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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An exploration of writers and characters of mixed race

Bought by WMUU-LP


  • Added: Sep 02, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
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Three novels that explore Trujillo's influence on life in the Dominican Republic and in the diaspora

  • Added: Sep 02, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
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An exploration of the African novel

Bought by WMUU-LP


  • Added: Sep 02, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
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Three writers whose work explores the intersection of religion and the state

Bought by KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash.


  • Added: Sep 02, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
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Three members of Ojibwe communities, which reach from Michigan to Montana in the United States and from Quebec to Saskatchewan in Canada, share the...

Bought by KZYX, KKWE Niijii Radio, WLIW, WNMU-FM, KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash. and more


  • Added: Oct 20, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 19

  • Added: Aug 19, 2009
  • Length: 28:58
  • Purchases: 8
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A look at how the events of September 11th changed the way we read Shakespeare's plays about politics and leadership.

Bought by KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., KMRE-LP Bellingham, Wash., KFOK-LPFM, KSFR, WTIP and more


  • Added: Aug 06, 2009
  • Length: 28:58
  • Purchases: 6
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How do those who have experienced the direct presence of God capture this heightened state in words?

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


  • Added: Mar 04, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 9
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The poetry we hear—and create—as children teaches us about the power of words.

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


  • Added: Mar 04, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 16