While I'm at it (and I apologize if I am asking too many questions that might not be appropriate for the subject matter of this group), I've always wanted to know what the difference in articulation is between Polish cz, sz, z* and Polish ci+vowel, si+vowel, and zi+vowel. When I had the opportunity to ask this of a Polish immigrant to Canada I became acquainted with, she pronounced ci, si, zi with a following /i/ vowel while pronouncing cz, sz, z* without a vowel. Thus I did not have contrasting pairs and the difference was not plain to me, since the most salient difference was the presence of /i/ in the one series, and its absence in the other, as this lady pronounced them. I could have asked her to clarify, but I felt that I would be becoming too annoying, so I dropped the issue. But perhaps one of you (Piotr?) could
explain in words the difference in pronunciation between these two series? I understand if you feel it is outside the interests of this group.
Andrew