Learn Hardcore Turkish: Bilgisayarın işlevi önemli. - The computer's function is important.

Bilgisayarın means “of the computer” or “computer's”. The base word bilgisayar means “computer,” and the suffix -ın is the genitive case marker that indicates possession. This marker is attached following Turkish vowel harmony rules.

Why does işlevi have the suffix -i, and what does it indicate?

İşlev means “function,” and by adding the suffix -i, it shows that the function belongs to the computer mentioned earlier. In Turkish possessive constructions, the possessed noun takes a suffix (here -i) that corresponds to the possessor, establishing the relationship seen in “the computer’s function.”

How does Turkish express possession in noun phrases like this one?

Turkish uses a two-part construction for possession. First, the possessor (in this case, bilgisayar) receives a genitive case suffix (-ın) to become bilgisayarın. Then, the noun indicating what is possessed (işlev) takes a possessive suffix (-i) that matches the possessor. Together, they form the equivalent of “the computer’s function.”

Why is there no explicit linking verb such as “is” in the sentence?

In Turkish, the linking verb “to be” is often omitted in the present simple tense. The adjective önemli (“important”) directly serves as a predicate, so the meaning “is important” is clearly understood without needing an explicit “is.”

What vowel harmony rules can be observed in the suffixes of this sentence?

Turkish suffixes change form to harmonize with the vowels in the root word. For bilgisayar, which contains the vowel a, the genitive suffix appears as -ın. Similarly, the possessive suffix -i in işlevi adapts to match the vowel characteristics of işlev. This ensures smooth pronunciation and consistency across words.

Why is the possessor placed before the possessed noun in Turkish?

In Turkish, the standard order for possessive constructions is to first state the possessor (with its genitive marker) followed by the possessed noun (with its corresponding possessive suffix). Thus, bilgisayarın işlevi translates directly as “the computer’s function,” reflecting the natural word order in Turkish.