Ĉu originalo, ĉu kopio, la konsulo kontrolos ĝin.

Yes, ĉu often introduces a yes/no question, as in Ĉu vi venos? = Are you coming?

But Esperanto also uses the paired structure ĉu ... ĉu ... to mean whether ... or ... or either ... or ....

So here:

Ĉu originalo, ĉu kopio
means something like
whether it is an original or a copy / be it an original or a copy.

In this sentence, the opening ĉu does not make the whole sentence a question.

It is a statement, not a question.

The paired expression ĉu originalo, ĉu kopio is just an introductory phrase meaning whether original or copy. The main clause is:

la konsulo kontrolos ĝin
= the consul will check it

So the whole sentence says that the consul will check it in either case.

It is an alternative pair. It presents two possibilities:

• originalo = original
• kopio = copy

Together, ĉu originalo, ĉu kopio means:

• whether an original or a copy
• either an original or a copy
• be it an original or a copy

This kind of phrase is slightly elliptical. In fuller English, you might imagine:

• Whether it is an original or a copy, the consul will check it.

Esperanto often allows this compact style.

No, they are not the direct object of kontrolos.

The direct object is ĝin:

• la konsulo kontrolos ĝin = the consul will check it

The words originalo and kopio belong to the separate alternative phrase ĉu ... ĉu ..., so they stay in the basic noun form without -n.

A helpful way to think about it is:

• Whether it is an original or a copy, the consul will check it.

In English too, original and copy are not the object of check in that structure.

Ĝin means it and is the accusative form of ĝi.

It refers to the item being discussed — the document, paper, or thing that might be either an original or a copy.

So:

• ĝi = it
• ĝin = it, as a direct object

Since kontroli takes a direct object, Esperanto marks that object with -n:

• La konsulo kontrolos ĝin. = The consul will check it.

Because Esperanto often uses a pronoun when the referent is already clear.

Instead of repeating the noun phrase, the sentence says:

• ĉu originalo, ĉu kopio = whether original or copy
• ĝin = it

This avoids repetition and sounds natural. English does the same:

• Whether it’s the original or a copy, the consul will check it.

Kontrolos is the future tense of kontroli = to check / inspect / verify.

Esperanto verb endings are very regular:

• -as = present
  kontrolas = checks / is checking
• -is = past
  kontrolis = checked
• -os = future
  kontrolos = will check
• -us = conditional
  kontrolus = would check
• -u = imperative / jussive
  kontrolu = check!

So la konsulo kontrolos ĝin means the consul will check it.

La is the definite article, meaning the.

So:

• konsulo = a consul / consul
• la konsulo = the consul

Using la shows that a specific consul is meant, probably one already known from the context.

Esperanto has only one article, la, and it does not change for gender, number, or case.

Because they are being used in a general classification, not as specifically identified items.

Here the point is simply the type of thing:

• original
• copy

So Esperanto naturally says:

ĉu originalo, ĉu kopio

rather than necessarily adding la.

In English, we also often omit extra articles in this kind of pattern:

• whether original or copy
• whether an original or a copy

Depending on context, other versions could be possible, but this article-less form is very natural.

Not in the same way.

Aŭ means or, but ĉu ... ĉu ... is a fixed paired structure meaning whether ... or ... / either ... or ....

So:

• ĉu originalo, ĉu kopio = whether original or copy

If you used aŭ, you would be making a different structure, not this balanced alternative pair.

For learners, it is useful to remember:

• ĉu ... ĉu ... = whether ... or ...
• aŭ = or

The commas set off the introductory alternative phrase:

Ĉu originalo, ĉu kopio

This phrase functions a bit like an inserted or fronted expression, after which the main clause comes:

la konsulo kontrolos ĝin

So the commas help the reader see the structure clearly:

• introductory alternative phrase
• main statement

In English, you might punctuate similarly:

• Whether original or copy, the consul will check it.

Yes, you can think of an implied idea such as it is or it may be.

So the full sense is something like:

• whether it is an original or a copy
• be it an original or a copy

Esperanto often leaves such repeated material unstated when the meaning is obvious.

That is why the phrase is short, but still completely understandable.

Yes, Esperanto word order is fairly flexible, although some orders sound more natural than others.

This sentence puts the alternative phrase first for emphasis:

Ĉu originalo, ĉu kopio, la konsulo kontrolos ĝin.

That gives the sense:

No matter which of the two it is, the consul will check it.

A different order might be possible in context, but this fronted version is very natural when you want to highlight the contrast between originalo and kopio.