Bootstrapping verb movement and the clausal architecture of German (and other languages)

In the mainstream analysis of verb second clauses, the finite verb moves to Comp or one of the various heads present in the cartographic approach to CP. We show that such analyses are not satisfactory empirically, and cannot even be formulated within minimalist syntax. Verb movement – and head movement in general – should rather be analysed in terms of a ‘bootstrapping’ movement, in which the displaced head reprojects in its landing site.