CONNOTATIVE ANTHROPONYMS AND QUASI-ANTHROPONYMS DENOTING AVERAGE CITIZEN

Abstract

The article analyzes connotative and quasi-anthroponyms denoting the concept of ‘ordinary citizen’. Basing on the current material, we clarify the main structural and semantic features of such names in the Ukrainian, French and German languages.
Connotative anthroponyms and quasi-anthroponyms have a common function, but are of different origins; usually the boundary between these types of names is negligible. Connotative anthroponyms are usually typical national names, surnames or other types of proper names of a certain period. Quasi-anthroponyms are formed by a range of linguistic means: the use of obscene and slang words; common names that explicitly express the meaning of mediocrity (especially in German), expressive vocabulary. The creation of quasi-anthroponyms is carried out by adding of typical anthroponymic affixes to common names and mixing anthroponymic components with appellatives in case of a two-component name.
Connotative and quasi-anthroponyms are mostly derogatory, and those used to denote representatives of other nations can sometimes be considered a manifestation of hate speech. The vast majority of the studied language units belong to the masculine gender, which has neutral meaning. Feminine names have neither ameliorative nor pejorative meanings compared to masculine ones. In some cases, feminine names are used with a neutral meaning.
Structurally connotative anthroponyms and quasi-anthroponyms denoting an average citizen may consist of a name; surname; name and surname; identifier and surname; name, patronymic and (sometimes) surname. The prevalence of structural models depends on language traditions and may change over time.