Breakdown of Çevirmenin üstünde çalıştığı taslak çok uzun.
çok
very
uzun
long / tall
çalışmak
to work / to study
üst
top
Questions & Answers about Çevirmenin üstünde çalıştığı taslak çok uzun.
How does üstünde çalıştığı translate to "on which [he] worked"?
In English, we use "on which" or "that... worked on". In Turkish, we use a spatial word like üst (top) with the possessive and locative suffixes, giving us üstünde (on [it]). This pairs with the relative participle çalıştığı (that he worked). Together, üstünde çalıştığı functions as "that he worked on", describing the noun taslak (draft).
Why is çevirmen (translator) in the genitive case (çevirmenin)?
In Turkish relative clauses formed with -dık (like çalıştığı), the subject of the clause acts like a possessor. Because "the translator" is the one doing the working, it takes the genitive suffix -in, matching the possessive suffix -ı on çalıştığı (forming a structure that literally translates to "the translator's worked-on draft").
Could I use üzerinde instead of üstünde here?
Yes, absolutely! Üzerinde çalışmak and üstünde çalışmak both mean "to work on [something]". Üzerinde often sounds slightly more formal or abstract, making it very common for things like drafts, projects, or ideas, but üstünde is perfectly natural and correct here too.
The English translation says "worked" (past tense). Can çalıştığı also mean "is working"?