Coverage includes criticism and scholarship on literature from all over the world--Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America--but excludes Classical Greek and Latin, and other "dead" languages. Folklore is represented by folk literature, music, art, rituals, and belief systems. Linguistics and language materials range from history and theory of linguistics, comparative linguistics, semantics, stylistics, and syntax to translation. Other topics include literary theory and criticism, dramatic arts (film, radio, television, theater), and history of printing and publishing, and the theory and practice of teaching literature and language.

It also includes critical writings on literature and human languages, including both natural languages and invented languages, e.g., sign language and Esperanto. Citations in a non-Roman alphabet are translated into the Roman alphabet. Citations from more than 60 languages are included.

The database also includes The MLA Directory of Periodicals, a listing of the journals covered by the MLA Biblipgraphy, which includes subscription, submission, editorial, and other useful information.

Subjects Covered: Criticism, Drama, Folklore, Humanities, Language, Linguistics, Literature, Film, Radio, and Television