vanity

[Meja]

1. Is it usual to pronounce 'vanity' in this way: /ˈvænədi/?
I saw it here, and they offer such pronunciation for other words ending in -ty, like vitality/vaɪˈtælədi/, density or poverty.

 

[Tarheel]

I have only heard the pronunciation with the "tee" sound: VAN-uh-tee.

 

[GoesStation]

In American English a T between two vowels usually becomes a /d/ sound. Out of five Americans and one Canadian who provided sample pronunciations at forvo.com, only one pronounces the T like /t/.

 

[andrewg927]

I usually pronounce it with a "d" but sometimes with a "t" as well.

 

[andrewg927]

Clearly 'ty' as in 'tea' ----- clari-tea, obscuri-tea, facul-tea, antiqui-tea, and others.

Other than faculty, I actually pronounce clarity, antiquity more like a "d". It is a subtle difference between a "t" and a "d". I read about it somewhere a while ago. I think it is called a "flap t."

 

[probus]

It may also depend to some extent on the context. When speaking of bathroom fittings, I think the T to D transition is common, but people are more likely to be precise about the T sound when discussing the behaviour of friends and colleagues.

 

[Meja]

Does this happen only if the syllable is unstressed? For example, we couldn't pronounce material or totalitarian with /d/, could we?

It may also depend to some extent on the context. When speaking of bathroom fittings, I think the T to D transition is common, but people are more likely to be precise about the T sound when discussing the behaviour of friends and colleagues.

I think that do not understand what you refer to here.

 

[teechar]

I think that I do not understand what you refer to here.

"Vanity" can mean:
1- a personal trait.
2- a dressing table.

 

[teechar]

Also, click on the red speaker icons in the link below to hear typical BrE and AmE pronunciations of "vanity."

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/vanity

 

[emsr2d2]

Or click here to hear eight native speakers pronounce it.

 

[GoesStation]

For many younger (well, younger than I) speakers of BrE, intervocalic t is often produced as a glottal stop.

That feature exists in some northeastern AmE dialects, too.

 

[GoesStation]

Does this happen only if the syllable is unstressed? For example, we couldn't pronounce material or totalitarian with /d/, could we?

That's right. If the following syllable is unstressed, /t/ usually softens to /d/ in most AmE pronunciations.

 

[SoothingDave]

It is a d in my dialect, unless I am being very particular about pronunciation for some reason. Even if it isn't followed by anything.

 

[andrewg927]

I think that do not understand what you refer to here.

I think in BE, bathroom fittings are considered vanities. We have a vanity box in our bathroom for my wife's things but I wouldn't start calling the faucet a vanity.

 

[GoesStation]

In American English, a vanity is a cabinet for a bathroom sink. Fittings associated with it use "vanity" as an attributive noun: vanity mirror, vanity light,​ etc. These are the usual, accepted terms for these items.

 

[andrewg927]

You are right. I have heard that before. I usually refer to it as a sink cabinet. I don't typically use the word "vanity" but it is in use.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd use "vanity unit" in BrE.

 

[Meja]

Is a vanity case a bag (or a case) used only for keeping make-up or can this word also be used as a general term for a bag in which we carry make-up, a toothbrush, a bar of soap, cosmetics, etc. when we are travelling?

 

[andrewg927]

Is a vanity case a bag (or a case) used only for keeping make-up or can this word also be used as a general term for a bag in which we carry make-up, a toothbrush, a bar of soap, cosmetics, etc. when we are travelling?

I would call it a toiletry bag.

 

[Meja]

I would call it a toiletry bag.

"Vanity case" was the first word I was taught to describe this sort of bags, but I am not sure if it is used only for make-up and if it is used only by women.
Can we also use cosmetic bag and toilet bag as general terms (used by both sexes and for all types of cosmetics)?