30/08/2007
Scrabble, the quintessential word game, has long been a staple in households across the United Kingdom and beyond, challenging players to craft words from a random assortment of letters. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity yet profound depth, intertwining vocabulary, strategy, and a touch of luck. However, even timeless classics must adapt to changing societal norms, and the world of Scrabble has recently undergone significant shifts, particularly concerning its official word lists. These changes, orchestrated by the game's publisher, Mattel, aim to address modern sensitivities, leading to both widespread support and a degree of contention among its dedicated player base.
The Great Scrabble Word Purge: Why & How
In recent years, the landscape of language has become increasingly scrutinised, with a growing global awareness of the impact of offensive and discriminatory terminology. It is against this backdrop that Mattel, the custodians of the Scrabble brand, embarked on a mission to cleanse the game's official dictionaries of words deemed inappropriate or harmful. This isn't merely a trivial update; it reflects a broader commitment by the publisher to ensure that the game remains inclusive and reflects contemporary values, rather than inadvertently promoting hate speech or discriminatory language.
The initiative to remove certain words from official Scrabble play began to gain significant momentum a couple of years ago, particularly influenced by events in the United States. Following widespread social justice movements, a comprehensive review was undertaken, leading to the exclusion of nearly 200 words from the official American Scrabble dictionary. This move set a precedent for other regions, including the French-speaking Scrabble community, where a similar purge has recently been implemented. The French edition of L’Officiel du jeu du Scrabble now explicitly excludes 62 terms, including their plurals and feminine variants, that are considered racist, sexist, or otherwise discriminatory.
The motivation behind these removals is clear: to ensure the game does not provide a platform for words that incite hatred or perpetuate prejudice. For instance, terms that are derogatory towards specific ethnic groups, gender identities, or sexual orientations have been targeted for removal. This proactive stance by Mattel underscores a recognition of their responsibility not just as a game publisher, but as a cultural entity influencing millions. While some might argue that a dictionary merely reflects language as it is, Mattel's decision indicates a shift towards curating language within the context of a game, aiming for a more respectful and welcoming environment for all players.
Player Reactions: A Game of Words, Not Feelings?
As with any significant change to a beloved tradition, the decision to ban certain words from Scrabble has been met with a mixed bag of reactions from the game's passionate community. Many players have welcomed the move, asserting that a game should be enjoyable and accessible to everyone, free from the discomfort or offense that certain words might cause. They see it as a necessary evolution, aligning Scrabble with modern ethical standards.
However, a vocal contingent of long-time players has expressed skepticism and, in some cases, outright disappointment. Their arguments often revolve around the principle that Scrabble is a game of lexicon and strategy, where the validity of a word should be determined solely by its presence in an official dictionary, not by its social implications. Some contend that removing words from the game does little to address their usage in everyday life, suggesting that such bans are merely symbolic gestures that “won't change anything.” As one enthusiast noted, people will continue to use these words in common parlance, and the only consequence for Scrabble players will be a zero score for attempting to play them.
Furthermore, the implementation of these bans has led to perceived inconsistencies, which have fuelled some of the criticism. For example, some players have pointed out that while certain gendered slurs have been removed, their male counterparts might remain, leading to questions about the thoroughness or logic of the purge. Patrice Jeanneret, the president of the International Francophone Scrabble Federation (FISF), has acknowledged these concerns, expressing understanding for the “disappointment” and “bitterness” felt by the editorial committee responsible for the dictionary in light of what they might view as a form of censorship. This highlights the inherent tension between linguistic integrity and social responsibility, a challenge that publishers like Mattel must navigate carefully.
The debate extends to words that, while potentially offensive in certain contexts, also have legitimate, non-derogatory meanings or historical significance. The removal of such words, like 'jésuitique' in the French context (referring to the religious order), has raised eyebrows, prompting discussions about the nuanced nature of language and the difficulties in drawing clear lines. This ongoing dialogue underscores the complexity of managing a living language within the confines of a game, where every word choice can ignite passionate debate.
Behind the Tiles: Who is Mattel?
To truly understand the recent changes to Scrabble, it's essential to look at the company behind the game: Mattel. This global toy giant has a rich and storied history, beginning in 1945 when Harold Matson and Elliot Handler teamed up in a converted garage in California. The company's name itself is a blend of their names, signifying its foundational partnership.
Initially, Mattel's product line was diverse, starting with picture frames before quickly expanding into doll accessories. Matson soon departed, leaving Elliot Handler and his wife, Ruth, to steer the company. The complementary talents of Elliot, a formidable inventor, and Ruth, a visionary entrepreneur, became the driving force behind Mattel's meteoric rise. Elliot was responsible for creating iconic toys like Hot Wheels in 1968 and developing sound mechanisms that paved the way for talking and musical toys, with 'The Uke-A-Doodle' being an early success.
However, it was Ruth Handler who conceived of a revolutionary three-dimensional doll, a concept that would change the toy industry forever. In 1959, Barbie was launched, becoming an immediate global sensation and a cultural icon. Barbie's success marked the beginning of a long line of commercially triumphant toys and games distributed worldwide by Mattel Inc.
Mattel continued its expansion throughout the latter half of the 20th century. The 1970s saw innovations like the Goldorak robot in 1978. The 1980s were a period of significant growth, with Mattel France becoming a market leader and the creation of popular children's clubs for Barbie and Masters of the Universe. A pivotal moment came in 1988 with an exclusive global contract with Walt Disney for toys targeting the 0-5 age group, further solidifying Mattel's market position.
The 1990s were characterised by dynamic diversification and strategic acquisitions. Mattel acquired Corolle, a renowned French doll manufacturer, and saw immediate success with the creation of Polly Pocket. In 1993, Fisher-Price, a specialist in toys for young children, joined the Mattel family. Crucially for Scrabble enthusiasts, Mattel acquired J.W. Spears, the long-standing manufacturer of Scrabble, in 1994. This acquisition brought the beloved word game under the umbrella of one of the world's largest toy companies, setting the stage for future developments, including the recent word list revisions.
The 2000s ushered in an era of innovation and continued licensing deals for Mattel. They launched successful toy lines based on global literary phenomena like Harry Potter, and strengthened their board game portfolio with the addition of Pictionary. Agreements with major entertainment companies like Warner Bros. for licenses related to Looney Tunes, Batman, Superman, and Justice League further diversified their offerings. In 2004, a licensing agreement with Nickelodeon led to a new line of pre-school toys featuring the character Dora the Explorer. Throughout its history, Mattel has consistently demonstrated a commitment to adapting and expanding its portfolio, ensuring its relevance in an ever-changing market.
Understanding Word Validity in Scrabble
At the heart of every Scrabble game lies the concept of word validity. A word is only playable if it appears in the official dictionary designated for that specific version of the game. For English-language Scrabble, the primary references are typically the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (OSPD) in North America and Collins Scrabble Words (CSW), also known as the official tournament and club word list, which is widely used in the UK and internationally. These dictionaries are meticulously compiled and regularly updated to reflect new words entering the lexicon and, as we've seen, to remove certain terms.
The process of determining word validity is stringent. Lexicographers and language experts work to ensure that the words included are commonly accepted and meet specific criteria for entry. This involves a continuous effort to monitor language evolution. When a player lays down tiles to form a word, its acceptance hinges entirely on whether it can be found in the authoritative dictionary. This reliance on a definitive list ensures fairness and consistency across all games, from casual living-room matches to highly competitive tournaments.
It's important to differentiate between general dictionaries and official Scrabble dictionaries. While a general dictionary might include slang, archaic terms, or highly technical jargon, Scrabble dictionaries are curated specifically for gameplay. They typically exclude proper nouns (names of people, places, brands), abbreviations, prefixes, and suffixes that cannot stand alone as words, and words that require a hyphen or apostrophe. The recent changes regarding offensive words add another layer of criteria, moving beyond mere linguistic presence to ethical considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scrabble's Rules and History
Why did Scrabble ban certain words?
Mattel, the game's publisher, decided to ban certain words to ensure the game is inclusive and does not provide a platform for hate speech or discriminatory language. This move reflects a commitment to modern societal values and aims to create a more welcoming environment for all players.
When did Mattel acquire Scrabble?
Mattel acquired J.W. Spears, the original manufacturer of Scrabble, in 1994. This acquisition brought the popular word game under Mattel's extensive portfolio of toys and games.
Are all offensive words banned globally in Scrabble?
The banning of offensive words is a global initiative by Mattel, though the specific lists of words may vary slightly between different language versions of the game (e.g., English vs. French Scrabble dictionaries). The core principle of removing discriminatory terms is consistent across regions.
Who founded Mattel?
Mattel was founded in 1945 by Harold Matson and Elliot Handler in a converted garage in California. Elliot Handler and his wife, Ruth, later became the driving forces behind the company's significant growth and success.
How are Scrabble words validated during play?
Words in Scrabble are validated by checking against an official dictionary specifically compiled for the game. For English Scrabble, this is typically the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (OSPD) in North America or Collins Scrabble Words (CSW) in the UK and internationally. If a word is not in the designated official dictionary, it is not considered valid for play.
What was Mattel's first product?
Mattel's very first products were picture frames. They quickly diversified into doll accessories before moving on to their hugely successful toy lines, including Barbie and Hot Wheels.
The evolution of Scrabble's word list is a clear indicator that even classic games are not immune to, nor should they be exempt from, societal shifts and ethical considerations. Mattel's decision to cleanse its dictionaries of offensive terms, while provoking debate, ultimately aims to cement Scrabble's place as a game for everyone, reflecting the best of language and human interaction. As the game continues to adapt, it remains a powerful tool for learning, strategy, and bringing people together, one well-placed word at a time.
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