well, when I studied phonetics and phonology I was taught that we have to accept in general there is no single way of saying something. In terms of pronunciation, and as you are a non native you should "stick" to a variety. What I �ve found is that most americans prefer /i:/ but they use both pronunciations interchangeably.

 

As far as I know, British speakers also use both interchangeably, but /ai/ is used more by the middle classes. The /ai/ pronunciation seems slightly more �intellectual � (and Americans think to use /ai/ exclusively seems to be more �pretentious �...)

 

So, as I can see... it is just a matter of preference...

 

I hope you find it useful!

 

Have a nice day!!! Tricia

As a native English speaker, I use them interchangeably. As the Louis Armstrong song goes:

You say either and I say either,

You say neither and I say neither
Either, either,

Neither, neither,

Let �s call the whole thing off.

 

Let �s just agree to differ!

Let �s Call The Whole Thing Off

Lyrics by Ira Gershwin; Music by George Gershwin

Things have come to a pretty pass
Our romance is growing flat,
For you like this and the other
While I go for this and that,

Goodness knows what the end will be
Oh I don �t know where I �m at
It looks as if we two will never be one
Something must be done:

You say either and I say either,
You say neither and I say neither
Either, either Neither, neither
Let �s call the whole thing off.

You like potato and I like potahto
You like tomato and I like tomahto
Potato, potahto, Tomato, tomahto.
Let �s call the whole thing off

But oh, if we call the whole thing off, then we must part
And oh, if we ever part, then that might break my heart

So if you like pyjamas and I like pyjahmas,
I �ll wear pyjamas and give up pyajahmas
For we know we need each other so we
Better call the whole thing off
Let �s call the whole thing off.

You say laughter and I say larfter
You say after and I say arfter
Laughter, larfter after arfter
Let �s call the whole thing off,

You like vanilla and I like vanella
You saspiralla, and I saspirella
Vanilla vanella chocolate strawberry
Let �s call the whole thing off

But oh if we call the whole thing of then we must part
And oh, if we ever part, then that might break my heart

So if you go for oysters and I go for ersters
I �ll order oysters and cancel the ersters
For we know we need each other so we
Better call the calling off off,
Let �s call the whole thing off.

I say father, and you say pater,
I saw mother and you say mater
Pater, mater Uncle, auntie
Let �s call the whole thing off.

I like bananas and you like banahnahs
I say Havana and I get Havahnah
Bananas, banahnahs Havana, Havahnah
Go your way, I �ll go mine

So if I go for scallops and you go for lobsters,
So all right no contest we �ll order lobster
For we know we need each other so we
Better call the calling off off,
Let �s call the whole thing off.

Gershwin, George & Ira. "Let �s Call The Whole Thing Off." George and Ira Gershwin Songbook, disc 10. [From the Film: "Shall We Dance", 1936.

 It �s also good to explain differences to students.