Learn Hardcore Turkish: Talep ederlerse, ek bilgi ve açıklama sağlamak bizim görevimiz. - If they request, providing additional information and explanations is our duty.

-se is the conditional suffix in Turkish. It attaches after the verb’s person‐number ending to form “if” clauses. Morphologically: et (root “do/request”) + -er (aorist/“they do”) + -ler (3rd pl) + -se (conditional) = ederlerse (“if they request”).

Why is sağlamak in the infinitive form rather than a finite verb?

Because the sentence uses a nominalized verb phrase as its subject. Ek bilgi ve açıklama sağlamak literally means “providing additional information and explanation,” and this entire phrase behaves like a noun. In Turkish the -mak/-mek infinitive is often used to turn verbs into noun-like concepts, similar to English “to provide.”

What is the function and formation of bizim görevimiz?

Bizim görevimiz means “our duty.”

görev = duty
-imiz = 1st pers pl possessive suffix (“our”)
bizim = “our” used for emphasis or clarity
Turkish often omits the copula -dir (“it is”), so görevimizdir = “it is our duty,” but you can drop -dir when the meaning is obvious.

Why are ek bilgi and açıklama not marked with the accusative case?

Inside a nominalized clause (ek bilgi ve açıklama sağlamak), those nouns function like indefinite objects and remain unmarked (nominative). If you wanted to make them definite, you’d add the accusative suffix -ı/-i (e.g. ek bilgiyi sağlamak = “to provide the additional information”).

Why does the conditional clause Talep ederlerse come before the main clause?

Turkish follows a Subject-Object-Verb order, and subordinate clauses (like conditionals) typically appear before the main clause. Placing Talep ederlerse (“if they request”) first sets the condition, and then you state the main idea: … bizim görevimiz.

There’s no explicit object after talep ederlerse. Is that okay?

Yes. In Turkish, objects can be omitted when they’re clear from context. Here talep etmek (“to request”) would normally take an object, but since “it” (the extra info/explanation) is already understood, you don’t need to say onu.

Is there a difference between talep etmek and istemek?

Both can mean “to request” or “to ask for,” but talep etmek is more formal or official (common in written/legal language), whereas istemek is more general and used in everyday speech (“to want” or “to ask for”).