Quote:
| that children have a built-in mechanism, which he called the Language Acquisition Device, or LAD, which pre-programs them to develop grammar based on the linguistic input they receive. |
that children have a built-in mechanism - direct object of suggested
which he called the Language Acquisition Device, or LAD - adjectival clause modifying mechanism
which pre-programs them to develop grammar based on the linguistic input they receive - adjectival clause modifying mechanism
The part I want to understand word for word is:
which pre-programs them to develop grammar based on the linguistic input they receive which - subject
pre-programs - verb
them - direct object of pre-programs?
to develop grammar - infinitive phrase consisting of infinitive + object? What function is this though? An object comeplement to them?
based on the linguistic input - past participial phrase modifying grammar?
based - past participal
on the linguistic input - prep. phrase
they receive - elliptical (missing that) relative/adjectival clause modifying input?
What do you think of this analysis?
Thanks,
Donna