Additional information:

Swiss-German acquisition data clash with Wexler’s (1999) claim that children set basic word-order parameters very early. The two children of my study consistently move the finite verb in embedded clauses, although the verb-final pattern of the target grammar is clearly attested in the input. I treat the children’s non-target-consistent verb placement as parameter missetting. Their verb placement, however, does resemble that in matrix clauses in Old and Middle English. Thus the children adopt a setting compatible with Universal Grammar, which supports the continuity hypothesis. Only after age 4;11 do they abandon verb movement, which I argue is the result of parameter resetting.