Hansardize, pronounced /ˈhæn.zə.daɪz/, is a term commonly used in legislative and parliamentary activity. The word originated from the name of Luke Hansard, an English printer who started publishing parliamentary debates in the late 18th century. Hansardize refers to the process of preparing an official written record or transcript of parliamentary proceedings. The word is spelled with a "z" instead of the usual "s" in British English, likely due to its origin as a proper noun. Overall, the spelling of Hansardize is unique and reflects its historical origins.
Hansardize is a verb that originates from the noun "Hansard," which refers to the published transcripts or records of parliamentary debates and proceedings. It specifically pertains to the practice of preparing and editing these official records for publication.
To hansardize means to edit, revise, or prepare a document, speech, or conversation to be published as an official record, especially in the context of parliamentary proceedings. It involves converting spoken word into a written format while ensuring accuracy, coherence, and clarity of the recorded information.
The term "hansardize" is commonly used in parliamentary and legislative contexts, where it is essential to maintain accurate documentation of debates, speeches, and discussions held in the chambers. Through hansardization, a spoken statement is carefully transcribed and reviewed for grammatical consistency, syntactic structure, punctuation, and any errors or ambiguities that may affect its interpretation. This process requires skilled transcriptionists or editors who possess thorough understanding of parliamentary protocols, jargon, and conventions.
Hansardization ensures that official records are reliable historical references, providing a comprehensive and unbiased account of parliamentary proceedings. These documents serve as valuable resources for researchers, scholars, journalists, and the public to access and comprehend the development of legislative history, the decision-making process, as well as the opinions and arguments expressed by members of parliament. Thus, hansardizing plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity and accessibility of parliamentary records.
The word "Hansardize" is derived from the name "Thomas Curson Hansard" and the suffix "-ize", which is used to create verbs indicating the act of making something like Hansard.
Thomas Curson Hansard was an English printer and publisher who lived from 1776 to 1833. He is best known for starting the publication of the parliamentary debates of the United Kingdom, known as Hansard. Hansard's printing business was responsible for producing official and accurate transcripts of parliamentary proceedings.
Over time, "Hansardize" came to be used as a verb, meaning to prepare or edit a text, speech, or testimony to make it suitable for publication, particularly within the context of parliamentary or legislative debates. It refers to the process of turning spoken words into a written document that can be officially recorded and referenced.