Modern Language Association

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.