markedness

[Bob Wyatt]

Dear list colleagues,
I would greatly appreciate any recommendations of articles or books
which deal with "markedness" from a systemic-functional
point of view. References to it are scant in the SFG texts I have.
Essentially, my problem is this:

If "markedness" is based on frequency of use (an impression I get from
the use of words like "typical" or "common" for describing "unmarked"
choices in a given system), are there statistics which support these
categories (marked/unmarked)?

Moreover, if it is based on frequency, wouldn't that imply the
possibility of local or regional preferences or broad variation in what
elements are considered "unmarked"  among larger groups of speakers (for
example: in Australia, Canada, the UK, the US)?

Writing from a non-SFG stance, Andrews (1990) says: "The purpose of
markedness theory is to explain properties that are
invariant, not to justify a system based upon stastical frequency,
which, by definition, is a context-specific phenomenon (p.137)."

Any guidance or opinions on the subject will be greatfully accepted.

Best wishes,
Bob Wyatt

--
Bob Wyatt, Applied Linguistics, Distance Education Group (EAD),
Extension Course Service (COGEAE), The Catholic Univ. of São Paulo (PUC/SP),
Homepage http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/8604