Isn’t it frustrating when something that should be simple turns out to be surprisingly difficult? Farm animals, animal noises, the things that we learn in nursery school in our mother tongue, become illusive. Are we really at the pre-nursery stage in our studies of the Italian language?

Not really. The problem, as I so often say, is context. And that’s one of the reasons why it’s so hard to learn a language from books or in classes. When you begin learning a foreign language you tend to focus on the ‘nuts and bolts’ that hold it all together, and the essential vocabulary that will help you get by in a limited set of scenarios.
My guess is that most visitors to Italy spend most of their time in towns, cities, museums, galleries, bars and restaurants, vero? But towns and cities are only a tiny part of what Italy has to offer. With some of the most varied and stunning landscapes in Europe, Italy is also a nature lover’s paradise.

So, how about expanding your vocabulary into new areas? My little farm story/quiz was aimed at helping you achieve this by putting you in a new situation. How did you get on? Let’s find out shall we?

Giorgio was awoken every morning at around six fifteen by the braying of Clara, his donkey.
Ogni mattina Giorgio era svegliato verso le sei e quindici dal ragliare di Clara, la sua asina (alternative: il raglio).

Clara had taken on the official role of farm alarm clock shortly after Napoleone the cockerel met his end in the fangs and claws of a crafty neighbourhood fox.
Clara aveva adottato il ruolo ufficiale di sveglia della fattoria poco dopo che il gallo Napoleone aveva incontrato la sua fine fra le zanne e gli artigli di una furba volpe dei dintorni.

But Clara’s was only the first of many voices to be heard as the little farm arose from its slumber
Ma quella di Clara era solo la prima delle tante voci che si sentivano mentre la piccola fattoria si alzava dal suo sonno

Nero the horse, who shared a stable with Clara, began to whinny in harmony with her braying, if such a thing is possible …
Il cavallo Nero, che condivideva una stalla con Clara, cominciava a nitrire in armonia con il suo ragliare, se una cosa del genere è possibile …

https://youtu.be/YgFLaCx11Zg

… and the combined ’racket’ was enough to provoke the herd of cows gathered together in the dewy grass of buttercup meadow beside the lazy brook.
… e tutto questo fracasso bastava per provocare la mandria di mucche radunate assieme nell’erba rugiadosa del prato dei ranuncoli vicino al pigro ruscello.

The mooing of the cows awoke the sleepy flock of sheep up on the hillside above the church
Il muggito delle mucche svegliava il gregge insonnolito di pecore sulla collina sopra la chiesa (alternative: il muggire; il gregge assonnato di pecore, il gregge sonnolento di pecore)

… and the bleating of the sheep sent the flock of geese, who were dozing on the banks of the pond, scattering in all direction.
… e il belare delle pecore faceva sparpagliare lo stormo di oche, che sonnecchiavano sulle sponde dello stagno, in tutte le direzioni. (alternative: sulle sponde del laghetto)

To most people, this cacophony would have been unbearable, but to Giorgio the farmer it was the sweetest music in the world.
Per la maggior parte della gente, questa cacofonia sarebbe stata insopportabile, ma per il contadino Giorgio era la musica più dolce di tutto il mondo. (alternative: Per la maggior parte delle persone)

Giorgio stretched, yawned, scratched his stubbly chin and united his voice to the farm choir …
Giorgio si stirava, sbadigliava, si grattava il mento ispido e univa la sua voce al coro della fattoria …

GOOD MORNING FARM! he sung in the operatic voice that he’d learned from his extensive collection of Pavarotti records.
BUONGIORNO FATTORIA! cantava con la voce impostata che aveva imparato dalla sua vasta raccolta di dischi di Pavarotti. (alternative: sua enorme raccolta …)

Giorgio had always liked this part of the day down on Chestnut Tree Farm … but then again, he liked every part of the day!
A Giorgio era sempre piaciuta questa parte del giorno giù alla Fattoria del Castagno … ma d’altronde, a lui piacevano tutte le parti del giorno! (alternative: A Giorgio gli era sempre piaciuto quel periodo del giorno giù alla Fattoria del Castagno … ma d’altra parte, gli piacevano tutti i periodi del giorno!)

Links: Italian Quiz – September 2015 – Gli Animali
Down On The Farm In Italy

Now, let’s see who’s won themselves some beautiful kittens! And the winners are ……………… Serena and Geoff! WAIT … WHAT!!!!!