Scrabble Dictionary in Holding Pattern
Disgruntled Scrabble players voted for a wait-and-see decision as to whether Collins' declared "new methodology"
At a recent annual general meeting (AGM) of the Association of British Scrabble Players (ABSP), members expressed dissatisfaction with Collins' failures and unkept promises, resulting in a certain lack of confidence that the publisher is the best choice in the players' interest.
Decisions of the ABSP have a domino effect for competitive players around the globe as the Dictionary Committee (DC) that advises it is part of the World English-language Scrabble Players Association.
"The DC, ABSP and Mattel all desire to have a new word list in place as soon as possible next year," WESPA chairman Allan Simmons underlined.
"The upshot is that the DC will make a recommendation in a month or so which the ABSP membership is expected to be balloted on."
Scrabble manufacturer Mattel apologised at the ABSP AGM for the situation.
Mattel had taken a commercial decision two years ago to have Collins publish an official dictionary, rather than Chambers which had done so since the mid-'80s.
An outcry from players thereafter arose, appalled that Mattel should dictate what dictionary they must use but the DC soon knuckled down to see that the Collins tome reflected player requirements.
Collins own terse words of apology at the AGM were characterised by some ABSP members as the equivalent "an insincere station announcement about delayed train service."
"However, because it was felt necessary to at least see what Collins' latest attempt might look like, the AGM supported - by about a 60 per cent vote in favour - for the DC to continue to help Collins verify that their revised methodology will generate an accurate word list," Simmons explained.
Jumping into the fray, Chambers had earlier vowed to the DC that it could, within months, put together an updated dictionary, based upon its 2003 edition, a North American word bank and other new words. The option remains on the table, the chairman said.
Though the DC was meticulously poring over COSD proofs early last year, Collins, in an apparent rush to get the book published ahead of last year's eighth World Scrabble Championship and Christmas sales, decided to sideline the essential final checking by the committee.
When a landslide of errors was discovered in COSD, the DC reported them earlier this year and an official errata appendix was planned but, following the identification of a fresh set of unacceptable errors identified in April, Collins became incommunicado with the committee.
Consequently, no Scrabble group in 40-45 countries where the brainy game is played competitively has accepted COSD.
Chambers Official Scrabble Words, international edition, remains the bible for serious players though competitors are crying out for an outdated version of the 2000 tome.
A Scrabble website debate on the Collins dilemma last week had some ironic comment that there are apparently "dictionary publishers that don't know how to publish dictionaries."
The Chambers proposal to open dialogue with Mattel in order to quickly issue a dictionary, working with the DC, was understandably rejected as Mattel had signed a business agreement with Collins and was intent on making the pact work.
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Editor: the writer of the communique is a member of the Wespa management committee and chairs its communications committee.
