Re: Schwa (Was PIE Reconstruction)

> Excuse a tautology, but no language is difficult to its own speakers
> once they have fully acquired it. My own native language has some

really

> monstrous initial clusters, such as /strf-/, /xs^c'-/ or /mgl-/, and

yet

> we manage pronounce them without inserting prop-vowels or making
> consonants syllabic. Ancient Greek <kHtHo:n> was "difficult" too, so
> what? It was easy enough for the Greeks.
>
> Piotr

Few things really are difficult to pronounce. However, I think the
matter is something different: What is easy to hear and understand at
some distance. Take for eksample the combination: "tkptf". It is easy
to pronounc (I think) but very difficult to hear at som distance. Then
let in some schwas: t&k&pt&f. Now it is easier to hear.