Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Gender Language Differences

I am in a situation where I need to begin my real life test very soon. Maybe too soon, but my situation is such that I pretty much have to go for it now. I pass physically fairly well, though I have a ways still to go. I really am nervous about being accepted, and about passing. How can I make sure that I am accepted as a woman a well as possible? I really need a kind of crash course on this, and any help would be appreciated.
Since your physical appearance is at least in the ballpark, that is one important piece to the puzzle of being accepted as a woman. There are two other details that seriously determine passing, and are equal to how one looks, if not even marginally more important: voice and mannerisms.
If you do not have a passable voice, develop one immediately, as it will be vital in passing. There are several sites out there that provide the same lessons I learned, so check them out. In a nutshell though, the rules are pretty simple, just requires some practice...here's the gist:
Never use falsetto...dead giveaway. Pitch, within reason is not the issue. How high or low means little compared to other factors that are vastly more important. Produce your voice only from the back of your throat...from your head...never from your chest cavity. The chest is larger in physical males, and produces a characteristic hollow rumble under the voice, which is what must be eliminated. Slightly nasal if you have to, but back of throat. Eventually you will find a place that seems to feel comfortable, but has no low resonant subtones.
No monotone. Males speak in monotone, females use a more 'musical' manner of speech, and often phrase things so they rise slightly at the end, as a question.
Females keep the conversation rolling, nearly constantly make eye contact, have a much smaller or nonexistent 'personal space' of physical proximity to others than males, and almost always gesticulate while speaking.
Females use language males do not, cues such as the use of very diverse names for colors and dramatic adjectives. Females seldom make absolute statements.
By combining some, many, or all of these traits, it is possible to develop a convincing voice.
As for mannerisms, study other women and assimilate body mannerisms that seem comfortable. In time, your own personality will shine, and you will unlearn the crap you had to learn to imitate to survive in a male role. But for now, until you become comfortable and secure, reverse the process and study and imitate the female...only not too far! Exaggeration never works, keep things subtle. The absolute best is to discover how to be yourself...but you have indicated a time issue, so this is crash course stuff.
Females generally are looser in body motion and more relaxed over all. They are especially relaxed in the posterior, though I am not talking a wiggling rump here...that is false and affected. Genuine is always best, as is subtle. Females are naturally more relaxed in their muscles than males. Estrogen will gradually do this for you.
Little details when you are first starting: don't go overboard with makeup, ever. Wear only the kind of clothing other women of your age and situation wear...copy and blend in. If you are uneasy, a good solution is simple slacks suits and jumpsuits, that sort of thing. This is the 90's and few women do skirts anymore. Wear very sensible shoes. Dress down just a bit. Dressing too fancy is a dead giveaway.
It also really helps to have a nontranssexual woman friend help you learn and guide you in a crash course situation. Over time, you will gradually come into your own.

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