On Reading Medieval Celtic Manuscripts ☕ Tea Time: Celtic Studies

[@CookieScrat]

Honestly I can't blame you for the Tolkien thing, one of my main reasons for choosing Finland as my Erasmus destination for a semester was that I was a big fan of Nightwish, discovered Finnish through their songs and decided I loved the language and wanted to learn it x) (Also I'm a big fan of Tolkien's work too and it turns out that Quenya, the second elvish language, was inspired by Finnish... I like to tell myself that my love of Finnish was meant to be x) )

[@Woeschhuesli]

The fact that you did these studies and have a harp are part of the reason I subscribed to you! Had I had any idea back then (over 35 years ago) that there were studies like this, I would have been there like a shot - my main high school subjects in the UK were history, French and German and my parents are linguists, so it would have been pretty much predestined (and the only other schoolmate who had the same subjects went on to learn many languages, become a Dutch translator and has learnt Welsh so well they think he's mothertongue...! He's currently moving to Wales lol). But I don't think these studies were widely available then. My daughter (30) has always been a huge Celtic and LotR fan, learnt the harp and being more scientific, had planned to go into interdisciplinary archaeology, though had she known about this.... ;) In the end, I studied much later in life and did an open humanities/arts degree and my interest is purely a hobby. Always a keen historian, I'm currently totally absorbed in Max Adams' accounts of northern Britain 600-1000 AD which of course covers a lot of the same material that would be in Celtic studies, so highly recommend those - I had no idea English developed out of old Welsh, for instance (which is presumably also one of the reasons why you were studying middle Welsh...). For anyone else interested I can very much recommend the YT channel History with Hilbert, a young man (coincidentally half Frisian!) who is studying ASNAC (Anglo-Saxon Norse and Celtic Studies) at Cambridge UK and whose knowledge is amazing, great videos there on these subjects!! Utterly fascinating.

[@strawberry1025]

So interesting to listen to this. Here in Ireland most major Universities; Trinity, UCD etc, will have a degree course in Celtic Studies, Irish and Folklore but then we would....lol. I have to say the older I get the more I love that we have our own language. Very sadly here in Ireland years ago we were unwittingly taught to almost hate Irish in schools. It was taught badly and without translation, quite literally. We were somehow supposed to pick it up faster that way. This system works if you living and working in a new language where context and repeated experience bring sense to it, but not in a few hours a week at school. I used to be terrified in Irish class. I had no idea what anything meant and some teachers spoke in Kerry Irish, some in Donegal and the pronunciation would be completely different. The result is that I can now read Irish out loud beautifully but I have little idea what I'm saying. On the upside when I inter-railed around Europe with my friend Judy it was nice to speak the little Irish we did know to each other on the trains when we needed a private conversation. I now love my native Gaeilge and want to learn more. Fascinated to learn that some Scandinavian languages overlap with Irish. For instance 'go brea' in Irish and 'bra' in Swedish both mean 'good' and are pronounced the same way. Gosh I've ranted on. What a memory lane you opened up for me.....

[@Nariasan]

I remember studying the Mabinogi in my Medieval Folklore class. I loved it. My favourite tale was the one where the king turned two brothers into a deer and a doe as punishment, sends them away for a year and they come back with a foal that turns into a human child when crossing the threshold of the castle. But the brothers aren't done their punishment: the one turned into a deer gets turned into a she-wolf, and the one turned into a doe gets turned into a male wolf. They get sent off for another year to have another child. They have to do it a third time as boars. Then they are forgiven and they never speak of this again... I thought it was hilarious because I felt like an early example of twincest fanfiction.

[@Loepsie]

The fourth branch! I love them all honestly hahaha, so bizarre 😂

[@AmandaGreenman]

If I had known Celtic studies existed back in the early 2000s when I was in uni I would have been over in Europe studying it. :) This is so interesting, thank you! Like you I studied a bachelor's out of pure interest (art history - focusing on Gothic architecture and Dutch art mainly) and it has been surprisingly helpful and useful in my career ever since. Everyone always asks me "why" but it prepared me very well for a career later (even though that was not my original intention necessarily). Plus when I travel I always end up being the informal "tour guide" of the art/history of cultural sites etc. Visiting sites like Newgrange are high on my wishlist!

[@LyraSvalbard]

Love this, I'm doing Scandinavian Studies at the moment and it sounds very very similar! Studying philology, historical linguistics and Old Norse!

[@jeanieranson5221]

I never clicked on something so fast .. I learned my ancestors are from Ireland.. and I am all about learning anything celtic, Ireland.

[@diekje8728]

I study art history and archaeology in Brussels and every time I tell new people what I do i get stigmatized so hard, so these “why’s” are so relatable

[@Loepsie]

Who cares what it's for, IT'S FASCINATING 😍

[@whitalleys5893]

Love this. I studied art and art history and have been gainfully employee by the US government. I come from a working class family and they were mad at me for years for not getting a business degree or a nursing degree. No thanks! High five for actually learning liberal arts.

[@sweethanami94]

History and German literature and language student here. Always get asked what I can do with my degree or if want to pursue a career in teaching. After more than five years, I´m so tired of those questions...

[@diekje8728]

@@sweethanami94 Yes! Same! With the special addition of “do you want to work in a museum?” And of course!!! Indiana jones

[@CraftsyPenguin]

Exactly, Loepsie's reasoning made me smile gladly. We do this out of interest, not for the future jobs! I studied French, History and Art history in Prague and I can't get rid of my family's constant remarks that with all that I "ended up" out of those fields, not pursuing academic career (saddens my granny) or working in the fields (mum's dreamy image of a world travelling tourist guide). I just loved absorbing all the information! I had the hardest time writing theses, but I could sit and listen to fascinating facts all the time!

[@AuntBethanys]

That’s so interesting to hear that University there is all about learning! Here in the states the ONLY reason most people go is to get training in the field they want to work in. My daughter pursed a fine arts degree to become an art teacher. The goal here is almost always to get a job! I like the Dutch way better 😉

[@katherinemorelle7115]

I think it’s a rather sad thing, to regard further education as purely job training. It’s an issue we have in Australia as well. But it completely disregards all of the skills that a degree will teach you- a degree in anything, but especially a Bachelor of Arts. You learn how to read, how to think about the world in different ways, how to research, how to communicate. Your mind is opened up in so many ways that are useful to people personally, useful to any future jobs they may have, and useful to society generally. And yet, they’re derided as the “would you like fries with that” degrees. Never mind that I know in Australia at least, people with B.Arts have a lower unemployment rate than those who studied STEM. So it’s not even based on reality. Also, I think Arts (with its pretty intense focus on critical thinking), should be included in the acronym, and have it changed to STEAM.

[@AuntBethanys]

@@katherinemorelle7115 absolutely! Both my daughters chose trades rather than a degree. And they make 2x the money their friends make. (Both in medical field) so I’m 100 % down for STEM learning!!! I am homeschooling my son who is 10 and he is much more gifted in Math and Music so that is what we focus on most!

[@katherinemorelle7115]

@@AuntBethanys with my daughter, all I ask is that she tries when it comes to the academic stuff. She has the capability to pass, and that’s all I expect. But she has a wondrous talent and enthusiasm for anything artistic. She’s a very skilled drawer, she adores acting, and she has an innate musicality. That’s where she excels, and I’m happy for her that she has that. But I have said that she needs to keep up the other stuff, even if it isn’t as interesting to her, or doesn’t come as naturally. She wants to do a Fine Arts degree post high school (though that may change, she’s only 13), and I’m very supportive of that. But as I’ve said to her- she won’t be able to get in to that degree if she doesn’t pass high school. It’s a balancing act, I think. And as she’s rather lazy and unmotivated when it comes to anything she’s not already interested in, it can be quite the struggle to get her to do her schoolwork. I’m also okay if she decides she doesn’t want to do any University degree. I’m more than happy for her to do a trade, or to just do a job that supports her, and her art on the side, if that’s what she wants. But she still needs to pass high school, regardless of which path she chooses.

[@AuntBethanys]

@@katherinemorelle7115 I told my son the same! He has ADHD so it’s especially hard to get him to do English subjects. He likes history, science & math. We are Christians so he also does Biblical Studies and finds that interesting too. But getting him to study language arts is like pulling teeth 🥴 so we try to relate it to music or art. This term was poetry so he studied different song lyrics. For reading, I let him read whatever he wants so long as it’s grade appropriate. Things like that help. My husband and I are both musicians for a living and he’s already better at 10yo than my husband was at 20! So we will support his music, but I want to equip him to be able to do ANYTHING he wants.

[@Cecilia13241]

I wish the US appreciated the arts more. I love art and in Community College, I met with my counselor and he saw that I had taken a few art history courses, painting, drawing and composition, anthropology, etc. and he said, "well, you have the easy courses out of the way!". I think that comment kind of exemplifies what subjects the US deems of value (Science-based/degrees to prep you for medical careers, business, etc). :(

[@Taliesin2]

Hey, fellow celtologist from Marburg here, which is the only town in Germany where you can study celtic studies nowadays. (It's in the B.A. Historische Sprach-, Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaften) And it's pretty much still the same (at least here) from what you reported. I'm currently in the M.A. Celtic studies and I can tell you: If you found middle Irish hard, never look at early modern Irish :D Just thought I would do some advertising, because we are always happy to welcome new interested students :) (also the fee is even lower than in the Netherlands, at about 6-700€ per year) My Girlfriend (who will be finishing her B.A. in celtic studies soon) made me (and basically all other students in Marburg) aware of you and she was quite excited when she found out you did celtic studies as well :D (Also I chose my KZbin-Name before I started studying and don't want to compare myself to any Taliesin :D )

[@RineGee]

Liebe Grüße aus Gießen :)

[@wakethefoxup]

I didn't even know there was a program in Marburg, that is very cool!

[@sif_2799]

Hey, not quite true. You can also study Celtic Studies in Leipzig (and for some reason here they also say it's the only place in Germany where you can do that 🤔)

[@Taliesin2]

@@sif_2799That's cool to hear, I mean I've heard that they were looking for a scholar of old Irish law in Leipzig but I did not know that you could really study it there, although, and correct me if I'm wrong, but from what information I could gather from their Homepage, it is only old and modern Irish and no Welsh, and also no Masters.

[@sif_2799]

@@Taliesin2 You can learn Welsh but there's no exam, so it's not part of the module. The Bachelor's degree includes Old and Modern Irish, Celtic culture, history, Irish literature and comparative grammar/phonetics of celtic languages. Not sure about the master because it's not mentioned anywhere but one of my teachers said sth about it 🤔

[@schwaben4120]

OMG I studied ancient greek and latin in high school and I can relate so much with melting your brain off trying to translate a sentence just for it to make absolutely no sense! And then trying to figure out whether it's because of your sloppy translation or it's just Plato on an acid trip lol

[@anthiaalbani9795]

Did you really study ancient Greek in high school? Wooow😮 I am Greek, of course we had ancient Greek but I am surprised to hear that from you! Honestly, I don't know if I'm sorry or happy for you for having to translate Plato😅. Which country are you from?

[@schwaben4120]

@@anthiaalbani9795 I'm italian and the way it works here is that we have different high schools that specialize in different fields e.g. the one I took is called "liceo classico" (classical studies) and if you choose that you have ancient greek 😉 And oh I was definitely trash at it, my translations where hilariously bad and I only got promoted each year because the grade would average out with ancient greek literature (amazing btw) ahaha, I was very good at Latin though

[@anthiaalbani9795]

@@schwaben4120 Interesting😮 thank you for informing me. We study Latin and and ancient Greek in all high schools but only if you choose the orientation of "theoretical studies" (theology, pholology etc). It makes perfect sense that you say that about your performance😁 Very good at ancient Greek very bad at Latin here🙋

[@chiefpurrfect8389]

@@schwaben4120 Funny you should say that, because as a Greek I feel I was way better at Latin that in actual ancient Greek in high school :P

[@fictionalhuman]

How fortunate you were to get to study such a fascinating topic! As someone from the US, where even my small, “cheap” university was tens of thousands of dollars to attend, I am jealous I could not pursue a degree focused on just the enjoyment of gaining academic knowledge. Here you get a degree to get a specific job, more often than not. Higher education is just too expensive to do without an end game. I always said if I were to win a lottery I would want to go back to study just for fun.

[@TheNiamhish]

My favourite Irish stories are probably Oisín i dtír na nóg (Oisín in the land of youth) or really anything to do with the Fianna. I also love the story of Cú Chulainn getting his name.

[@elfenscheisse]

As there are quite many youtubers that make information/docutainment videos on the topics they have studied (history, politics, art...whatsoever) because they have the academic background and can create quite interesting content: have you ever though of bringing the field of celtic studies in that way to your viewers? like all the content you learned, specific topics like life, art, fashion, tales.. in celtic cultures with information packed into an entertaining video? Maybe this could be a way to combine the academic field with your work as a content creator?

[@MissesFateful]

I would love that as well.

[@harper7726]

I was so happy to see this video today! Celtic history is so interesting. Also, don't be embarrassed about your Tolkien beginnings, I'm in uni for medieval history for the same reason haha

[@laredouter4792]

Me too with Medieval and Early Modern Literature!!

[@ferrentes]

I love how excited you get talking about these things!

[@ateliernostalgia4088]

This was a lovely trip down memory lane. I studied AI in Utrecht, but took a minor in Modern Irish (because I figured if I was ever going to learn it, better do it as a part of my degree), and I really enjoyed my time there and the interactions with all the people from Celtic studies.

[@ana-3251]

I’d love to hear you tell stories about medieval Ireland or just talk about your experiences in this degree a bit more in some other tea time video! It was lovely!

[@TheWoollyBat]

It's amazing to see Irish ancient history getting some love

[@Urukins]

The reason why you decided to go for Celtic Studies is not embarrassing at all! Before I even knew I'd be coming to the Netherlands I decided to start learning Dutch because I thought it sounded Gaelic which I really wanted to learn, I opted for Dutch because I'd often work with Dutch Tourists and I thought Dutch sounded just as beautiful with more users!

[@Celebrinthal]

Exactly! There are so many ways one can be lead to their field, and what we get drawn to as teenagers is a really good roadsign if you ask me. + I'd argue that there's absolutely nothing embarassing in going crazy over Tolkien's fiction out of all fiction ever created, since it's basically an academic work in itself ;) My own interest in everything Celtic was partly inspired by Tolkien as well, but even more by the band Eluveitie, which I was mad about in my late teens. Even though I didn't go on to study Celtic stuff (I don't think this was/is an option in Poland anyway), studying English years later I managed to devote a good deal of my master's thesis to Gaelic (I was writing about Irish English, and honestly this subject was just an excuse to dive into its background, that is Gaelic and all the interesting/tragic Anglo-Irish history). Sadly I haven't been to Ireland yet, but I feel bound to it, if it makes any sense at all. And it all started with music and tales.

[@whitalleys5893]

Oh cool! I loved New Grange when I went last year. So cool you got the go inside. Getting there was a hilarious roundabout. We had to go like 10 km away from the site, get a free ticket, and take a free bus to the site. Doth (I think it was Doth?) we almost missed it, saw the tiny sign, and got to go run around the site and play with the neighbors sheep. Also- it sounds like a lot of Americans asked questions about college, considering the questions about “what are you going to do with that degree!?” I worked in an academic setting here in the US and the system has changed drastically over here for the worst. It used to be “get a degree in anything, it’s good professional training”, which is true... now it is about specializing and turning college degrees into ‘job degrees.’ I think it is because our college is sooooooo expensive that most people fear putting the investment in and then being stuck with tens of thousands of dollars in college debt for the rest of your life and a job that pays maybe $40k at most. Fine for a midsized city and living a modest lifestyle, but you would never make it in a larger city, it would be hard to buy a house or car, and etc.

[@mnossy11]

Whitney Dziurka this is true and so sad :/ learning for the sake of learning is so important! We can’t let it disappear!

[@anna-maymoon1001]

Such an interesting tea time! Totally understand what you mean about Britain's Old Stuff being largely under whelming to look at (unless you know the back story), a lot of it is fields with rocks in but they're special rocks! Haha Sounds like such an interesting degree, thank you for sharing ❤ also the myth you put in the description - WILD haha

[@em_greenfield]

I have a few friends who did the same study programme you did, in Utrecht! They were a few years ahead of you though -- they probably finished their BAs around 2010-2011 or so (not 100% sure). I studied history myself (also in Utrecht) and I always loved tagging along to my friends' Asterix evenings with music and stories and then chilling at the pub nearby afterwards. I loved learning a little bit about Celtic studies through them, absolutely fascinating!

[@caitlintiulenev9156]

Yes yes more of this!

[@mouseluva]

This was really interesting! Ever since I first watched a video where you mentioned your degree I've been really curious about it :) It's nice that the Netherlands has a culture where it is acceptable (and financially viable) to study something for joy rather than its future economic value. If I didn't have to think of paying back a student loan on my future salary, I'd be studying medieval social English history (or as close as I could get!) instead of architecture. I am grateful that one of my passions is quite monetizable though :) Thank you for an interesting video!

[@pwnkr3416]

I only recently discovered Celtic Studies as I recently bought a big book on Irish mythology and also a small book on some Irish poetry. I've always been interested in anything Celtic as I have been embracing my Irish heritage and now I am tempted to attempt self study in this?? I'm just so intrigued!

[@Heleny3]

This was so cool! I literally never thought someone outside of Wales or the Celtic Nations would want to learn about celts etc. The Mabinogion are 10/10

[@brigittewinklmayr8329]

I started Celtic Studies 2000 in VIenna. I loved Old Irish grammar. We had to learn two celtic languages, as well as Old Irish and Middle Welsh. My favourite text was Bethu Brigde and I loved to translate vitae of celtic saints from Latin into German.

[@CallMeKells89]

2,000 Euros a year... my jaw literally dropped. My out of state tuition for school was 60,000 USD per year. I can’t even fathom it.

[@agimagi2158]

Your reasoning for choosing your field of studies is entirely legitimate! 11 year old me chose the high school I went to because 1. I wanted to learn Latin to be able to make up my own Harry Potter spells 2. because the logo of the school was an owl and 3. because I wanted to learn ancient Greek in the higher classes. And I really liked that school and you seemed to have enjoyed your studies so much you are still so enthusiastic about all the topics! So I wholeheartedly support any decisions made on the base of fangirling some books!

[@mce1939]

Thanks for sharing, very interesting info! Would love a glasses update video-like, which glasses you like to wear daily, which glasses you ended up not liking, how you choose which glasses to wear with certain outfits.

[@Juliaaa9797]

I have a bachelor's degree in Celtic Studies as well from Philipps University of Marburg, Germany :) I'm kind of surprised hearing someone speak about this topic on KZbin, it's so uncommon. Anyway, if anyone has more questions, I'm happy to tell you about my experience. I graduated this March :)

[@deirdrejones5974]

Hello, my name is Deirdre. Thank you for correctly pronouncing Deirdre! I’ve spent my life spelling and saying it over and over-it’s not common in the states. Some people say they’ve never heard it before.

[@lydiaperlick9213]

I loved this tea time! I studied Gaelic language and lived in ireland for a summer in a Gaelic speaking village outside of Galway!

[@annaysbryd]

Genuinely didn't know any other country outside Wales did degrees in Welsh history. I'm shocked but really happy to hear that Wales is being studied internationally, even if it's only a couple of countries in mainland Europe 😊 Oh, also if anyone's interested in Welsh Myth I'd really recommend "The Lengend of Gelert the Dog" , it's sad but a lovely story about how the town Beddgelert got it's name. My favourite legend from my country

[@dnyanalghadge7892]

I really like video like this, i really want you to tell us how was the lifestyle of Nederland people in old times. And society structure it's really interesting one to chat on.

[@alejandrarodriguez8410]

Omg I love medieval and celtic.... Everything

[@maywenearedhel]

I remember hearing about how Elvish had nothing to do with Irish, but was based on Finnish, and I never really believed that since Elvish and Irish are similar in structure and vocab. The best example would be the Elvish and Irish words for "Father" being "Ada" and "Athair" respectively.

[@JP-qy6el]

I think it was Welsh & Finnish

[@marissavdk1]

Love this! Perfect timing! Planning on studying Celtic languages and culture next year. Thank you so much for this information. It’s hard these days to visit “open dagen” en “meeloopdagen”.

[@Loepsie]

Yeees go for it! 😄

[@savannahbrewer6161]

the universities in the Netherlands must be very different than the US. I'm not getting anything out of my time in school except an empty bank account.

[@Loepsie]

Sorry to hear that!

[@Cecilia13241]

What are you majoring in? I'm in the US as well and kind of feel the same way. Although I think it is because of the major I chose, I may change it. I'm not sure how it is in other countries but our colleges sure require many prerequisites that take up a lot of time and money.

[@wakethefoxup]

You graduated the year before I started, I never realized! I think you must've translated some different stories than I did, but it was very nice to hear about other tales. It is funny how much I recognized from your experience, down to the selecting the studies (I also considered art school). Your thesis does sound pretty cool!

[@Loepsie]

Ah really? I was still pretty involved with Asterix the year after I graduated, you may have seen me around sometime 😁

[@wakethefoxup]

@@Loepsie i definitely remember you from the life after celtic night! I'm still on the board now, last year of my MA (which is in fact reformed)

[@noortjeblokland4943]

I really enjoyed this! I'm probably going to study art history, at Utrecht university too!

[@marisadaniela6]

This was so interesting! I am going to have to pick up some Irish tales. They sound great! I am supposed to be teaching from Finn MacCool (not sure on the spelling) and other legends for my son next year, but you inspired me to look into it now!

[@reggaeful]

Thanks for this unique content! I loved it. If you ever do more celtic studies videos I'm all about it. I went to university for fine art and I'm really curious about your initial experience with it and what made you decide it wasn't for you, especially because I had some criticisms as well as praise for my own program. Thanks again, have a lovely day!

[@Loepsie]

I realised art schools nowadays are all about ~conceptual art~, self-actualisation, social criticism and things like that, which is not my cup of tea at all. I just wanted to learn how to paint better, not publicly go through therapy for four years 🙈 Maybe that's just what they're like over here, but I know a few people who did go to art school and this was their experience as well. It's less about technique and more about expression, and that's not what I was looking for. I'd love to hear more about your experience!

[@reggaeful]

@@Loepsie I really had the same criticisms!! My problem was that despite a good foundational skill year where we learned the basics of a huge range of mediums, the following years went straight into conceptual art. At 19/20 years old I didn't have anything valuable to say about the world (haha it's true!), and I wasn't being given the rigourous technical training that I wanted to give me the skills to someday, later, actually express a valuable concept through my art. This led to some struggling and a few years post graduation where I felt like my technical skills were lacking and my whole circle of contacts expected me to make a type of art that I didn't feel connected to. It's only been this past year that I finally delved into self-teaching to get over my pride and relearn some basics, and letting myself make the type of art that I really enjoy (portraiture, fantasy, and game concept art). Thanks for sharing your experience!!

[@Angela-ie6ql]

Love your video I would like to hear more about your knowledge of celtic studies

[@casiopeea12]

What a small world! :) My husband also did Celtic studies in Utrecht until 2013. He also chose these studies because of his passion for LOTR. He never did anything in this field afterwards, though.

[@Loepsie]

Did he now? I might know him then, I was there 2011 - 2014 😄

[@casiopeea12]

@@Loepsie Well, I asked him because I was excited by this coincidence, but he couldn't quite remember you. But he's not a very social kind of person, so that might explain that. :-S It's very likely though that you might indeed recognise him. :D He was the only Belgian guy in his year.

[@Loepsie]

Ahh yes, indeed I don't think we've spoken

[@drummagirl65]

I have been a long time viewer of yours & really enjoyed this video!

[@jennifergrove2368]

A couple things in this made me think of my favourite book: "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett who is a Welsh author, and this book takes place in the Middle Ages. Very *very* good read, but they did make an 8 episode mini series out of it too. Which was very good as well. It didn't follow the book to a T, but they still managed to execute it well. Would recommend both the book and the mini series! Anyway, you should really do Aliena of Shiring (Who is a main character.) as a Beauty Beacon of Fiction! And since you mentioned Tolkien in this video, I'd also suggest doing Liv Tyler as a Beauty Beacon as well!

[@soylalilalilalula]

This is SO interesting, thank you 😍❤️ I'm such a nerd + my ancestry is irish... this made my day 😊😊😊😊😊

[@mirjanbouma]

The video we were waiting for!

[@mariajones4202]

I never know you did celtic studies! I was just watching this hoping for a book recommendation. I'm from Ireland and I'd love to learn more about Irish mythology (and history) We did learn some of the legends (Children of Lir, Tir na nOg etc.) in primary school, and Newgrange as part of art history in secondary school but that was a long time ago now and of course the versions we were told as children probably left things out. Most of the books I've come across are fairly academic and also assume knowledge of classical mythology, (which again I only have a casual interest in) rather than being story based so I'll definitely have to check out Ancient Irish Tales! Did you study any of the folklore about fairies/Aos si or Tuatha Dé Danann?

[@gabrielabianchi1809]

Hi, new follower here from Puerto Rico. I hope you're well. God bless + take care :)

[@Mary-eo7ir]

This is so far up my alley, what a lovely video to start the day

[@lindseystein9676]

Such a fascinating subject. I love old tales, myths and fables. Pretty much from any time period. I think I gravitate towards Aesop’s fables and grimm’s fairy tales because they are so commonly known and they’re easy to find. I would have loved to study what your degree is in. Unfortunately, the higher education system in the US is more of a money making industry for lenders and you have to study whatever field you’re going into.

[@wingedyera]

I also studied at utrecht university. I even did the master your study shares with mine (celtic medieval and renaissance )

[@amiesparkle00]

I’ve been to Newgrange and it was surprisingly cool.

[@annasoer7558]

This is so fun! I'm celtic :-) (from Brittany, France) and it's really nice to see some representation hahaha But about the dutch system (i'm half dutch), there are two types of higher education: technical/professional universities (hogeschool) vs academic universities (universiteit). Both are good, one is not better than the other, they just offer different curriculum and different professional outcomes. :-)

[@Loepsie]

Ah I would probably refer to hogeschool as college, not university, but it's hard to translate these concepts directly

[@makeupboss3568]

I wonder if there would’ve been anything like that here in the US at that time , I would’ve taken a loan and went right back to school. The Hill of Terra was where some of my ancestry started . So , the Elven language was loosely based on Welsh language, that’s kind of cool . I learned a lot from this , ( my mom’s ancestry is a little Welsh and German. )

[@sif_2799]

I also study celtic studies, I didnt know you did, this is so cool :D

[@PichanDaisuki]

I can sort of really relate to this, I have a degree in folklore and its the most amazing thing ive ever done haha

[@flutosan7764]

This is so interesting!!!

[@rose-mariedekoning8471]

I feel so much better knowing I'm not alone in quitting university after bachelor. I did Biology in Wageningen. Same reason as you too, the research and academic field just isn't for me.

[@LadyMcBite]

I love your mug, it is the cutest :3

[@lilianathehistorian2919]

When Lucy said that there were only 6 people in her whole year 💀 (I'm a history major at a university in the States and there's only 3 of us in my year so...)

[@MsNimJ]

I did a minor in english literature in Utrecht, and there were always celtic studies people in the classes i took. They seemed a fun group :) Edit: now that im thinking about it, was probably around when you were studying, 2013 or 2014.

[@agentcallisto]

Likewise I was (and still am) a Tolkien-obsessed teenager who would have done anything to study Sindarin in college. Funnily enough, the degree I wound up going for and subsequently, the job I have now was inspired by another book series I loved.

[@isabelleleconche1792]

Please elaborate!

[@Geneselli]

Hiii I love ur videos!! ^^" 🧡🧡🧡✨

[@Sisi-ep3wn]

6 people? I think I can beat that! I'm studying Philology and Archeology of the Ancient Near East. Most of the course consists of translating sumerian and akkadian texts. I'm not sure but I think there are only 2 other people who are in the same year as I am.

[@Loepsie]

Ohh my classmates would love that, haha!

[@laredouter4792]

I am so jealous. What an amazing course! I'm MA Medieval and Early Modern Textual Cultures myself

[@doemtij]

well now i'm almost sad i did not decide to do celtic studies in utrecht :(

[@maidenrohina]

This was fantastic, you mentioned you studied both Irish and Welsh Celtic history/language. Did you study anything about Scottish history/language? If not, was there a particular reason it wasn't covered?

[@Loepsie]

We didn't cover Scotland. I'm not entirely sure why, but I do believe Scots Gaelic only became a separate language from Irish sometime around the 13th century, which would've been after the time period we studied. I assume there just isn't a lot of material from that region in that time period, but I might be wrong here.

[@maidenrohina]

@@Loepsie Thank you for the reply. That makes sense, this video was absolutely fascinating. I love learning about Irish history as my partner is a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages. I hope you do more video's like this as it was super interesting :)

[@latharnaimlah7850]

It’s so weird hearing abt others doing my course lol it feels like I’m the only one

[@mimistitchcraft]

It's definitely not embarrassing to study medieval studies because you're a Tolkien fan! He's absolutely the gateway drug for like 90% of millennial medievalists lol. I did my master's at a famous Oxbridge medieval languages department and pretty much all the students I hung out with were Tolkien fans. I dabbled in a bit of Welsh but am firmly on the Old English side of things! I wouldn't touch Old Irish with a barge pole, you're very brave for tackling it 😹

[@UltraAwesomeEmily]

Did you take any classes from Dr. Victor Schmidt? He was one of my professors!

[@JoAnn12]

DID YOU LIKE OUTLANDER?!

[@TheQueenAndTheKing]

I have a bachelor Japanese in the Netherlands, which aren't any direct jobs with that either. Maybe translate jobs, but you need to be very good... But! My study had marketing communications courses which I'm kinda glad as I'm working in that now. But do find it sad that I studied a language 4 years and forgot a big part of it now 😭

[@missj6923]

Keep going! Maybe online translation will help x

[@stephaniepiccioni1047]

I'm applying to UU for graduate school! Did you enjoy your time there?

[@acmulhern]

I'm so surprised that Celtic studies is even a thing outside of Ireland. Sounds like you had a really good time.

[@Hellothere_453]

Celtic studies is a thing in Wales too considering the Welsh are Celts

[@kayleerebekah4710]

Do you have a video on making the dress your wearing?!?!?!

[@alicelilley9879]

I so nearly applied for Norse and Celtic studies

[@wiebelziel]

I have to say, I think the student loan system we have now is terrible. The tuition might not be as high as some other countries, but combined with the (ever rising) cost of living, you gather a lot of debt over the years. It has a big impact, not just on life after you graduate but also on student mental health and the atmosphere in universities. (I've experienced both systems.)

[@onfaerystories]

I've met someone who's doing a PhD in medieval history and I was so fascinated. I started my Bachelor's degree last year (I'm in the middle of my third semester) in translation (from English to French). Since University studies are quite expensive here in Canada (but fortunately not as much as in the US), I couldn't just be learning about any field. Fortunately, I could pick a "cours au choix" and, since my husband is Greek and I care about learning his language, I picked a modern Greek course. I'd love to study ancient Greek as well in the future. I'm very passionate by anything Greek, just the way you were/are by Celtic languages. Thanks for this very interesting and informative video! ❤️ I'd love more videos on the topic. :)

[@onnalynn7004]

OMFG! WE 100% NEED THAT HERE IN AMERICA! WHERE YOU GET A LOAN/GRANT FOR COLLEGE THAT U DO NOT NEED TO PAY BACK! There are only CERTAIN groups of people that get to go to college 100% free here... And its a very small amount... Like we have scholarships for things like sports, or if u super super smart, etc. And i know there are programs for some African Americans to go to college for free. To help promote college to more kids. (Which is awesome!) BUT! FOR ME...someone with middleclass family, that has three kids, and could possibly HELP pay a SMALL AMOUNT of college but NOT the full thing the ONLY option is to get loans that I HAVE TO PAY BACK 100%! You have to pay it back starting like 1-3 years after u graduate, and yes u can do payments with HIGH interest rates, OR if u cant u seriously have to jump through hoops to prove u make less than certain amount each year and THEN u can get a year extension on paying it back...and u can do that unlimited amount of times...but only if u r DIRT POOR... ITS BULLSHIT! I took Esthetics(at a Cosmetology College. Its learning skincare and makeup, waxing, facials, lash extensions, etc.) And it was SUPPOSED TO BE a 10 month course with me going PT, which was me going 4 days a week mon-thurs, 5PM-9PM. Along with me having a 1yo son who my mother VERY KINDLY would babysit for me while i also worked 5 days a week at a daycare from 9AM-4PM. (My work and school were about 7 mins apart but my house was 40 mins away...so i was gone A LOT.) AND GUESS WHAT! 8 and a half months into my schooling, AND ALL MY HARD WORK AND PRECIOUS TIME I PUT INTO IT, THE DAMN SCHOOL DECIDED TO CLOSE ON US! SOOOOOOO MANY OF US WERE PIIIIISSED! ALSO...i was 24 at the time...so i wasnt real young with no kids and could just switch to any school anytime and i didnt have tons of money! AND i wasnt able to get any more loans at the time...eventhough i barely got enough to pay for what i did... SO YEAH! AMERICA NEEDS TO OFFER SOMETHING LIKE WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE! BECAUSE WE GET RIPPED OFF AND MOST OF US CANT EVEN GO TO COLLEGE...AND THE MAIN REASON WHY IS MONEY! ALSO! Here in America...people go to college the the idea they will get a job in their field of study HOPEFULLY withing 1-12 months after graduation. (AND the reason u get 1-3 years to pay back the loan is because even the loan companies expect u to have a job in ur field of study by then and believe u should b able to pay by then...ALSO...i believe its closer to 1 year rather than 3...diff people have diff situations...i believe i hadONE YEAR...) SUCKED FOR ME! CAUSE I COULDNT GET A JOB IN MY FIELD OF STUDY IF I WANTED TOO...CAUSE I WAS FORCED TO NOT FINISH MY CLASSES! And by the time the school closed i had lost ALL HOPE in college and wanted to be with my son more and not gone for 12 hours a day being a SINGLE PARENT. UGH! Your so lucky... How nice it must be to be able to go to college, FOR FREE, and not worry about rushing to a career afterwards, and just be able to learn what u enjoy for fun and again for FREEEEEE!

[@Loepsie]

Just to be clear: this is no longer the system! We now have loans as well. Also, technically you do still pay tuition, and of course have to buy books, and pay for rent, food etc. if you have to move to be close to uni. The money we got back then wasn't enough to cover all of that, so you'd have to get a side job or support from parents if you moved away from home. It was a decent system, but we don't all get to study for free over here

[@maysam492]

I really like you You’re so gentle and cute and so pretty I love you my Princess🥺❤️❤️❤️

[@DeeDeeCatMom]

So the big question is, can you speak and understand Irish? Welsh? :)

[@Loepsie]

No, I personally only learned the medieval languages

[@samanthaw3323]

2000 euros a year? Average yearly tuition in the United States is about 20,000 US dollars. 😭

[@mirjanbouma]

The Netherlands has a more "education is a boon to the whole of society" kind of attitude so a big part of education is paid by taxes. We have a very solid support structure - especially compared to the states. It's not perfect, of course, but I'm glad I live here and not in the USA.

[@malcolmlugg9843]

A bheil thu a' bhruidhinn Gàidhlig?

[@Loepsie]

I'm afraid not! Only learned dead languages myself.

[@h.c.8731]

I do wonder why your Celtic Studies degree in no way included studies of Scottish history...?

[@Loepsie]

We mostly studied languages and literature. Scots Gaelic didn't develop until after the period we focused on, and I believe there isn't much written material from that region from that time period. The bachelor programme can only cover so much, so I believe they mostly choose to focus on the two most prominent regions simply because we have the most material on those. We didn't cover Breton, Manx, Cornish or any of the other smaller Celtic languages either (or not in the standard curriculum, any way)

[@elizabetha3936]

🧠

[@mommykko2263]

Your bang is beautiful 💕

[@samsn4016]

First

[@taffetarose7377]

Celtic studies is the most irrelevant thing to study, but would've taken it without second thought, if I have an idea then 😂 So I took the second most irrelevant course - History of Ancient Greece and Rome.

[@JP-qy6el]

That's not irrelevant! History in itself is useful in many areas (also doing my own History BA part time), also many culture/heritage places would appreciate the subject matter

[@darshikapanwar8541]

Hello loepsie Pls talk to me I really like ur videos & ur way of speaking