Use and Presentation of Personal Name Components in Chinese Authority Files

This study explores means of coping with the increase in homonymous personal name files in authority control systems. To improve the accuracy with which such files are distinguished, we suggest developing systematic rules for handling additional components-elements frequently, but inconsistently, associated with personal name authority files in various authority control schemes. We describe the general usage of these components for Chinese personal names, along with the influence of these use patterns on the quality of name authority files. To illustrate our points, we offer a statistical analysis of the top 100 personal names (i.e., those with the greatest number of homonymous entries) from the name duplication list in the three most influential databases in China: HKCAN, NLC and CALIS. Statistics of name duplication, along with type and use frequency of additional components, are described and analyzed. We also analyze the discriminating power of three frequently-used types of additional information. Finally, we point out various issues which have impeded the broader and more systematic use of additional components.