The Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association (PAMLA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association, was founded as the Philological Association of the Pacific Coast in 1899. PAMLA, the western regional affiliate of the Modern Language Association (MLA), began its association with the MLA in 1918.
On November 5, 1994, in San Francisco, the members of the Association voted to change the name of the association to the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association. PAMLA retained “Ancient” as part of its title (unlike other regional MLA affiliates) to indicate that even as it broadened its scholarly focus, it continued its dedication to the study of classical (ancient) languages and literatures (such as Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Ancient Chinese, and other older languages and texts), alongside modern languages, literatures, media, arts, and cultural studies.
PAMLA hosts an annual scholarly Humanities conference on the west coast for more than 1,000 members.
The Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association is dedicated to the creation, advancement, and diffusion of the aesthetic practices and knowledge of ancient and modern languages, literature, media, culture, and the arts. In addition to its annual conference, PAMLA publishes two annual issues of Pacific Coast Philology, its peer reviewed scholarly journal, and hosts PAMLA Arts Matter.
Anyone interested in creative writing, language, literary or cultural studies, media or film studies, or the arts may become a PAMLA member: see Membership for further information.
Please browse this site to learn about our Association’s activities, resources, and procedures.
To contact PAMLA, or PAMLA’s Executive Director Craig Svonkin:
P.O. Box 461245, Denver, CO 80246
director@pamla.org OR 626-354-7526
Questions?
If you have any questions, ideas, or concerns regarding PAMLA, do not hesitate to contact PAMLA’s Executive Director Craig Svonkin (director@pamla.org or 626-354-7526).