Familiennamen und Recht aus sprachwissenschaftlicher Sicht

Abstract

Surnames can be analyzed from three perspectives: as a linguistic sign (M+o+z+a+r+t), as a feature related to an individual (Leopold Mozart), or as a feature of a group (Leopold, Wolfgang, Konstanze Mozart). In this article, juridical regulations concerning these three aspects are discussed with special focus on the linguistic perspective. It is shown in which way juridical regulations influence the identification function of names and how they can lead to the impoverishment or the extension of a language’s surname inventory. From a linguist’s viewpoint, it is advisable to relax the strict juridical regulations relating to the use of personal names. Introducing personal numbers would facilitate this process.