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Servant is a television series that premiered on Apple TV+ in November 2019. Created by Tony Basgallop and executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, the series tells the story of a Philadelphia couple who hire a nanny to care for their baby after a tragedy in their family. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the nanny and the family are not who they seem to be, and the audience is taken on a thrilling journey through the complexities of their relationships.
Creator- Tony Basgallop
Stars- Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free
Country of origin- United States
Language- English
One of the most interesting aspects of Servant is the way that it explores the complexities of British English. The series features a predominantly British cast, and the dialogue is rich with idioms, slang, and accents that are specific to the British Isles. In this article, we will take a closer look at the use of British English in Servant and how it adds to the overall atmosphere of the show.
Accents and Dialects
One of the most noticeable aspects of British English in Servant is the variety of accents and dialects that are used. The show features characters from different regions of the United Kingdom, and each character has a distinct way of speaking. For example, the nanny, Leanne Grayson, is from northern England and speaks with a distinctive accent that is common in that region. Her accent is characterized by its long vowels and its use of the “u” sound in words like “just” and “us.”
Similarly, Sean and Dorothy Turner, the couple who hire Leanne as their nanny, have distinct accents that are indicative of their backgrounds. Sean, who is a chef, has a slight Scottish accent that is reflective of his time spent cooking in Scotland. Dorothy, who is a news anchor, speaks with a more neutral British accent that is typical of the southern part of England.
Slang and Idioms
Another way that Servant explores the complexities of British English is through its use of slang and idioms. Slang is a type of informal language that is used by a specific group of people and can be difficult for outsiders to understand. Idioms are phrases that have a meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. Both slang and idioms are common in British English and are used extensively throughout the series.
For example, in one episode, Leanne tells Sean that she needs to “get sorted” before she can help him with his problem. “Get sorted” is a common phrase in British English that means to get organized or to get things in order. In another episode, Dorothy uses the phrase “chop chop” to urge someone to hurry up. This phrase is derived from Chinese pidgin English and is commonly used in British English to indicate that someone needs to move quickly.
The use of slang and idioms in Servant adds to the authenticity of the show and helps to create a sense of place. The characters in the show are all from different parts of the United Kingdom, and their use of language reflects their backgrounds and experiences.
Grammar and Syntax
Finally, Servant explores the complexities of British English through its use of grammar and syntax. British English differs from American English in a number of ways, and the show takes advantage of these differences to create a unique atmosphere.
For example, in one episode, Sean asks Leanne if she has “got the time.” In American English, this phrase would be “Do you have the time?” The use of “got” instead of “have” is a common grammatical difference between the two languages. Similarly, in another episode, Dorothy uses the phrase “shall we” instead of “should we” when suggesting a course of action. This is a common syntactical difference between British English and American English.
