Learn Hardcore Turkish: Bu makaleyi okurken, yazarın fikirlerini yorumlamak zorundayım. - While reading this article, I have to interpret the author's ideas.

The suffix -ken is used to form adverbial clauses that denote actions occurring simultaneously with the main verb. In this sentence, okurken means "while reading", setting the temporal context for the main clause.

Why is there a comma after "Bu makaleyi okurken" in the sentence?

The comma separates the introductory adverbial clause from the main clause. Bu makaleyi okurken (meaning "while reading this article") provides context, and the comma helps clarify that the time-related clause is distinct from the obligation expressed later.

How is possession expressed in the phrase yazarın fikirlerini?

Turkish indicates possession using the genitive case. Yazarın is the genitive form of yazar (meaning "writer" or "author"), showing that the ideas belong to the writer. Moreover, fikirlerini carries an accusative marker to denote that it is a definite direct object, and it also reflects the possessive relationship implied by the writer’s ideas.

How is obligation expressed in this sentence, particularly in yorumlamak zorundayım?

The phrase zorundayım comes from the construction [verb] + zorunda olmak, which is used to express necessity or obligation in Turkish. In this case, yorumlamak zorundayım means "I must interpret" or "I have to interpret", indicating that interpreting the writer’s ideas is a required action.

Why is the subject omitted from the sentence even though both actions are performed by the same person?

In Turkish, subject pronouns are often dropped because the verb conjugations clearly indicate the subject. Both okurken and zorundayım imply a first-person singular subject (i.e., "I"), so there’s no need to state it explicitly.