This paper analyses some processes leading from coordination and informational hierarchy to subordination in various Austronesian languages, mostly belonging to the Oceanic subgroup. The origin and direction of change of the corresponding morphemes will be addressed, especially those which display a three-tiered functional load as connectors, topic or focus markers and subordinators. What semantic, discourse and syntactic processes link these functions, what kind of reanalysis is involved? Results show (i) that demonstratives or definite markers are often reanalysed as informational hierarchy markers and subordinators and (ii) that clause-linkers with three-tiered functions mostly originate from sequential 'and then', additive coordinators ('and/plus'), or from contrastive coordinators 'but'.