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Three-consonant sequences61word. It has been demonstrated that the Strict CV model using only thetwo mechanisms PG and IG can cover the Polish facts. Crucially, theanalysis is made possible by the introduction of the initial empty CVunit, which replaces the traditional boundary marker #. On the basis ofprefixation both in Polish and Czech we have seen that the postulationof two representations for phonetically the same cluster is fully justified.The existence of both representations in the grammar is responsible for,among other things, the inconsistent behaviour of the prefix vowels.Furthermore, we have made an attempt to explain the peculiar characterof the bilabial nasal /m/ occurring in clusters with other sonorants. Ithas been demonstrated that /m/ plays a special role in the Polish phonologicalsystem in that it behaves like a regular obstruent because it isa governee in the IG relations. In the following section we shall look ingreater detail at the three-consonant clusters in Polish at the left edge ofthe word. We shall also discuss the problem of the so-called trapped sonorantsin the language.3. Three-consonant sequences3.1. IntroductionThe present section deals with three-consonant clusters occurring at theleft margin in Polish. The analysis is restricted to Polish, although somereference to other Slavic languages is also provided (section 3.4). Thesection aims at demonstrating that the mechanisms needed to accountfor various word-initial two-consonant clusters, i.e. Proper Governmentand Infrasegmental Government, are sufficient to describe the remaining,more complex sequences. It will become obvious that Polish allows forcomplex word-initial consonant clusters not because it is ‘special’ or ‘privileged’,but because the initial empty CV unit in this language is inactive.In consequence both mechanisms, that is, PG and IG, have a chanceto occur, giving rise to ‘exotic’ consonant sequences. Additionally, in thefollowing sub-sections (section 3.3) we shall present an in-depth analysisof the so-called trapped sonorants which are claimed to be a typical Polishcase.