Modern Language Association

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Established in 1883 to promote the study and teaching of the modern languages and literatures, the MLA seeks to enhance public understanding of the ways that language and literature enrich people’s lives. The MLA is a not-for-profit membership organization with 28,000 members, most of whom teach in colleges and universities in the United States. Through its radio program, What’s the Word? the MLA has served a national audience of public radio listeners who have an interest in reading and talking about language and literature. In April 1997, the first thirteen What’s the Word? programs were made available to public radio stations.  After producing 305 programs, the series ceased production in 2010. What’s the Word?'s half-hour programs were written, produced, and hosted by Sally Placksin. They feature scholars and writers speaking about everything from Shakespeare and other classics to contemporary fiction, from detective novels to the lyrics of the blues, and from learning a foreign language to slam poetry.

Series

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5 Pieces

A series of programs that can be aired for Women's History Month in March

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2 Pieces

Two shows exploring the power of poetry -- from our earliest childhood rhyming games to expressions that attempt to capture in words the spiritual connection with the divine.

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2 Pieces

The art of poetry, from classical Arabic ode to twentieth-century experimental poems.

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0 Pieces

Two half-hour programs celebrating Hispanic heritage through Puerto Rican and Latin American Literature

Caption: "Ola - Noatak", Credit: Photograph courtesy of Library of Congress,<br>Prints & Photographs Division,<br>Edward S. Curtis Collection,<br>LC-USZ62-89841
2 Pieces

Two half-hour programs honoring National American Indian and Alaska-Native Heritage Month

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2 Pieces

Two half-hour programs commemmorating September 11th

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2 Pieces

Four literary works that reflect and influence the way we talk about race and resistance.

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0 Pieces

Two half-hour programs exploring Shakespeare's powerful women and an American actor's mission


Pieces

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How did slaves resist their oppression? Three works explore what it means to resist and to survive.

Bought by RadioStPete Florida, KICI Iowa City, KUOW, KVNF, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo. and more


  • Added: Jan 07, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 24

  • Added: Aug 05, 2008
  • Length: 29:45
  • Purchases: 7
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During the early and mid-twentieth century, many Latin American writers engaged with international literary and cultural movements.

Bought by KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., KRZA, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, WRNC-LP and more


  • Added: Aug 05, 2008
  • Length: 29:45
  • Purchases: 6

  • Added: Mar 14, 2008
  • Length: 29:45
  • Purchases: 11

  • Added: Mar 14, 2008
  • Length: 29:45
  • Purchases: 5
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Three powerful films about American veterans returning home.

Bought by WLIW, WLIW, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., and KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash.


  • Added: Oct 30, 2007
  • Length: 29:45
  • Purchases: 4
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A look at three landmark Amercian plays dealing with the AIDs crisis

Bought by WLIW, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., WRNC-LP, and KPFA


  • Added: Sep 17, 2007
  • Length: 29:45
  • Purchases: 4

  • Added: Sep 17, 2007
  • Length: 29:45
  • Purchases: 10
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Carmen, Eugene Onegin, Falstaff, and their literary predecessors

Bought by 'The Sea', WLIW, WLIW, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash. and more


  • Added: Sep 17, 2007
  • Length: 29:45
  • Purchases: 9