Inspired by a recent gender-noun controversy, I wonder how to properly address someone with obvious male sexual physical appearance, but who is insisted on being called a "she" ( probably because that's the sex that "she" feels should be associated with since birth, physical appearance regardless).
My concern specifically boils down to whether we should call "her" a man or or woman.
"She is a man", or, "She is a woman"
Which one is correct?
In the English language, as in others, any word depends on context: a word is not something like a physical object, so it is never linked entirely to a definite physical property or being. Similarly, several seemingly contradictory words can still in some way apply to the same thing.
Provided that this person is being serious, I think the only polite thing to do is to honour her request. The more masculine her appearance is, though, the less people will judge you if you slip from time to time. So try to do your best without getting nervous around her.
