The word "identification document" is spelled as /aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən ˈdɑkjəmənt/. The initial syllable "i-" is pronounced as the diphthong /aɪ/, followed by the stressed syllable "-den", which has a short vowel sound /ɛ/. The ending "-fication" is pronounced with a long vowel sound /eɪ/, followed by the final syllable "-tion" that has the schwa sound /ʃən/. The second part of the word "document" is pronounced with the short vowel sound /ɑ/ followed by the schwa sound /ənt/. Together, the word is pronounced as eye-den-ti-fi-kay-shun dahk-yuh-muhnt.
An identification document is an official document issued by a government or other authorized entity that is used to establish a person's identity. It is commonly a tangible item that contains personal information and is used as proof of identification for various purposes. The primary function of an identification document is to verify and confirm a person's identity in order to access certain privileges, services, or rights.
Typically, an identification document includes details such as the individual's full name, date of birth, gender, nationality, and sometimes a photograph. These documents can take various forms, including passports, driver's licenses, national identity cards, social security cards, and employment authorization cards, among others.
Identification documents play a crucial role in numerous situations, such as verifying a person's eligibility to work legally in a country, allowing international travel, opening bank accounts, obtaining government benefits, and participating in elections. They are also important for security and law enforcement purposes, aiding in the prevention of identity theft, fraud, and illegal activities.
Given the importance of identification documents, they are usually issued following a rigorous application process and are subject to strict regulations and security features to prevent counterfeiting and tampering. Authenticity, validity, and accuracy of the information contained in the identification document are crucial to ensure its effectiveness and reliability.
The word "identification document" combines two words with distinct origins: "identification" and "document".
1. "Identification":
The word "identification" is derived from the Latin word "identificare", which consists of two parts - "idem", meaning "same", and "facere", meaning "to make" or "to do". Therefore, "identification" essentially means "to make the same" or "to establish sameness". The term relates to the process of recognizing or proving the identity of an individual or object. It helps distinguish one person or thing from others and has been used since the mid-17th century.
2. "Document":
The word "document" finds its roots in the Latin word "documentum", which implies "instruction" or "evidence". It comes from the verb "docere", meaning "to teach" or "to show".