At the beginning(at the start or commencement of something [æt ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ]), when(at the time that; during the period that [wɪn]) the laws of Animal Farm(referring to the rules and principles established in the fictional Animal Farm [ðə lɔz əv ˈænəməl fɑrm]) were first formulated(were initially created or expressed in a systematic way [wər fərst ˈfɔrmjəˌleɪtɪd]), the retiring age(the age at which one stops working or is eligible for retirement benefits [ðə rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ eɪʤ]) had been fixed(had been determined or decided upon [hæd bɪn fɪkst]) for horses and pigs(specifying the animals to which the following age applies [fər ˈhɔrsɪz ənd pɪgz]) at twelve(the age of 12 years [æt twɛlv]), for cows(specifying the animals to which the following age applies [fər kaʊz]) at fourteen(the age of 14 years [æt ˌfɔrˈtin]), for dogs(specifying the animals to which the following age applies [fər dɔgz]) at nine(the age of 9 years [æt naɪn]), for sheep(specifying the animals to which the following age applies [fər ʃip]) at seven(the age of 7 years [æt ˈsɛvən]) and for hens and geese(specifying the animals to which the following age applies [ənd fər hɛnz ənd gis]) at five(the age of 5 years [æt faɪv]). Liberal old-age pensions(generous retirement benefits for elderly animals [ˈlɪˌbərəl old-age ˈpɛnʃənz]) had been agreed upon(had been decided and accepted by all parties [hæd bɪn əˈgrid əˈpɑn]). As yet(up to this point in time; so far [ɛz jɛt]) no animal(not a single animal [noʊ ˈænəməl]) had actually retired(had in reality stopped working [hæd ˈæˌkʧuəli rɪˈtaɪrd]) on pension(receiving retirement benefits [ɔn ˈpɛnʃən]), but of late(but recently; in recent times [bət əv leɪt]) the subject(the topic or matter being discussed [ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt]) had been discussed(had been talked about [hæd bɪn dɪˈskəst]) more and more(increasingly; to a greater extent [mɔr ənd mɔr]). Now that(because; since [naʊ ðət]) the small field beyond the orchard(a specific area of land located past the fruit trees [ðə smɔl fild bɪɔnd ðə ˈɔrʧərd]) had been set aside(had been reserved or designated for a specific purpose [hæd bɪn sɛt əˈsaɪd]) for barley(for growing barley, a type of grain [fər ˈbɑrli]), it was rumoured(it was being said or spread as a rumor [ɪt wɑz rumoured]) that a comer of the large pasture(a specific section of the big field where animals graze [ðət ə ˈkəmər əv ðə lɑrʤ ˈpæsʧər]) was to be fenced off(was going to be separated by a fence [wɑz tɪ bi fɛnst ɔf]) and turned into(and transformed into [ənd tərnd ˈɪntu]) a grazing-ground(an area where animals can feed on grass [ə grazing-ground]) for superannuated animals(for animals that are too old to work [fər superannuated ˈænəməlz]). For a horse(in the case of a horse [fər ə hɔrs]), it was said(it was reported or believed [ɪt wɑz sɛd]), the pension(the retirement benefits [ðə ˈpɛnʃən]) would be(would consist of [wʊd bi]) five pounds of corn(a specific amount of grain, weighing five pounds [faɪv paʊnz əv kɔrn]) a day(per day [ə deɪ]) and, in winter(during the winter season [ənd ɪn ˈwɪntər]), fifteen pounds of hay(a specific amount of dried grass, weighing fifteen pounds [ˈfɪfˈtin paʊnz əv heɪ]), with a carrot(along with a carrot [wɪθ ə ˈkɛrət]) or possibly(or perhaps; maybe [ər ˈpɑsəbli]) an apple(an apple fruit [ən ˈæpəl]) on public holidays(on days that are officially recognized as holidays [ɔn ˈpəblɪk ˈhɑləˌdeɪz]). Boxer's twelfth birthday(the anniversary of Boxer's birth, marking his twelfth year [ˈbɑksərz twɛlfθ ˈbərθˌdeɪ]) was due(was expected or scheduled to happen [wɑz du]) in the late summer(towards the end of the summer season [ɪn ðə leɪt ˈsəmər]) of the following year(in the year after the current year [əv ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ jɪr]).
Meanwhile(in the intervening period of time; at the same time [ˈminˌwaɪl]) life(the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death [laɪf]) was(past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) hard(difficult to do or accomplish; demanding great effort or skill [hɑrd]). The(definite article, referring to a specific winter [ðə]) winter(the coldest season of the year [ˈwɪntər]) was(past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) as cold as(a comparative phrase indicating a similar degree of coldness [ɛz koʊld ɛz]) the last one(referring to the previous winter [ðə læst wən]) had been(past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [hæd bɪn]), and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) food(any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink or that plants absorb in order to maintain life and growth [fud]) was(past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) even(used to emphasize something [ˈivɪn]) shorter(less in quantity or amount [ˈʃɔrtər]). Once again(another time; repeatedly [wəns əˈgɛn]) all(every member or individual component of [ɔl]) rations(a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime [ˈræʃənz]) were(past tense plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]) reduced(made smaller or less in amount, degree, or size [rɪˈdust]) except(not including; other than [ɪkˈsɛpt]) those of(referring to the rations belonging to [ðoʊz əv]) the pigs(domesticated animals, often used to represent greed or privilege [ðə pɪgz]) and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) the dogs(domesticated animals, often used to represent loyalty or servitude [ðə dɔgz]). A(indefinite article, introducing a singular noun [ə]) too-rigid(excessively inflexible or strict [too-rigid]) equality(the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities [ɪkˈwɑləti]) in rations(referring to the distribution of food portions [ɪn ˈræʃənz]), Squealer(a character's name, often associated with propaganda and manipulation [squealer]) explained(gave a reason for or justification of; clarified [ɪkˈspleɪnd]), would have been(conditional perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a hypothetical situation in the past [wʊd hæv bɪn]) contrary(opposite in nature, direction, or meaning [ˈkɑntrɛri]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) the principles(a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior [ðə ˈprɪnsəpəlz]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) Animalism(the name of the animals' political philosophy, analogous to communism [animalism]). In any case(regardless of what has just been said; in any event [ɪn ˈɛni keɪs]) he(referring to Squealer [hi]) had no difficulty(experienced no problem or obstacle [hæd noʊ ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti]) in proving(demonstrating the truth or existence of something by evidence or argument [ɪn ˈpruvɪŋ]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) the other animals(referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) they(referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]) were not(past tense negative of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər nɑt]) in reality(in fact; actually [ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti]) short of food(lacking an adequate supply of food [ʃɔrt əv fud]), whatever(no matter what [ˌwəˈtɛvər]) the appearances(the way someone or something seems [ðə əˈpɪrənsəz]) might be(indicating a possibility [maɪt bi]). For the time being(temporarily; for now [fər ðə taɪm biɪŋ]), certainly(definitely; without doubt [ˈsərtənli]), it(referring to the situation [ɪt]) had been found(passive voice, indicating that something was discovered or determined [hæd bɪn faʊnd]) necessary(required to be done, achieved, or present; essential [ˈnɛsəˌsɛri]) to make(to perform an action [tɪ meɪk]) a readjustment(a change to something to correct or improve it [ə riəˈʤəstmənt]) of rations(referring to the distribution of food portions [əv ˈræʃənz]) (Squealer(a character's name, often associated with propaganda and manipulation [squealer]) always(at all times; on all occasions [ˈɔlˌweɪz]) spoke(past tense of 'to speak', to say something [spoʊk]) of it(referring to the readjustment [əv ɪt]) as(used to indicate the name or description of something [ɛz]) a ‘readjustment’, never(at no time; on no occasion [ˈnɛvər]) as(used to indicate the name or description of something [ɛz]) a ‘reduction’), but(conjunction, introducing a contrasting statement [bət]) in comparison(the act or instance of comparing [ɪn kəmˈpɛrəsən]) with(expressing the relationship between two things [wɪθ]) the days(a period of time [ðə deɪz]) of Jones(referring to the time when Mr. Jones was in charge of the farm [əv ʤoʊnz]) the improvement(an act of improving or the state of being improved [ðə ˌɪmˈpruvmənt]) was(past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) enormous(extremely large or great [ɪˈnɔrmɪs]). Reading out(announcing or reciting aloud [ˈrɛdɪŋ aʊt]) the figures(numerical data [ðə ˈfɪgjərz]) in(expressing location or position [ɪn]) a shrill(high-pitched and piercing [ə ʃrɪl]) rapid(happening very quickly [ˈræpɪd]) voice(the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song [vɔɪs]), he(referring to Squealer [hi]) proved(demonstrated the truth or existence of something by evidence or argument [pruvd]) to them(referring to the other animals [tɪ ðɛm]) in detail(item by item; thoroughly [ɪn ˈditeɪl]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) they(referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]) had(past tense of 'to have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]) more oats(a type of grain, implying a greater quantity than before [mɔr oʊts]), more hay(dried grass, implying a greater quantity than before [mɔr heɪ]), more turnips(a root vegetable, implying a greater quantity than before [mɔr ˈtərnəps]) than(used to make a comparison [ðən]) they(referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]) had had(past perfect tense of 'to have', indicating possession or experience in the past [hæd hæd]) in Jones's day(referring to the time when Mr. Jones was in charge of the farm [ɪn ˈʤoʊnzɪz deɪ]), that(introducing a clause [ðət]) they(referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]) worked(past tense of 'to work', to exert effort [wərkt]) shorter hours(less time spent working [ˈʃɔrtər aʊərz]), that(introducing a clause [ðət]) their(belonging to them [ðɛr]) drinking water(water suitable for drinking [ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ ˈwɔtər]) was(past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) of better quality(superior in standard or grade [əv ˈbɛtər kˈwɑləti]), that(introducing a clause [ðət]) they(referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]) lived(past tense of 'to live', to remain alive [lɪvd]) longer(for a greater duration [ˈlɔŋgər]), that(introducing a clause [ðət]) a larger proportion(a greater percentage or fraction [ə ˈlɑrʤər prəˈpɔrʃən]) of their(belonging to them [əv ðɛr]) young ones(offspring; young animals [jəŋ wənz]) survived(continued to live or exist [sərˈvaɪvd]) infancy(the state or period of being an infant [ˈɪnfənsi]), and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) they(referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]) had(past tense of 'to have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]) more straw(dried stalks of grain, used for bedding [mɔr strɔ]) in their stalls(enclosed or partitioned areas for animals [ɪn ðɛr stɔlz]) and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) suffered(experienced or underwent something bad or unpleasant [ˈsəfərd]) less(a smaller amount of [lɛs]) from fleas(small, wingless, parasitic insects [frəm fliz]). The animals(referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðə ˈænəməlz]) believed(past tense of 'to believe', to accept something as true [bɪˈlivd]) every word(all that was said [ˈɛvəri wərd]) of it(referring to Squealer's claims [əv ɪt]). Truth to tell(to be honest; in reality [truθ tɪ tɛl]), Jones(the former owner of the farm, representing the old regime [ʤoʊnz]) and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) all(everything [ɔl]) he(referring to Jones [hi]) stood for(represented or symbolized [stʊd fər]) had almost(nearly; very close to [hæd ˈɔlˌmoʊst]) faded out(gradually disappeared [ˈfeɪdɪd aʊt]) of(expressing separation or removal [əv]) their memories(the ability to remember past experiences [ðɛr ˈmɛməriz]). They(referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]) knew(past tense of 'to know', to be aware of something [nu]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) life(the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death [laɪf]) nowadays(at the present time; in the current era [ˈnaʊəˌdeɪz]) was(past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) harsh(cruel or severe [hɑrʃ]) and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) bare(without any additions or trimmings; basic or essential [bɛr]), that(introducing a clause [ðət]) they(referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]) were(past tense plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]) often(frequently; many times [ˈɔfən]) hungry(feeling or displaying the need for food [ˈhəŋgri]) and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) often(frequently; many times [ˈɔfən]) cold(of or at a low or relatively low temperature [koʊld]), and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) they(referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]) were(past tense plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]) usually(under normal conditions; generally [ˈjuʒəwəli]) working(exerting effort to produce or accomplish something [ˈwərkɪŋ]) when(at or during the time that [wɪn]) they(referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]) were not(past tense negative plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər nɑt]) asleep(in a state of sleep [əsˈlip]). But(conjunction, introducing a contrasting statement [bət]) doubtless(certainly; without doubt [ˈdaʊtləs]) it(referring to life [ɪt]) had been(past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [hæd bɪn]) worse(of poorer quality or lower standard [wərs]) in the old days(referring to the time when Mr. Jones was in charge of the farm [ɪn ðə oʊld deɪz]). They(referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]) were glad(feeling pleasure or happiness [wər glæd]) to believe(to accept something as true [tɪ bɪˈliv]) so(in this way; to such an extent [soʊ]). Besides(in addition to; moreover [ˌbiˈsaɪdz]), in those days(referring to the time when Mr. Jones was in charge of the farm [ɪn ðoʊz deɪz]) they(referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]) had been(past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [hæd bɪn]) slaves(a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them [sleɪvz]) and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) now(at the present time or moment [naʊ]) they(referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]) were(past tense plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]) free(not under the control or power of someone else; able to act or think as one wants [fri]), and(conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]) that(referring to their freedom [ðət]) made(past tense of 'to make', to cause something to be or become [meɪd]) all the difference(a significant change or effect [ɔl ðə ˈdɪfərəns]), as(in the same way that [ɛz]) Squealer(a character's name, often associated with propaganda and manipulation [squealer]) did not fail(certainly did [dɪd nɑt feɪl]) to point out(to draw attention to something [tɪ pɔɪnt aʊt]).