Guinness World Records confirmed on Tuesday that the Xinhua Dictionary, which is published by The Commercial Press in China, is the world's Most Popular Dictionary and the Best-Selling Book (regularly updated).

As of July 28, 2015 - which was the last time the dictionary was updated - the Xinhua Dictionary had sold 567 million copies globally, Guinness World Records announced at the presentation ceremony in London. The dictionary was first published in 1953.

"Our teams have completed extensive data investigation, collection and examination for these two records, and we are delighted to verify that the Xinhua Dictionary is the most popular dictionary and the best-selling regularly updated book," said Marco Frigatti, senior vice-president for records at Guinness.

Dubbed the "National Dictionary", the Xinhua Dictionary has been an important tool and resource for several generations of Chinese people. It is seen as a repository of Chinese culture and as having an impact on the linguistic lives of billions of people. It is also popular with non-Chinese people who are learning the language.

Tan Yue, president of China Publishing Group, the parent company of The Commercial Press, said the records show the popularity of the Chinese language.

"China Publishing Group has many time-honored member publishing houses and comprehensively recognized publications, among which The Commercial Press and the Xinhua Dictionary are typical examples," Tan said. "The Most Popular Dictionary and Best-Selling Book (regularly updated) record titles themselves are the epitome of Sino-Foreign cultural exchange, showing the increasing international influence of the Chinese language at a micro level."

Yu Dianli, president of The Commercial Press, said the two titles would bring more opportunities for cooperation between globally known cultural institutes and the publishing company.

Xinhua

Tan Yue of China Publishing Group (left), and Yu Dianli of The Commercial Press (right), receive awards in London on Tuesday from Marco Frigatti of Guinness World Records.

Dictionaries win accolades through years

Tan Yue of China Publishing Group (left), and Yu Dianli of The Commercial Press (right), receive awards in London on Tuesday from Marco Frigatti of Guinness World Records. Xinhua

1. First dictionary

The writer of the first dictionary is thought to be the ancient Greek philosopher Protagoras of Abdera, who in the 5th century BC compiled a glossary of difficult words encountered in the writings of Homer.

2. Thickest book unpublished

The thickest book measures 4.62 meters and was produced by Ordbogen A/S and Bjarni Norddahl in Odense, Denmark. The 89,471-page book is called Verdens Storste Ordbog ("The world's largest dictionary") and collates 46 dictionaries available on www.ordbogen.com. The record was recognized in April 2013.

3. Longest literary gestation

The standard German dictionary Deutsches Worterbuch was begun by the brothers Grimm (Jacob and Wilhelm) in 1854 and finished in 1971. It consists of 34,519 pages and 33 volumes.

4. Largest collection of dictionaries

Chinese collector Wang Yingyu had 2,345 different dictionaries as of August 3, 2010. He has been gathering them since the 1970s. Wang's collection includes various versions of Chinese dictionaries from more than 100 publishers. All are displayed in his apartment.

(China Daily USA 04/14/2016 page5)