Grammaticalization between Parallel Reduction and Meaning First

Grammaticalization is generally regarded as a cross-linguistically homogeneous phenomenon. The present paper takes as its starting point the two classical perspectives of Meillet and Gabelentz, which can be associated with the two more recent hypotheses of Parallel Reduction (coevolution of meaning and form) and Meaning First, respectively. It will be shown that both hypotheses have their limitations. At the same time, both of them provide a good basis for showing how there is no homogeneity but rather cross-linguistic variation in the properties of grammaticalization outcomes. In the case of Parallel Reduction, a quantitative analysis based on eight parameters shows that the parameters do not covary equally, while data from East and mainland Southeast Asian languages show that Meaning First holds in principle, although pragmatic inference remains relevant even in the context of inflectional categories such as aspect or reference (definiteness, indefiniteness).