Question 1

Can you break down the suffixes on bozulduğuna and why it is in the dative case?

Accepted Answer

This word uses the -dIk factive suffix to turn the verb bozulmak (to be broken) into a noun clause. It breaks down as bozul (verb root) + duğ (factive marker -dIk, softened before a vowel) + u (3rd-person possessive matching İttifakın) + n (buffer) + a (dative case). The dative case is required because the postposition dair (about/concerning) always demands it.

Question 2

Why doesn't the 'k' in İttifakın soften to a 'ğ' (like İttifağın)?

Accepted Answer

Normally, polysyllabic words ending in 'k' undergo consonant mutation when a vowel suffix is added (like köpek becoming köpeğin). However, ittifak is an Arabic loanword. Many similar loanwords, such as hukuk, evrak, and ahlak, are exceptions to this rule and keep their hard 'k' when taking suffixes.

Question 3

Why is açıklamalara (statements) also in the dative case?

Accepted Answer

In Turkish, the verb inanmak (to believe) always requires its object to take the dative case (-a or -e). Essentially, you are saying that you do not direct your belief 'to' the statements. Because there are two different words demanding the dative case (dair and inanmak), we see it twice in this sentence.

Question 4

If I wanted to use hakkında instead of dair, how would the sentence change?

Accepted Answer

Unlike dair, the postposition hakkında does not take the dative case. It simply follows the possessive form of the noun clause. You would drop the dative -a and the buffer -n- from bozulduğuna, making it: İttifakın bozulduğu hakkında açıklamalara inanmıyorum.

İttifakın bozulduğuna dair açıklamalara inanmıyorum.

Breakdown of İttifakın bozulduğuna dair açıklamalara inanmıyorum.

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