Breakdown of Keşke dedesinin vasiyetini ve kendi itibarını daha çok gözetseymiş.
ve
and
çok
a lot of / many
daha
more
kendi
self
dede
grandfather
keşke
if only / I wish
vasiyet
will / testament
gözetmek
to consider / to look after
itibar
reputation
Questions & Answers about Keşke dedesinin vasiyetini ve kendi itibarını daha çok gözetseymiş.
How does the ending on gözetseymiş change the meaning compared to a regular past tense wish like gözetseydi?
The word breaks down as gözet (consider) + -se (wish) + -y- (buffer) + -miş (inferential past). If it were gözetseydi, it would mean a direct 'I wish he had considered (I know he didn't)'. Using -seymiş adds a layer of hearsay or inference. It means 'I wish he had considered it (based on what I'm hearing or learning after the fact).' It is often used when gossiping or commenting on a situation you didn't witness firsthand.
Why do both vasiyetini and itibarını end in -ni / -nı?
Both are specific direct objects of the verb gözetmek (to consider/protect), so they need the accusative case. Let's break down dedesinin vasiyetini: vasiyet (will) + -i (possessive: his will) + -n- (buffer) + -i (accusative). The same happens with itibarını: itibar (reputation) + -ı (possessive) + -n- (buffer) + -ı (accusative).
I know gözetmek as 'to observe' or 'to keep an eye on'. Does it mean something different here?
Yes, while gözetmek can mean to physically watch over something, in abstract contexts like this it means to 'take into consideration', 'respect', or 'protect the interests of'. He should have protected or considered his grandfather's will and his own reputation.
Could we just say itibarını without kendi?
Yes, itibarını already contains the 3rd-person possessive suffix (-ı), so it means 'his reputation' on its own. However, adding kendi adds emphasis, translating smoothly to 'his own reputation'. This contrasts it nicely with his grandfather's will.
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