La gallina che non razzola rimane affamata

English translation: The hen that doesn't scratch about for food remains hungry

16:25 Feb 12, 2017
Italian to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Folklore
Italian term or phrase: La gallina che non razzola rimane affamata
TRADIZIONE E STORIA

La gallina che non razzola rimane affamata

Miglierina è ideale punto di partenza per visitare i luoghi della cultura calabra e perfetto punto di arrivo per scoprire le antiche tradizioni artistiche locali.

sito web, città di Miglierina (Calabria). Ci sono alcuni proverbi calabresi all'interno del sito. Questo è presente nella sezione Tradizione e storia
franzine
Italy
English translation:The hen that doesn't scratch about for food remains hungry
Explanation:
Literal translation.

razzolare = scratch (in the ground)
Selected response from:

Patrick Hopkins
Italy
Local time: 09:18
Grading comment
thanks, very helpful!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1The early bird catches the worm
Lisa Jane
3 +1The hen that doesn't scratch about for food remains hungry
Patrick Hopkins
2The squeaky wheel gets the grease
JohnMcDove
Summary of reference entries provided
Context
philgoddard

  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
The hen that doesn't scratch about for food remains hungry


Explanation:
Literal translation.

razzolare = scratch (in the ground)

Patrick Hopkins
Italy
Local time: 09:18
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
thanks, very helpful!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  writeaway: the idea is to provide an idiomatic English equivalent. I've never heard of the saying you've posted.
35 mins
  -> Yes, I didn't think there was an equivalent. Lisa Jane's is very roughly equivalent but not entirely....

agree  philgoddard: We're not looking for an equivalent. I would do a literal translation as you have, and a short explanation in brackets (see my Context entry).
8 hrs
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53 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
The early bird catches the worm


Explanation:
a rough alternative
-if the bird doesn't make an effort and get up early it remains hungry just like the lazy hen

Lisa Jane
Italy
Local time: 09:18
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ItalianItalian
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  JohnMcDove: The basic idea is there. :-)
1 hr
  -> ;)

neutral  philgoddard: No, unfortunately this doesn't work when you see the wider context.
7 hrs
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
The squeaky wheel gets the grease


Explanation:
Ideally one would have to find a "hen" saying, but the general idea that one has to do something to get something.

It reminds me the song, "Chi no lavora..."

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Note added at 2 hrs (2017-02-12 19:05:46 GMT)
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Ah, this one may work better for your context, (even if not exact or literal)

"It is not the hen that cackles the most that lay the most eggs."


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Note added at 2 hrs (2017-02-12 19:08:22 GMT)
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Hungry ROOSTER never cackles when he scratches up a worm.

https://books.google.com/books?id=AbJ1tVGmiTgC&pg=RA1-PA705&...

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Note added at 2 hrs (2017-02-12 19:13:47 GMT)
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What about this one,

"He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens"

While these English idioms are not "exact" in conveying the meaning, at least, keep the "hen/rooster" theme, and sound folk to me (being a Spaniard).

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Note added at 2 hrs (2017-02-12 19:19:22 GMT)
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He that comes first to the hill, may sit where he will. (Fergusson nº 52.4)
(First come, first served.)

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Note added at 3 hrs (2017-02-12 19:32:49 GMT)
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A hungry louse bites hard.

I like this one! -- Hungry rooster don't cackle w'en he fine a wum.

http://quotes.yourdictionary.com/author/joel-chandler-harris...

Cut your own loaf and you will never be hungry

JohnMcDove
United States
Local time: 01:18
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
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Reference comments


8 hrs peer agreement (net): +1
Reference: Context

Reference information:
It's important to see this in context, because it doesn't make sense otherwise.

The website has three proverbs in dialect and translated into standard Italian underneath. Each links to one page of the site describing packages on a particular theme. This one links to the Tradition and History page.

The idea is that you can't understand the region unless you dig beneath the surface.


    Reference: http://www.visitmiglierina.com/
philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
agree  JohnMcDove: Good point. In that case, yes, the literal translation would do!
3 hrs
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