The universal linking model developed in this study in the framework of multi-dimensional valency theory and a model of proto-roles is distinguished by the unified treatment it gives to verbs with unmarked and marked valencies. On the basis of 11 different languages, evidence is adduced to show that marked valencies are frequent and only occur with verbs displaying certain specific argument and situation structures, thus necessitating the formulation of the linking rules pertaining to them. In addition it is possible to demonstrate that marked valencies are not generated by the affinity of certain cases to certain thematic roles but serve in their entirety as a morphosyntactic marker for certain semantic features.