Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben deftere taslak karalıyorum. - I am scribbling a draft in the notebook.

Breakdown of Ben deftere taslak karalıyorum.

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Why is it deftere and not defterde or just defter?

deftere has the dative ending -e/-a and marks the target/destination: you’re writing/scribbling into the notebook.
Verbs of writing/drawing commonly take the surface with the dative: kağıda yazıyorum (I’m writing on the paper), tahtaya çiziyorum (I’m drawing on the board).
defterde (locative -de/-da) means “in the notebook” and emphasizes location, not the target of the writing. It’s fine to say defterde karalıyorum to mean “I’m (there) in the notebook scribbling,” but the neutral way to express the act of putting marks into it is with the dative.
Bare defter (no case) would be ungrammatical here; the verb needs a case-marked complement to show where you’re scribbling.

Why is taslak not marked with the accusative? Shouldn’t it be taslağı?

In Turkish, a direct object is left unmarked when it’s indefinite/unspecified. taslak here means “a draft (some draft or draft material)”—indefinite, so no accusative.
Use the accusative for a specific/definite object: taslağı karalıyorum = “I’m scribbling the draft.”
Note the consonant change: taslak
- -ı → taslağı (k → ğ before a vowel).

Do I need bir to mean “a notebook” or “a draft” (e.g., bir deftere, bir taslak)?

For the direct object, taslak is already indefinite; bir taslak is also fine and adds the “one/a single draft” feel or emphasis.
With case-marked nouns like deftere, adding bir clearly signals indefiniteness: bir deftere = “into a notebook (one of some).” Without bir, deftere can be generic or contextually definite. So use bir if you want to stress “a (random) notebook.”

Can I drop Ben?

Yes. The verb ending -um in karalıyorum already marks first person singular. Deftere taslak karalıyorum is perfectly natural. Including Ben adds emphasis or contrast (“I (as opposed to others)…”).

How is karalıyorum formed? Why not karalaıyorum?

Breakdown: kara-la- (verb stem “to scribble”) + -(I)yor (present continuous) + -um (1sg) → karalıyorum.
When a verb stem ends in a vowel (a/e), that vowel raises to ı/i/u/ü before -yor due to vowel harmony:
- anla- → anlıyorum, bekle- → bekliyorum, söyle- → söylüyorum.
  Here, karala- → karalı-yor-um → karalıyorum.
The personal ending harmonizes with the last vowel: -um after o/u quality.

Why use the present continuous -(I)yor here? What would the simple present look like?

karalıyorum expresses an ongoing/around-now action (“I’m (in the process of) scribbling”).
The simple present (habitual) would be karalarım (“I (generally) scribble”). It’s used for routines, facts, or timeless statements.
Turkish also uses -(I)yor for near-future or current trends in the right context.

Is the word order fixed? Could I say Taslak deftere karalıyorum?

Turkish is flexible, but information structure matters. The element immediately before the verb is typically in focus.
Your original deftere taslak karalıyorum places taslak right before the verb, so it’s naturally focused (what you’re scribbling).
Taslak deftere karalıyorum puts deftere in the focus position (where you’re scribbling). Both are grammatical; choose based on what you want to emphasize.

Could I use defterde instead of deftere with this verb?

You can say defterde karalıyorum, but it highlights location (“I’m (there) in the notebook, scribbling”) rather than the target/recipient of the scribbling.
With writing/drawing, the dative (deftere) is the default to express the surface you’re marking.

Does karalamak only mean “to scribble”? Any pitfalls?

karalamak means “to scribble/doodle,” but also “to blacken/smear someone’s name; to slander.”
- Onu karalıyorlar = “They’re defaming him/her.”
With a writing surface or a thing being created (deftere, taslak), it’s safely “scribble.”
Alternatives with different nuances:
- taslak yazıyorum (drafting text), taslak çiziyorum (sketching), taslak hazırlıyorum (preparing a draft).

How do I say “into my notebook” or “in my notebook”?

“My notebook”: defterim.
- Into my notebook (dative): defterime → Defterime taslak karalıyorum.
- In my notebook (locative): defterimde → Defterimde taslak karalıyorum.
You can add the pronoun for emphasis: benim defterime/defterimde, but benim is usually optional.

How do I negate or ask a yes/no question?

Negation: insert -ma/-me before -(I)yor with harmony → karalamıyorum:
- Ben deftere taslak karalamıyorum.
Yes/no question: add the separate particle mi/mi? (it harmonizes and stands separate) after the focused element—often the verb:
- Deftere taslak karalıyor muyum?
- To question a different part, move mi: Deftere mi taslak karalıyorsun?

Is there any pronunciation tip for the ı in karalıyorum?

ı (dotless i) is a close back unrounded vowel—like the vowel in English “roses” or “sofa” for many speakers.
Syllables: ka-ra-lı-yo-rum. In -(I)yor forms, the yor syllable is prominent: ka-ra-lı-YOR-um.

Could I omit taslak and just say I’m scribbling in the notebook?

Yes: Deftere karalıyorum = “I’m scribbling (into the notebook).” The object is optional when the activity itself is clear from context.
If you mean you’re producing a rough draft specifically, keep taslak (or use a more specific verb like yazıyorum/çiziyorum depending on modality).

What changes if I already have a specific draft/notebook in mind?

Make them definite:
- Specific draft: taslağı karalıyorum.
- Specific notebook (previously known): often still dative without bir, or add possession: defterime taslağı karalıyorum (“I’m scribbling the draft into my notebook”).
Remember: definite direct objects take the accusative; surfaces/targets usually take the dative.