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


Pieces

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Gertrude, Cleopatra, and Margaret--perspectives on women and power

Bought by WLIW, WLIW, CHSR-FM 97.9, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., and KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash.


  • Added: Apr 26, 2007
  • Length: 30:00
  • Purchases: 5
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Actor Al Pacino's mission to bring Shakespeare to a wider audience...

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


  • Added: Apr 26, 2007
  • Length: 29:59
  • Purchases: 4
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While men of letters have traditionally achieved the influential position of public intellectual, in the twentieth century a number of important wo...

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, WLIW, WNMU-FM, WLIW, CHSR-FM 97.9 and more


  • Added: Mar 13, 2007
  • Length: 29:45
  • Purchases: 17

  • Added: Feb 23, 2007
  • Length: 29:32
  • Purchases: 27

  • Added: Feb 23, 2007
  • Length: 29:54
  • Purchases: 29

  • Added: Feb 23, 2007
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 12
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Jane Austen's _Pride and Prejudice_ continues to be popular nearly two hundred years after it was first published.

Bought by WLIW, WNMU-FM, WLIW, CHSR-FM 97.9, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash. and more


  • Added: Feb 22, 2007
  • Length: 29:46
  • Purchases: 14

  • Added: Sep 28, 2006
  • Length: 29:08
  • Purchases: 12
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The evolution, influence, and energy of a genre

Bought by WFHB, Raven Radio, WLIW, WLIW, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash. and more


  • Added: Sep 13, 2006
  • Length: 29:08
  • Purchases: 11
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A look at the "American self," from Puritans to successful businessmen to changing roles for women.

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


  • Added: Jun 09, 2006
  • Length: 29:09
  • Purchases: 6