The Good Doctor is a British medical drama television series that premiered on the ABC network in the United States in 2017. The show is based on a South Korean drama series of the same name and is developed by David Shore. The show follows the story of a young autistic surgeon named Shaun Murphy, played by Freddie Highmore, as he navigates the challenges of working in a hospital and interacting with his colleagues.
One of the standout features of The Good Doctor is the use of British English in the show. The show’s British roots are evident not only in the language used by the characters but also in the settings and cultural references that are woven into the story.
British English is a distinct dialect of the English language that is spoken in the United Kingdom and other parts of the Commonwealth. There are many differences between British English and American English, including differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Some of the most notable differences are discussed below.
Vocabulary
One of the most noticeable differences between British English and American English is the vocabulary used. There are many words that are used in British English that are not commonly used in American English, and vice versa.
For example, in British English, a person might use the word “lorry” instead of “truck,” “lift” instead of “elevator,” or “biscuit” instead of “cookie.” Similarly, in American English, a person might use the word “gasoline” instead of “petrol,” “apartment” instead of “flat,” or “fries” instead of “chips.”
In The Good Doctor, the characters use a variety of British English words and phrases, such as “bloody,” “mate,” and “cheers.” These words are often used in a casual or informal context and help to create a sense of authenticity and realism in the show.
Grammar
Another difference between British English and American English is the grammar used. While the basic rules of grammar are the same in both dialects, there are some notable differences in the way that certain words and phrases are used.
For example, in British English, it is common to use the present perfect tense to describe actions that have occurred in the recent past. This means that a person might say “I have just eaten” instead of “I just ate.” In American English, however, the simple past tense is more commonly used.
Pronunciation
Finally, there are also differences in the way that words are pronounced in British English and American English. One of the most noticeable differences is in the pronunciation of vowels.
For example, in British English, the vowel sound in the word “dance” is pronounced with a shorter, sharper sound than in American English. Similarly, the vowel sound in the word “bath” is pronounced with a shorter, sharper sound in British English than in American English.