Modern Language Association of America

The Modern Language Association of America, often referred to as the Modern Language Association (MLA), is the principal professional association in the United States for scholars of language and literature. The MLA aims to "strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature." The organization includes over 25,000 members in 100 countries, primarily academic scholars, professors, and graduate students who study or teach language and literature, including English, other modern languages, and comparative literature. Although founded in the United States, with offices in New York City, the MLA's membership, concerns, reputation, and influence are international in scope.

The MLA was founded in 1883, as a discussion and advocacy group for the study of literature and modern languages (that is, all but classical languages, such as ancient Latin and Greek). According to its profile featured by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), "The Modern Language Association is formed for educational, scientific, literary, and social objects and purposes, and more specifically for the promotion of the academic and scientific study of English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and other so-called modern languages and literatures."

The officers of the MLA are elected by its members. The 2017 president is Diana Taylor, and the first vice president is Anne Ruggles Gere, who will advance to president in 2018. The 2017 second vice president is Simon Gikandi.

The MLA is governed by an Executive Council, elected periodically by its members, according to the MLA Constitution.

The MLA publishes several academic journals, including Publications of the Modern Language Association of America (abbreviated as PMLA), one of the most prestigious journals in literary studies, and Profession, which is now published online on MLA Commons and discusses professional issues faced by teachers of language and literature. The association also publishes the MLA Handbook, a guide that is geared toward high school and undergraduate students and has sold more than 6,500,000 copies. An eighth edition was published in spring 2016. The MLA Style Manual was geared toward graduate students, scholars, and professional writers, and the third edition was declared out of print in September 2016. The MLA produces the online database, MLA International Bibliography, the standard bibliography in language and literature.

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