The spelling of the word "character reference" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈkærəktər/ /ˈrɛfərəns/. The first syllable "char" is pronounced with the vowel "a" sound as in "cat", followed by the consonant sound "k". The next syllable "ac" is pronounced with the vowel "a" sound as in "act", followed by the consonant sound "t". The second word "reference" is pronounced with the vowel "e" sound as in "bed", followed by the consonant sound "f" and the ending "əns" pronounced as "uhns".
Character reference is a term used to define a written or oral statement that provides information about an individual's personal qualities, moral conduct, and reputation. It typically originates from someone who has had personal experience with or knows the individual well. A character reference is often used in legal contexts, such as court proceedings or job applications, to provide an assessment of an individual's character traits and to help assess their suitability for a particular role or situation.
A character reference serves as a testament to an individual's honesty, integrity, reliability, and overall moral fiber. It may highlight positive attributes such as loyalty, compassion, kindness, and responsibility. Conversely, it may also mention any negative aspects or past incidents that reflect negatively on the individual's character. The intention of a character reference is to present an unbiased opinion of the person being referenced, providing an external perspective that can supplement other forms of information about the individual.
Character references are often solicited in legal proceedings to help judges or juries gain a more complete understanding of an individual's character. In job applications, employers may request character references to assess the candidate's suitability for a specific role, particularly when dealing with positions of trust or sensitivity. The individual providing the character reference should have personal knowledge of the person being referenced and be capable of providing an objective and informed opinion.
The term "character reference" consists of two components: "character" and "reference".
1. Character:
The word "character" originated from the Latin word "character" meaning "distinctive mark" or "imprint". It was derived from the Greek word "kharakter", which originally referred to a stamping tool or engraving tool used to make a distinct mark. Over time, "character" evolved to signify the combination of qualities or features that make a person distinctive, particularly in terms of their moral or ethical virtues.
2. Reference:
The word "reference" has its roots in the Latin word "referre", which means "to carry back" or "to bring back". It is a combination of "re-" (meaning "again" or "back") and "ferre" (meaning "to carry" or "to bring").