Pretty little Italy -T(flap -T)
Pretty, little Italy = Flap -T explanation
In words like pretty, little, and Italy, the -T sounds like a quick -D, with the stress BEFORE it.
The vast majority of words with a -T or -TT in the middle sound like a -D. Middle sounds like little, muddy sounds like nutty, Betty sounds like Eddie, city sounds like giddy. For now, remember the STRESS is always before the -T. STRESS is shown in uppercase letters.
MEtal = MEdal
PEtal = PEdal
LAtter = LAdder
BEtting = BEdding
RAted = RAIded
COAting = COding
WAIting = WAding
**We do NOT use a flap -t when there is an -N syllable after the -T. Here we use the Manhattan -T(glottal stop -T) like in SEN(t)ence, imPOR(t)ant, CO(tt)on, KI(tt)en, MOUN(t)ain, LA(t)in. Notice that there is an -N syllable after each of these -Ts, and it does not matter which vowel is used. an, en, in, on, ain, etc. Also notice that I label stop -T in parenthesis for these materials. The Manhattan -T is NOT silent, it is “swallowed” or like a “controlled hiccup.”
**We do NOT use a flap -T when -T prepares the stress(comes after) in words like inTENT, aTTACH, reTAIN, proTECT, rouTINE, phoTOGrapher, poTENtial.
Later in the course, we will go down the rabbit hole with all the different -T sounds and its combinations. Mastering the many -T sounds makes you sound quintessential American.