Actuator, in particular, for a motor vehicle

A control element, which is a switching device, for manual actuation of functions in a motor vehicle, having a handle, wherein the handle is mounted on a carrier such that the handle is adjustable in two different directions from a neutral position into at least in each case one adjustment position associated with the respective direction via a pivoting movement of the handle, and having a means for the detection of the adjustment positions, wherein the means for the detection of the adjustment positions has a code carrier which has a coding for the adjustment positions, and comprises a sensor which senses the coding, that all adjustment positions are detected by way of the one code carrier, wherein the code carrier interacts with the handle in such a way that the code carrier is linearly movable in two directions due to the pivoting movement of the handle, wherein the interaction of the handle with the code carrier is effected by way of a first pin, which is arranged on the handle, that engages a first slot of the code carrier with the first slot extending in one direction of the two directions in which the code carrier is linearly movable, and at least a second pin, which is arranged on the carrier, that engages at least a second slot of the code carrier with the second slot extending in an other direction, which is different from the one direction, of the two directions in which the code carrier is linearly movable.