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Old 01-21-2014, 08:53 AM
nuckollsr nuckollsr is offline Windows XP Office 2013
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Join Date: Jan 2014
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Default Dictionary customization in Word

Is it possible to REPLACE the main dictionary in Word with a customized file . . . a small sub-set of the original? Or perhaps a way to direct Word not to use the main dictionary at all but rely solely on one or more custom dictionaries?

I'm working with a group of tech writers who are often widely separated from each other. Their work product is often sprinkled with words that do not add to meaning/understanding. Quite often, different words are used to describe the same object or idea.

The goal is to craft an editing tool that references a sub-set of the English language dictionaries for the purpose of gathering the thoughts of numerous writers into a tighter constellation of words . . .

This is not unlike the idea behind Technical Standard English for writing aircraft maintenance manuals. I've considered trying their tools but the audience is wrong. They write for a word-wide population of pilots, mechanics and technicians. The word-set is carefully crafted to foster understanding amongst individuals for whom English is not a first language.

My task addresses a much tighter population of programmers and designers who's vocabulary has little in common with the mechanics, pilots and technicians.

It would be VERY helpful if I could set up dictionaries that work under word to defined the preferred subset of language for this venue.
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