An dàrna turas: What can I say to that?!
Take two: Dè chanas mi ris a sin?!
Let's have a look at this conversation again.
Bidh e a' cur iongnadh orm. Carson a roghnaicheas duine feallsanachd thar chuspair eile?
It [always] amazes me. Why would someone choose philosophy over another subject?
Leis gu bheil i cho inntinneach! Bha feallsanachd ga meòrachadh aig an oilthigh far an deach mi fhìn. B' i aon/tè de na cuspairean riatanach sa chùrsa agam.
Because it's so interesting! Philosophy was studied at the university I attended. It was one of the compulsory subjects in my course.
Ach nach eil cuspairean nas tlachdmhoire gan teagasg?
But aren't there more enjoyable subjects being taught?
Cò a chanas nach eil i tlachdmhor?! Chaidh bun-stèidh feallsanachd an t-saoghail an iar a leasachadh leis na Greugaich! An robh fhios agad air a sin?
Who's to say it isn't enjoyable! The foundation of philosophy of the western world was developed by the Greeks! Did you know that?
Cha robh! Smaoinich!
No (I didn't)! imagine that!
Agus thèid iomadh ceist fhaighneachd agus a fhreagairt—ceistean domhain, toinnte is smaoineachail.
And many questions will be asked and answered—deep, complex and reflective questions.
Dè na ceistean a bhios ann, ma-thà?
What questions are they, then?
Dè ghabhas creidsinn?
What can be believed?
Gabhaidh a h-uile rud a tha sinn a' faicinn.
Everything we see is acceptable [can be believed].
An gabh na tha sinn a' faicinn creidsinn, ge-tà?
Can we believe what we see, though?
Dè chanas mi ris a sin?! Carson nach gabhadh?
What do I say to that?! Why couldn't it [be believed]?
An gabh e a ràdh gu bheil tuigse againn air an t-saoghal?
Can it be said that we understand the world?
Cha ghabh san latha a th' ann. Ach nuair a bha mi na b' òige, ghabhadh.
can't [be said] nowadays. But when I was younger, it could [be said].
Co-dhiù, chan eil e gu diofar dè chanas càch! Chaidh òraidean a fhrithealadh—corra uair. Chaidh nòtaichean a sgrìobhadh agus a leughadh—uaireannan. Agus chaidh deuchainnean fheuchainn—agus chòrd e rium!
Anyway, it doesn't matter what others say! Lectures were attended—occasionally. Notes were written and read—sometimes. And examinations were taken—and I enjoyed it!