What is an Imker?
>..........
>In German there are three words for beekeeper:
>Imker, Bienenzuechter and Bienenvater. I believe the words are used in
>different part in the German speaking countries.
 
>No German speaking beekeeper in BEE-L to explain further?
 
 
I will give it a try. Even though my native language is Swiss German I
consider this close enough to answer the question.
 
The word "Imker" usually refers to a normal beekeeper. "Bienenzuechter",
however, refers to somebody that also rears honeybee queens.
The word "Bienenvater" is an expression used in the old days and litterally
means bee father. I would guess a nowadays politically incorrect term for a
bekeeper!
In order to balance the impression I must say that there is a beekeeping
journal out by the name of "Bienenmuetterchen" which translates into bee
mother or "The Motherly Beekeeper".
 
Hope this answers the question.
 
Best regards
 
Hans
 
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Hans-Ulrich THOMAS. Beekeeper & collector of books about:
 
- bees and beekeeping
- ants (yes these small little buggers!)
- nature printing
 
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CompuServe: 100045,2556
Fax: ++41 1 633 10 77
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