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 ************************************************************** Hans-Ulrich THOMAS. Beekeeper & collector of books about: - bees and beekeeping - ants (yes these small little buggers!) - nature printing e-mail: [log in to unmask] CompuServe: 100045,2556 Fax: ++41 1 633 10 77 **************************************************************