The papers contain correspondence, reports, and printed material relating to Bernard Bloch's editorship of Language, the journal of the Linguistic Society of America, his directorship of Japanese language training programs at Yale during World War II, and other professional activities. The fourteen linear feet of papers are arranged in two series.
Series I: GENERAL FILES consists of alphabetically arranged correspondence and topical files, the bulk of which pertains to Bloch's editorship of Language. Approximately one-quarter of the material relates to Bloch's literary productions, teaching activities and involvement in professional organizations. Correspondents include Frank Edgerton, Edgar H. Sturtevant, and George Trager. For the most part, the files have retained their original order and titles.
Series II: JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMS contains personnel applications, correspondence, and reports relating to the Japanese language component of the Army Specialized Training Program and the Civil Affairs Training Program at Yale. Particularly noteworthy are the applications and correspondence relating to the Japanese and Japanese-American language tutors.