, "humanize" is a butt. You don't exactly "humanize" Chewbacca if you give him more agency and opinions and show insight into his character or whatever. He's a freakin' Wookie. So you... person...ify? Him??? That's already a different word. You personize him? Yuck. Yuck yuck yuck.
@balrogboogie Hmmm. I like this line of thinking, at the least. Will have to meditate on it.
@balrogboogie @benhamill Actualize could work too, as in self-actualization.
@erinbee @balrogboogie Ooooooooooooo. I like this, too.
@benhamill this reminds me of "Learning the Grammar of Animacy" by Robin Wall Kimmerer, so I'd use some version of "animate"
@beezyal Maybe I'll look that up. Thanks.
@benhamill I understand what you mean. "Humanize" is a very egotistical term.
That said, linguistically speaking, it refers to giving human attributes to other species.
Wookies are a sentient species in & of themselves. Portraying them as that isn't "humanizing" them.
On the other hand, my avatar *is* an example of humanizing. It adds physical human attributes to a fox.
@KitsuneAlicia Yeah. Anthropomorphization is an interesting related concept. I feel like your avatar is both humanized (as you point out) and anthropomorphized.
@benhamill hmm, how about "you realize him"? Might be a bit of an archaic use, or at least not as common in the US, but "realize == to make real" might be a more palatable use