Why the title?

They call him the English Patient because he spoke English with an English accent. Also the character of Almasy didn't believe in nationalistic labels, so I think the title had something to do with that too, as in the title is sort of ironic.

He was dubbed "The English Patient" because he was discovered with no identity or memory, but could speak perfect English. I wouldn't agree that it was with an English accent - there is clearly a foreign hint to it. In any case, it is ironic because in the film he was foiled in keeping his one promise to Katherine (I won't do spoilers) because he was seen as foreign, thus an enemy, and was arrested and taken off to prison. As a result he then made common cause with the Germans. He saw it as ironic because, when he is picked up as a nameless burn victim, by the English, he is dubbed, the English patient.

Although Hungarian by birth, because he has lived without government identification, his accent prompts the authorities around him to perceive an English affiliation and so refer to him as the English Patient. This is certainly ironic given that he was earlier arrested for spying against the British. 🐭