Haiman [Haiman, J. 1985. Natural Syntax. Iconicity and Erosion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.] makes a distinction between ‘lexical’ and ‘grammatical’ languages. A lexical language has a large stock of primary roots, while a grammatical one has a small stock and makes up the deficit in periphrastic constructions […] Long-established languages are relatively more lexical, while pidgins, trade languages, second language learner varieties and child language are more grammatical.
- Romaine (1988), a pag.35