I'm really enjoying the discussions here on "ain't."  Currently, I'm on
sabbatical writing a grammar text for my class.  Researching it, I became
sidetracked on the history behind our teaching methodologies and our
views of grammar.  I'm convinced that we don't get enough on this to help
us as teachers make informed decisions.  It's eerie to read Padley on the
fights among Italians in the Renaissance about which dialect was superior
and then read the latest diatribe on Ebonics.  I'm fascinated by the
resistance we have towards veiwing language as human behavior rather than
divine fiat.  I'd recommend Padley's work on the history of vernacular
grammars in Ren. Europe for anyone (although it's a bit thick going for
the non-specialist), and Binnen's book on verbs (sorry, don't have the
title here).  Anyone else have special favorites or insights on the
history of linguistics?
 
Jeanie