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Gesellen

English translation: journeymen

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Gesellen
English translation:journeymen
Entered by: Jeannie Graham

21:16 Apr 30, 2002
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary
German term or phrase: Gesellen
Ottfried Preußler's children's book: The Satanic Mill (Krabat)

The miller has 11 "Gesellen".
As far as I know, "Gesellen" are no longer apprentices, they are employees. But how do I refer to them in this old story. They are not really trainees, but employees or workers doesn't sound ideal either. Has anyone any suggestions?

"...die Müller und seine elf Gesellen."
"...einmal im Jahr das Leben eines seiner Gesellen opfert, um selbst weiterleben zu dürfen."
Jeannie Graham
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:07
journeymen
Explanation:
that is the intermediate step from apprentice to master, at least in the USA.

Selected response from:

jccantrell
United States
Local time: 08:07
Grading comment
thank you to everybody for all your help
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +7journeymen
jccantrell
4 +1Just adding another reference for jc's answer
Kim Metzger
5The miller and his 11 craftsmen
Ursula Peter-Czichi
4"The miller and his eleven blokes, who once a year sacrifices the life of one of his craftsmen ...
brute (X)


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
journeymen


Explanation:
that is the intermediate step from apprentice to master, at least in the USA.



jccantrell
United States
Local time: 08:07
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 4618
Grading comment
thank you to everybody for all your help

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Eckhard Boehle: that's right
7 mins
agree  swisstell
10 mins
agree  Kim Metzger: A wonderful tradition that is still alive today: the travelling journeyman
12 mins
agree  NGK
13 mins
agree  gangels (X): or: skilled helpers or helpmates
2 hrs
agree  jerrie
11 hrs
agree  Andrea Buttgen
12 hrs
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28 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Just adding another reference for jc's answer


Explanation:
See site below


    Reference: http://www.pop-up.org/jobs/handicraft.htm
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 09:07
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 22192

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  jccantrell: Thanks, Kim!
6 mins
  -> De nada
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
The miller and his 11 craftsmen


Explanation:
"Gesellen" are skilled workers. Your story is set in a time when young people would start to work at age 14. Most of them would become apprentices to learn a trade. That, in most cases, took 3 years. After that, there was a "Gesellenpruefung" and the young "Lehrling" would advance to "Geselle". This scheme applied to bricklayers, blacksmiths and builders, later also to electricians and mechanics, not to clerical workers or farmers. The system still exists in Germany. To get the diploma as a craftsman is still coveted and financially valuable.
Like Kim said, the next step is to become "Meister".

Craftsman is just another possibility.

HTH

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2002-04-30 23:25:48 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Indeed, in the old times, these craftsmen would travel around to learn to make their way in the world. The book \"Lehr- und Wanderjahre\" gives a good impression of this custom.
\"Geselle\" is, however, a professional status that does not require \"wandern\", that is walking around the country on foot, having the wind blow around one\'s nose.

Ursula Peter-Czichi
United States
Local time: 11:07
PRO pts in pair: 242
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13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
"The miller and his eleven blokes, who once a year sacrifices the life of one of his craftsmen ...


Explanation:
.. to be allowed to live on"

Perhaps this wording might be more befitting of an old story!

brute (X)
PRO pts in pair: 255
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