Re: Spousal names (Was: Re: "Mister" (was: Re: New Lang: Igassik))

H. S. Teoh wrote:
> ObConlang: what happens to names when a native speaker marries a
> non-native speaker? (in conlangs/concultures that adopt the convention of
> one spouse picking up the other's name, that is.)
Ooooh... descent and marriage systems.... this is a favorite topic of
mine!

First some background info:

Boreanesian society is divided into matri- and patri-moieties,
which in turn is incorporated into a four-class system like those
found among Australian aborigines. A Boreanesian's moietal
affiliation is crucial in dictating his/her affiliation with one
of four possible "marriage sections". A native Boreanesian therefore
belongs two one of four possible marriage sections, and in modern
Boreanesia the name of one's marriage section is used as one's
"surname". Since each moiety is strictly exogamous, a Boreanesian
is only allowed to marry someone from outside his/her moietal
affiliation. Thus, each marriage section is paired with another
section in terms of marriage compatability, and the outcome of the
children's section affiliation are dictated accordingly. The children
never inherit the section name of their parents. For instance (for
simplicity, the section names are given as letters), a section "A"
man must (and can only) marry a section "C" woman, and their children
will carry the section "B" name. Similarly, a section "C" man must
(and can only) marry a section "A" woman, but this time their children
will carry the section "D" name.

Now, to answer the question:

When a non-Boreanesian wants to marry a Boreanesian, he/she would have
to formally adopt a compatible marriage section name in order to be
allowed to marry a Boreanesian. In doing so, he/she would be adopting
the moietal affiliations associated with that name. So if a known,
relative of this non-Boreanesian decides *also* to marry a Boreanesian,
then the adopted affiliations of this non-Boreanesian can have
consequences for the compatibility of the relative's choice of mate.
First come first served -- so to speak. Their children would of course
automatically adopt the section name associated with their marriage.

-kristian- 8)