This study examined salary data for 20,191 college faculty in the field of English language and literature/letters (general) for both public and private institutions for the years 1995-1996 and 1998-1999. The study reflects data obtained from the 279 public and 386 private institutions that participated in both study years. The study found that the average faculty salary in English language/literature for public institutions was 13.3 percent lower than the average salary for faculty in all major fields in 1995-1996 and 13.5 percent lower than the average salary for faculty in all major fields in 1998-1999. It also found that the average faculty salary for private institutions was 8.7 percent lower than the average salary for faculty in all major fields in 1995-1996 and 10.7 percent lower than the average salary for faculty in all major fields in 1998-1999. For the study period, faculty in public and private institutions received average annual salary increases of 1.0 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively, above the cost of living (as reflected by the Consumer Price Index). Three appendixes provide a list of disciplines and participating institutions. (MDM)